Bighand Hematite : Background
Bighand Hematite is a 5% brown ale from Bighand Bros Beer, based in Nishijin, Kyoto. It’s part of their regular lineup and is available in both cans and on draught. The beer is named hematite, which is a heavy and relatively hard oxide mineral that constitutes the most important iron ore because of its high iron content (70 percent) and its abundance. It’s based on a traditional Northen English brown ale recipe though what hops went into the making of it are unknown at the time of writing.
Bighand Hematite : At A Glance
- ABV : 5%
- Style : Brown ale
- Hops : –
- Adjuncts : –
- IBU : 25
Bighand Hematite : Sale Information
- Availability : Regular
- On Sale : From June 2024
- Size : 500 ml
Bighand Hematite : Appearance
Smokey brown colour with a hint of reddish in the right light. The head was a thick off-white colour with flecks of tan inside of it, and left a few small streaks as the beer was drunk.
Bighand Hematite : Aroma
Malt forward, with nuts and caramel being at the forefront. A hint of toasted notes from the malt were also present. As the beer warmed up, the aroma became slighty earthy and light, with just a touch of citrus hiding behind all of it at the end.
Bighand Hematite : Taste
Light bodied and smooth drinking – this reminded me almost of a Newcastle Brown Ale – a drink that I’d never thought I’d reference on here. Like in the nose, from the start to the finish, it’s all about the malts with the roasted nuttiness and caramel flavours being front and centre of drinking. The bitterness was low, but present, and as the beer warms up, some of the earthy hoppy tones comes through to balance out against the malts.
Bighand Hematite : The Bottom Line
Brown ales are a style that aren’t common in Japan however, this is a fantastic example of one and I’d recommend it.
Bighand Hematite : Where to Buy
It can be bought online at the following places:
