Hitachino Nest Celebration Ale - Kiuchi Brewery

Jon

Illinois

3.98/5  rDev -1.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Rich amber color with a frothy white head. Very attractive.

Nose, dominated by spices, is a bit too much to be seriously inviting. Nutmeg and ginger notes, with emphasis on coriander and black pepper linger.

Flavor-wise, this beer traverses the boundaries of spiciness and maltiness, creating a pretty nice end product. Do not serve this too cold, as at a low temperature, the spiciness is just too much. As the beer warms, however, a nice, mellow doughy maltiness appears and is quite tasty. Minor astringency looms on the finish, with citrus and spice notes left behind.

Mouthfeel, creamy and full, is impressive. Nicely carbonated.

Deeply complex, yet simple enough to enjoy, this is a beer that hits hard with spice before settling into a mellow, satisfying sipper. A very nice brew with which to celebrate.

Serving type: bottle

04-07-2004 03:17:08 | More by Jon

spycow

Illinois

4/5  rDev -1.2%

03-10-2013 19:39:36 | More by spycow

JDavidRice

Connecticut

4.25/5  rDev +4.9%

03-05-2013 23:27:05 | More by JDavidRice

matjack85

Illinois

4.5/5  rDev +11.1%

01-29-2013 13:47:50 | More by matjack85

Chrixsus

Illinois

4/5  rDev -1.2%

12-27-2012 06:18:59 | More by Chrixsus

EvanWilliams

Illinois

3/5  rDev -25.9%

12-23-2012 05:47:48 | More by EvanWilliams

cliff1066

Virginia

4/5  rDev -1.2%

12-09-2012 18:57:20 | More by cliff1066

RblWthACoz

Pennsylvania

3.75/5  rDev -7.4%

10-16-2012 15:11:26 | More by RblWthACoz

KevinTK

3.5/5  rDev -13.6%

05-30-2012 15:06:43 | More by KevinTK

GinaBeerInc

California

4.25/5  rDev +4.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Don't know where to buy this, a friend gave me as a gift. After a gentle pour the amount of foamy head created was more than I expected but it finally calmed down to soft pillow of foam. The beer itself is a hazed brownish orange with very fine bubbles of carbonation. Flavor is settled and plain with a sweet malty base and touch of spice that sticks out enough to make for a decent holidays ale.

Serving type: bottle

02-06-2012 19:15:00 | More by GinaBeerInc

jfcaa193

Connecticut

4/5  rDev -1.2%

02-05-2012 19:36:25 | More by jfcaa193

likeemdark

California

4/5  rDev -1.2%

01-27-2012 13:59:35 | More by likeemdark

N8DAGR8

Maine

4/5  rDev -1.2%

01-09-2012 14:30:11 | More by N8DAGR8

Knapp85

Pennsylvania

3.3/5  rDev -18.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

This one poured out as a brown color with a tan colored head on top. The smell of the beer was a little on the spicy side but nothing too crazy really. The taste of the beer didn't really give off the vanilla I was hoping for like it said on the label. The herbs and spices took over most of the flavor. The mouthfeel of this beer was a little on the heavier side. Overall this beer wasn't too bad but I felt a little disappointed by it.

Serving type: bottle

01-01-2012 02:43:50 | More by Knapp85

HattedClassic

Virginia

3.95/5  rDev -2.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Appearance: A dark and brownish amber color. The head quickly dissipates and very little to no lacing.

Smell: A strong vanilla smell with a variety of spices such as cinnamon and some orange.

Taste: As it smells. The vanilla dominates over most of the pallate while it's buoyed by the spices. The orange taste is very weak and tends be dominated by the other tastes.

Mouthfeel: No carbonation and a smooth body.

Overall: A pretty nice beer and somewhat indulgent winter warmer.

Serving type: bottle

12-22-2011 02:08:52 | More by HattedClassic

skipwill2

Connecticut

4/5  rDev -1.2%

12-10-2011 17:33:45 | More by skipwill2

rab53

Massachusetts

4.25/5  rDev +4.9%

12-02-2011 03:10:48 | More by rab53

brandoman63

Illinois

4.5/5  rDev +11.1%

11-30-2011 19:29:37 | More by brandoman63

winegourmet76

Texas

5/5  rDev +23.5%

11-23-2011 04:42:15 | More by winegourmet76

woodychandler

Pennsylvania

3.53/5  rDev -12.8%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

I actually "found" a bottle of the 2006 vintage (the one pictured with the geisha) in my basement and while it is aged, at 9%, I am hopeful that it may still be drinkable.

From the bottle: "Ale brewed with spices and vanilla beans [...] coriander, orange peel, nutmeg, cinnamon and vanilla beans".

I used a very gentle pour and still got a finger of tawny head with decent retention. I felt thankful that I did not experience a gusher. Color was a very cloudy orangish-amber. Nose had an odd spiciness, like the nutmeg, coriander and cinnamon were still hanging in, but not in the same way they once were. Mouthfeel was full and creamy with a distinct cinnamon spiciness and maybe some nutmeg, but most everything else had faded. Finish was spicy, dry, but not as satisfying as it probably once was. I would recommend that if you still have any 2006 vintage to hot delay in drinking it. It is not going to improve at this point.

