Rio Tokyo Baycoast IPA is a 5.5% East Coast IPA from Rio Brewing Company, based in Roppongi, in Tokyo, Japan. It’s part of their regular lineup and can be found in both cans and on draught across Japan. This is the second time I’ve had Rio Tokyo Baycoast IPA and I wasn’t impressed with it first time around, though what hops went into the making of it is unknown as Rio Brewing Company have not publicly announced it.
Rio Tokyo Baycoast IPA : At A Glance
- Alcohol: 5.5%
- Style: East Coast IPA
- Hops: –
- Adjuncts: Wheat and oats
- IBU: –
Sale Information
- Availability: Regular
- On Sale: From August 2021
- Size: 330 ml
- Price: From ¥670
Aroma & Taste
- Notable Aroma: Light fruity aroma of citrus lemon and grapefruit. Muted sweetness to the nose.
- Notable Taste: Muted bitterness with hop astringent body – citrus and some sweetness. No discernible off flavour.
Rio Tokyo Baycoast IPA : Aroma & Taste
As mentioned earlier, this is the second time around I’ve had Rio Tokyo Baycoast IPA, and the first time, I was not impressed with it at all. However, it was cheap so there was something going for it at that time. Moreover, as the brewery had just recently opened, and that was during Covid-19 and its numerous restrictions on bars, I didn’t want to go out and out and say it was bad. Always give a brewery a chance to find its legs – some do after a prolonged period of time, while others, well, don’t.
Rio Tokyo Baycoast IPA poured out a hazy golden yellow colour with a thin amount of white head on top that faded just to a few bubbles around the side of the glass. The aroma was pretty one dimensional really with some light citrus notes of lemon and grapefruit. For something that describes itself as having lots of American hops, the nose was a bit of a disappointment really. That’s not to say it was bad, but just lacking in depth overall. There was a touch of malt sweetness once Rio Tokyo Baycoast IPA had warmed up, but I wanted more hops in the nose.
At least the body kept up with description on the can as Rio Tokyo Baycoast IPA did have a smooth, if restrained, bitterness to start off the drinking. The hops were present, once again bringing a lemon and grapefruit flavour to proceedings, but like in the nose, it was rather one dimensional overall. Again, Rio Tokyo Baycoast IPA isn’t a bad beer, case in point being that there were no off-flavours going on, but it just lacked depth and staying power.
Rio Tokyo Baycoast IPA : The Bottom Line
I would say if you end up at one of the Rio Brewing branches, then go for a pint of Rio Tokyo Baycoast IPA but I couldn’t say I’ll be in a rush to hunt a can down again.
Rio Tokyo Baycoast IPA : Where to Buy
Rio Tokyo Baycoast IPA can be bought online at the following places:
