Kyoto Brewing Hop Idol Motueka : Background
Kyoto Brewing Hop Idol Motueka is a 6.5% sour IPA from Kyoto Brewing Company based in Kyoto. It’s part of their canned and draught lineup, with its availability being rather sporadic thoughout the year though it is part of their Hop Idol series of beers, so it could actually be a one off. As the name suggests, it’s brewed using solely Motueka hops, with Motueka (which I am guessing is the leaf type), Motueka T-45 (which I am guessing is the pellet type), Motueka Hop Kief (which I am guessing is the liquid type).
At A Glance
- ABV : 6.5%
- Style : Sour IPA
- Hops : Motueka, Motueka T-45, Motueka Hop Kief
- Adjuncts : Flaked Oats, Lactose, Rice Hulls
- IBU : 35
Sale Information
- Availability : –
- On Sale : –
- Size : 350 ml
Kyoto Brewing Hop Idol Motueka : Appearance, Aroma, and Taste
Kyoto Brewing Hop Idol Motueka poured out a very hazy golden colour with a small amount of white head that consisted of some very small bubbles. That head didn’t last long – it literally dissipated away mere seconds after taking that picture above. I wouldn’t have guessed this was a sour IPA from the appearance as it really did seem to be more of a hazy IPA but then most IPAs nowadays do have some haze to them.
With so much Motueka being used in this beer, I wouldn’t have guessed that the first aroma coming off this beer wouldn’t have been the hops. Instead, the beer had a sour funk to it that seemed more lactic acid like than Belgian style-esque. However, there was a clean lime aroma to the body of the beer, which cut through the lactic acid aroma. Alongside this was a touch of creaminess that made this beer more like a fruit beer than an IPA. A very confusing aroma for sure in an IPA. I was really confused with Kyoto Brewing Hop Idol Motueka in terms of aroma – what was it?
The body to this beer was as equally as confusing – the lactic acid bringing a slightly sour note, though not mouth puckering, it was pronounced and sharp. The Motueka hops were present with some lime notes during drinking, alongside a light, creamy body to the beer, with just a smidgen of sweetness laying underneath it all. The flavours lingered longer in the body than in the aroma, with a residual lime, creaminess just sticking around.
Kyoto Brewing Hop Idol Motueka : The Bottom Line
My brain was so confused drinking Kyoto Brewing Hop Idol Motueka – was this a fruit beer? A sour beer? A dessert beer? A simple palate of flavours were present but definitely one I’d like to try again.
Kyoto Brewing Hop Idol Motueka : Where to Buy
It can be bought online at the following places:
