Hitachino Nest Red Rice Ale - Kiuchi Brewery

kenito799

New York

4.05/5  rDev +10.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

1/2 pint pour into a tall Hitachino Nest glass at Talde, Brooklyn.

Light amber color with rosy undertones...is teh color my imagination since it's called red rice? Thin wisps of foam on teh surface that do lace the glass finely as you drink.

The aroma is very fresh, mildly yeasty, some mild hoppiness...I am not getting any typical Belgian yeast aromas, not sure why this is called a BSPA.

The palate is so light crisp and fresh, this must be the rice. Zinging across teh palate with hints of sourness, balanced really well with that crisp malt and just enough bitterness in teh finish. Unusual and very refreshing and delicious. This is a great and much more flavorful alternative quaffer to go with your yakitori or grilled hamachi collar...I wish more Japanese places would serve it.

Serving type: on-tap

02-05-2012 14:46:40 | More by kenito799

CHickman

New York

3.6/5  rDev -1.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Beer notes from 1/18/2012, on tap in NYC at Taproom 307: pours hazy amber copper color with a 1 finger creamy off white head that faded slowly, leaving excellent creamy lacing coating the sides of the glass. This brew leaves great rings of lacing, which shocked me since I thought that rice is a big part of it.

Smells of rice, grains, malt and sweet caramel, but overall the nose is soft and mellow – almost non-descript, but still OK.

Tastes sweet overall with sweet malt, caramel, rice, roasted grains, herbs, tea leaf, light floral hops, mild spices like pepper and either cinnamon or coriander; no strong in your face flavors, but nice balance and complexity. Sweet, roasty and smooth tasting overall, almost like a warm sake that cooled down.

Mouthfeel is light, smooth and yet crisp, with a light body, light crisp carbonation and a light feel. The aftertaste is roasted, and this went down smooth and easy, hiding the ABV very well. A very nice beer that was quite enjoyable and very different.

Serving type: on-tap

01-25-2012 04:29:25 | More by CHickman

Rifugium

Pennsylvania

4.05/5  rDev +10.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

First had: on tap at Teresa's, Wayne, PA

Very nice! Poured into a nondescript tulip glass, a slightly hazy orange-peach color with a golden-hued, fluffy head that retained well throughout the session. Aroma was pretty much what I'd expect sweet rice to smell like, notes of citrus zest, a bit grassy. Nice crisp taste, somewhat reminiscent of sake up front, with tones of lemon zest, apple skin, peach, and white grapes; just a touch of sourness. Bready and grassy, very light and enjoyable. Light-bodied and very drinkable.

Serving type: on-tap

11-03-2011 23:49:40 | More by Rifugium

Cyberkedi

Georgia

3.9/5  rDev +6.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pours an appetizing hazy reddish copper with a fairly thick, fine-bubbled, light tan head. Aroma is somewhat malty and a teeny bit fruity, if not strong. Flavor is - hmmm, this is interesting. Not malty, really, rather fruity, quite different from other beers I have tried, not sweet and not bitter, just tasty. Some yeasty hints. Texture is smooth and fizzy, above-average body. An interesting beer.

Serving type: on-tap

10-30-2011 18:48:19 | More by Cyberkedi

SteveO1231

Connecticut

4.38/5  rDev +19.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 5

12 oz. Nubby with a red and white label. No freshness date, in english anyways. Pours a light red when held to the light. Bright copper when I put it down. Bright white picky head that settles to thin layer of white. Aroma is very different, sour, fresh cut strawberries, cherries, yeasty, some sake and a pinch of hay. Flavor is dilicious, crisp, resfreshimg and almost thirst quenching. Like lemon and strawberry steeped ice water. The fresh strawberry flavor finds a nice little resting spot on the center kid the palate. Some crisp tartness more than hop betterness, yeasty and dry, rather hi carbonation finishes this one like seltzer water. Really a nice beer that should have it's own category. Although it's different I really enjoy the interpretation of the style. This beer is extremely drinkable, I wish I had another bottle.