Serving type: bottle

07-13-2011 01:49:05 | More by woodychandler

GregPearson33

Massachusetts

4.15/5  rDev +2.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Appearance/Smell:
Murky copper/amber with a really frothy multi-finger head that settled down after a few minutes. Much lighter than I thought I would see, but looks tasty. Smells of rich caramel, plum, honey, cinnamon. Even though this beer is close to 2yrs old there is absolutely no funk or contamination discernible. On my second whiff I just got something like apple pie? Anyway, if those flavors weren't conclusive, it smells absolutely delicious!

Taste:
Not quite what I expected from the smell. It's a fairly tart and dominated by dark fruitiness. There's definitely some sweet malt, but it's not as bready as most winter warmers are. Definitely not as spiced either. The cinnamon/allspice/nutmeg that dominate the style is present, but definitely not in the forefront. Wayyy more compatible with my tastes than the brews I've recently had in the same style (Avery Old Jubilation, Harpoon Winter Warmer).

Mouthfeel/Drinkability:
Mid-low level of carbonation gives it a solid drinkability (for a 9% beer), but it's definitely a sipper. There is a vibrant mouth-coating that lingers pleasantly and fades without any adverse back-end bitterness. Again, much better than some of the more spice dominated Winter Warmers out there.

All in all, fantastic winter beer. One of the first I've had from Hitachino (the White Ale was pretty great, but its a bank-breaker) and piques my interest to try more!

Serving type: bottle

01-24-2011 01:44:06 | More by GregPearson33

corby112

Pennsylvania

4.03/5  rDev -0.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

2004 vintage:

Pours a very dark chestnut brown color with dark ruby/blood orange edges hen held to a light source and a frothy, pillowy tyo finger yellowish beige head. Very good retention, only slowly fading into a lasting cap.

Spicy aroma with lots of peppery, zesty character as well as some dark fruit, faint hops and sweet alcohol. Hints of pepper, coriander and clove along with some cherry and other dark berries. As it gets warmer the malt becomes more prominent with lots of caramel character.

The bottle opened with a loud hiss so I was a bit concerned with oxidization but it is pleasantly only faint. Medium bodied which is on the fuller end with soft carbonation up front and a very heavy spice character. Lots of pepper, coriander, clove, cinnamon, ginger and nutmeg immediately which is slowly countered by a silky caramel malt presence and a good bit of dark fruit. Hints of toffee, hazelnut, dark cherry, plum, fig and other berries. I've had this fresh and it has definitely mellowed out with six years age. The ABV is very well masked with only some slight alcohol sweetness but no heat or warmth in the finish resulting in a complex quaffable beer. The intense spice character hurts the drinkability a bit but this beer has aged nicely.

Serving type: bottle

01-08-2011 04:56:41 | More by corby112

rtepiak

Poland

4.4/5  rDev +8.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

a vintage 2007 had in nov '10

wow. completely textbook perfect with an edge of something nice and delectably warm, carbonated, malty, and spiced. pour is a cloudy dark amber with a very ample head about 3 fingers.. nose of orangepeel, clove and coriander, some burnt and toasty and a nice thick blanket of esters and toasty malt. the palate gave way to something fantastic of a blend of all those qualities. nice and toasted sesame seeds, clove rich, candied orangepeel and a backbone of bit-o-honey and chocolate. it tastes like liquid fruit cake. every aspect of a winter warmer spot on.

Serving type: bottle

11-06-2010 03:36:00 | More by rtepiak

generalnotsew

Tennessee

4.1/5  rDev +1.2%
look: 3 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Not sure what they are going for here but the body is very muddy, muddled and murky. Doesn't really look appealing at all but this is a first for me so I will still give it an average. Smell is full of nutmeg and cinnamon with a twist of orange. Reminds me of thanksgiving dinner with a dash of Christmas. Now I am getting a good eggnog vibe. Good job on this part. The citrus really comes thru in the front. Doesn't smooth out much but the spices come thru in dashes in the end and mellows out into a mostly nutmeg taste. Mouthfeel is clean and mellow. Although tasty not something I can picture drinking a lot of. Good stuff but I would like to point out trying Lakewood Holiday Spice Lager if you like this.

Serving type: bottle

10-28-2010 00:47:30 | More by generalnotsew

CHADMC3

Connecticut

4.33/5  rDev +6.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

2008 edition

Pours a deep copper to amber body that lies buried beneath an off white, massively bubbled and foamy head that quickly dissipates leaving a loose lacing behind.

The rich spices waft from the glass and are highlighted by the nutmeg, cinnamon, coriander, and vanilla. As this beer has aged a couple of years at this point, it appears to contain some of the vinous qualities one may find in a barleywine. The abundant head also seems to arouse some yeast aromas.

The flavor is a bit different with vinous characters and dark fruit immediately hitting the palate followed by the cinnamon and nutmeg spices, and vanilla. This could be a product of the aging.

This warmer is medium to full in body with medium carbonation and a nice warming sensation towards the finish.

I thoroughly enjoyed this beer. The flavors and character are very complex and different from most of the style and are extremely varied.

Serving type: bottle

07-11-2010 23:51:46 | More by CHADMC3