Cheers!

Serving type: on-tap

01-16-2011 23:03:54 | More by SteveO1231

glid02

Georgia

3.93/5  rDev +7.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

On-tap at the Brick Store.

Pours a clear amber color that has a slight amount of a pink hue. Capping it off is a half-finger slightly off-white head that recedes into a wispy layer on top leaving light lacing.

Smells of muted medium malts with slight amounts of red fruit - strawberries mostly with hints of tart raspberries. Also present is a slightly stale aroma that's not disagreeable that I attribute to the rice.

Tastes more robust than it smells. Slightly dry medium malt flavors kick things off. Joining in shortly thereafter are strawberry flavors that are equally sweet and tart. The fruit flavors fade out near the end of the sip, allowing the malts to carry through to a crisp ending.

Mouthfeel is very good. It's got a nice thickness with very fine carbonation.

Drinkability is good. I finished my glass without a problem and could have another.

Overall this was an interesting beer that didn't really seem to fit in a specific category. Both the fruit and the malts were subtle and it would have been entirely forgettable if not for the fine carbonation. Not worth seeking out but it's not worth turning down either.

Serving type: on-tap

11-19-2010 02:44:21 | More by glid02

BretSikkink

Mexico

2.7/5  rDev -26.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 2.5

Reddish brown color, a little soapy and thin in appearance. Ring of lacy head doesn't do much for me. Strange way to start a pale ale.

Sweet aroma of grains, a hint of lactic sourness, and a rather pronounced adjunct note.

Taste of vanilla extract, with overtones of fermentation and funk. The aftertaste is acidic, and the whole thing is quite thin.

On tap this tasted like carbonated vanilla syrup. I left about half the glass.

Serving type: on-tap

11-16-2008 17:16:34 | More by BretSikkink

oracle

Indiana

3.63/5  rDev -1.1%
look: 2.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

10 oz draft pour in a chalice glass.

Wow, this is one unusual beer.

Beer arrived looking somewhat peculiar, a deep bronze tinged with redness. There was no head to speak of, just a very thin film that left no lacing.

Smelled like no other beer I've ever tried. Kinda sweet with definate wine-like sourness.

Taste was also extremely unusual. You could taste rice in it right up front along with slighly sweet notes, but the finish came hard, fast and very wine-like. It had a stinging, almost burning quality to it. The first sip was so shocking, I almost put the beer down and didn't finish it. I'm glad I didn't. After 4 or 5 sips, I got adjusted to it. The taste started to smooth out somewhat and the very unusual flavor of sake started to come in.

That's right, I said sake. I have since found out that they use sake yeast in the brewing process, which would account for the some of the very unusual flavor here.

It's very rare to find this on draft in Southern Indiana (thank you Roger), but if it comes around again, I will order it again

Serving type: on-tap

12-29-2004 13:17:23 | More by oracle

impending

California

3.51/5  rDev -4.4%
look: 2.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.75

B

33cl into a tulip. Pours a dull heavily hazed orange gold, minimal head, no lacing of merit.

The aroma is bright, yeasty, fruity with a touch of sweet citrus and a tiny mustyness that is on the cusp of being imagined.

A surprising level of candy sweetness bursts. Undefined pulpy light fruits and a nice hop bittering in the finish to keep it in check. Between light & medium bodied mouthfeel.
cheers
jd

Serving type: bottle

04-26-2013 04:34:10 | More by impending

Swedgin_Wu

Florida

4.69/5  rDev +27.8%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5

One of the most unique beers i've ever had. Even at $5 a bottle for 12 oz, it's a beer i have still drank with semi regularity.

Poured in a tulip glass

Appearance - Nice foamy head with a unique color. mix of orange/yellow with a pinkish hue. Beautiful to look at

Smell - There is no beer that smells like it. Perhaps it's the red rice, but it's hard to put a finger on it. There is defintely a ricey/sake smell to it. Little bit of sweet fruit and malt

Taste - You can not at all tell this is a 7% ABV. Can't recall a beer that hides the alcohol more than this. The rice is certainly prominent. In general, this is just a difficult beer to describe. There's some berries mixed in possibly. Finish is very smooth. No real bitterness present and a beer that is equally good after each sip.

Mouthfeel - not too watery. a medium mouthfeel...just right

Overall - Again, this is unlike any beer i've had. I actually was not a huge fan of the White Ale from Hitachino nest despite it being the highest rated Japanese beer period...(too spicy for my liking) but this little gem is a keeper. It's perhaps the most difficult beer to describe and break down in terms of smell and flavor, but it is quite amazing. Even at it's price point, it's worth having when you can. one of my favs

Serving type: bottle

03-16-2013 08:51:01 | More by Swedgin_Wu

KFBR392

Illinois

3.88/5  rDev +5.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4

Appearance: A unique hue to this brew. Looks like a combination of orange, red, and pink. Merky body look here with some pleasant carbonation. The head was present but not a major factor.

Smell: Metallic almost artifical booze aroma at the front. But undernearth that is a smokey exotic smell that is tough to put my finger on. Malt, fruits, wild rice, and creamy dairy.

Taste: Bright fruits and very earthy tones provide a very powerful body for this brew. The red rice character in this beer is also very tough to put my finger on, comes off as a marinara cream sauce. Really unique. Some fresh orange peel is very refreshing.

Mouthfeel: A nice mixture of creamy smooth and a slightly dry finish. Goes down easy!

Overall: A very easy drinking beer. Light, crisp, and very refreshing. I've been pleasantly surprised by these beers from Hitachino's Nest beers. Keep an eye out and give them a try.

Serving type: bottle

02-15-2013 01:06:42 | More by KFBR392

metter98

New York

3.71/5  rDev +1.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75

A: The beer is very hazy yellowish pink in color and has a slight amount of visible carbonation along with lots of fine particles visible floating in suspension. It poured with a thin off white head that died down, leaving some bubbles on the surface and a thin collar around the edge of the glass.
S: Light aromas of cooked rice and yeast are present in the nose.
T: The taste has flavors of fruity yeast and notes of herbal hops along with a very slight amount of bitterness.
M: It feels medium-bodied on the palate and has a moderate amount of carbonation.
O: For a beer that uses adjuncts, this beer has an interesting taste and seems a bit like sake in some aspects.

Serving type: bottle

01-20-2013 01:45:49 | More by metter98

superspak

Michigan

4/5  rDev +9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

24 ounce bottle into tulip glass, bottled in July 2012. Pours fairly cloudy golden orange color with a 1-2 finger fairly dense off white head with good retention, that reduces to a thin cap that lingers. Spotty foamy lacing clings to the glass. Aromas of big apple, pear, peach, clove, pepper, citrus zest, honey, bready grain, floral, grass, herbal, and earthy yeast esters. Very nice aromas with good balance, strength, and complexity. Taste of pear, apple, peach, clove, pepper, lemon, cracker, bready grain, honey, floral, grass, and herbal earthiness. Fair amount of peppery spiciness on the finish; with lingering notes of light fruits, citrus, pepper, clove, cracker, bready grain, honey, floral, grass, and earthiness on the finish for a good bit. Damn nice flavor balance with good complexity; nice malt and yeast spiciness balance; and zero cloying flavors present on the finish. Medium carbonation and body; with a very smooth and crisp mouthfeel that is very nice. Alcohol is very well hidden with only a slight warming noticed after the finish. Overall this is a damn nice Belgian style golden ale! Very nice complexity and balance of fruity and spicy esters with malt balance; and extremely smooth and crisp to sip on. This was a very enjoyable offering.

Serving type: bottle

01-17-2013 05:19:31 | More by superspak

doktorhops

Australia

4.2/5  rDev +14.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Hitachino - the finest of Japanese brewers (from previous drinking experiences) have crafted many fine and intricate ales of variety from a Wit Bier that competes with the best of Belgian Wits [pun intended] to the lowest of lows; Ginger beer (yeah I'm obviously not a fan of Ginger beers). With Red Rice Ale we have what could be considered their most enticing sounding of brews, Kampai!

Poured from a 330ml bottle into a St Feuillien chalice.

A: Presents with a cloudy tangelo body and off-white thin lacing for a head.

S: Interesting malty rice wine aromas mixed with sweet honey, sour yeast and bitter melon. It's quite a fusion you would expect from a Japanese ale (not the Lagers, they usually smell like other Asian Lagers).

T: It's a tangy nutty Sake flavoured roller-coaster ride we have here. Such is the difference to a Western style ale it could be off-setting for some. For me it's quite expected within the flavour-profile Japanese tend towards. We have a hint of sweet berries upfront, not as much as expected, followed by a tangy citric edge, dry rice malt centre, nut and earth flavours finish off with an almost umami aftertaste (I swear the Japanese always figure out a way to slip umami into everything). The end result, apart from an excellent flavour balance, is an ale that is quite unique and very, very Japanese.

M: Mid to light body with light carbonation.

D: Judged on the flavour alone I would have a section of the fridge portioned off for this along with Duvel, La Chouffe, Orval, Gueuze (which is a type of beer I know), Gulden Draak, and Little Creatures Pale Ale (had to have an Australian beer somewhere)... however the price! I'm not a millionaire, although I should be - I have millionaire tastes, however at this stage I can only dream of affording this quirky but tasty ale on a regular basis... those are some mighty fine dreams right there.

Food match: Japanese food + Hitachino Nest Red Rice Ale = Brain Sensory Awesomeness Overload (or BSAO for short). Specifically a Yakiniku rice burger would be ace with this brew.

Serving type: bottle

12-30-2012 17:14:08 | More by doktorhops

Cugabuh

Massachusetts

3.98/5  rDev +8.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

The appearance of this beer is quite attractive to say the least. With a foamy head that retains and bubbles right to the last drop, this beer will scream carbonation right from the get go!

Raise the beer to your lips and get a whiff of the beer. There’s a mild spiciness to it that is balanced by hints of berries.

This will hold true for the taste as well, however the berry/fruit flavors tend to jump out a little bit more. Along with this comes the distinctive rice taste that the beer gets its name for.

Furthermore, I feel the mouthfeel of this beer reflects the rice flavoring as well. Though the high carbonation jumps out at your tongue at first, a silky, smooth feeling follows - a feeling one would expect when imagining the flavor and taste of rice. I think this explains the little to no lacing this beer possesses. There is such a bubbly, foamy head, yet the silkiness of the beer allows it to roll down the glass cleanly.

Overall I am thoroughly impressed by this beer and will be trying other Hitachino brews very soon!

Serving type: bottle

12-06-2012 21:52:43 | More by Cugabuh

dbrauneis

New Jersey

3.75/5  rDev +2.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

A: Pours a hazy reddish golden yellow in color with light amounts of visible carbonation and some orange highlights when held up to the light. The beer has a half finger tall off-white head that quickly reduces to a couple of small patches of very thin film and a thin ring at the edges of the glass. Light to moderate amounts of lacing are observed.

S: Light to moderate flavors of pale malts, rice, and some light fruits (apple and pear) along with some spicy yeast.

T: Light to moderate flavors of pale malts and rice along with some slightly sour notes of light fruits (apple and pear). There are definite notes of spicy yeast and a very light amount of bitterness which fades quickly near the finish.

M: Slightly less than medium bodied with moderate amounts of carbonation.

O: Pretty easy to drink and the alcohol in this beer is well hidden - not the best example of the style but it is interesting that it is made with red rice.

Serving type: bottle

11-19-2012 02:25:50 | More by dbrauneis

Serge

Alberta (Canada)

3.73/5  rDev +1.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Bottle. It pours an off-white head over a hazy, dark golden body. The label says it should have a pink tint. The aroma is mostly fruity, but there’s also a little touch of cooked rice, in a pleasant way that is. the flavor is fruity with some berries, and some sweet pale malts as a base. Medium to full body, feeling a bit papery. The finish has a balancing bitterness. A nice one, unusual but nice, amazing with sushi.

Serving type: bottle

10-19-2012 01:46:54 | More by Serge

julian89

Georgia

2.83/5  rDev -22.9%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3

12 oz bottle to pint glass

Appearance: Pours an orange amber with a 1/2" head and hardly any retention.

Smell: A strong citrus smell and fresh hops. A flowery spring smell with a fair amount of rice.

Taste: Very light with am aftertaste of rice. Not much else, the citrus smell is dampened and doesn't come through much in the taste to me.

Mouthfeel: So incredibly light and not much carbonation.

Drinkability: Taste okay I guess, won't return to it though.

Serving type: bottle

10-04-2012 20:25:56 | More by julian89

Immortale25

Florida

3.6/5  rDev -1.9%
look: 3 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Poured into a Dogfish pint glass. Label says RR.12.06...no idea.

A- Pours a light amber color with a 1/2 inch white head that doesn't retain very well before flittering away to a thin ring around the edge of the glass and a half-sheet of soft surface foam. Unimpressive lacing.

S- Crisp adjunct smell, surely due to the rice. Light Belgian yeast aroma with some spice and faint fruit.

T- Light flavor of more rice but there's a sturdy malt backbone coupled with semi-fruity yeast notes. There's some apricot that's complimented well by the mild use of hops. Pleasantly surprised by the smoothness in relation to the ABV.

M- Kind of the only downfall, once again because of the rice. Watery and without much substance. Also could use more carbonation since it's medium-low.

O- I really enjoyed the flavor and drinkability of this beer, but it fell short in all other categories. Honestly not worth the $5 for an 11.2 oz bottle.

Serving type: bottle

09-26-2012 03:21:24 | More by Immortale25

seand

California

3.93/5  rDev +7.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

A: Pours a light amber with a fair amount of dense white head. The head dissipates to a thin ring fairly quickly, leaving temporary spots of lacing.

S: Light sweet rice; definitely reminiscent of a crappy adjunct lager, but there's more going on here. Thick sweet malt background.

T: Malty, fruity, and lightly grainy sweetness, leading into a dry finish with a touch of sweetness and touch of hops.

M: Medium to full body, medium carbonation.

Overall, quite enjoyable. I'd have it again, but I won't spend time seeking it out.

Serving type: bottle

09-03-2012 01:51:37 | More by seand

PeterM

California

3.83/5  rDev +4.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

A: slightly clouded warm tan with thin head that quickly dissipates leaving a slight ring on the top that persists.

S: fermented fruit that's hard to place (cherry?) with a sharp note

T/M: Slight effervescence that doesn't take away from the smooth character of this beer. There's a hint of bitterness that follows on behind the beautifully balanced, somewhat subtle flavors.

O: This doesn't try to hit you with ... well ... any of itself. It's very balanced and satisfying. It seems like a lighter kind of brew, but leaves a warmth that's very satisfying. Definitely drink again when a more subtle beer's called for.

Serving type: bottle

09-02-2012 04:40:58 | More by PeterM

bluejacket74

Ohio

3.5/5  rDev -4.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

11.2 ounce bottle. Served in a snifter, the beer pours a hazy dark pink color with about a half inch off-white head that that didn't stay around for too long. There's also a decent amount of lacing. Aroma is bready malt, rice, raspberries, strawberries, and some nuts. It tastes like bready malt, rice, artificial strawberries/candy, and a bit of a red wine/grape flavor. Mouthfeel/body is medium, it's a bit slick and creamy with a good amount of carbonation. I think it's a solid overall brew, but nothing about this really impressed me at all. But with that being said, I'd certainly drink it again and it is worth trying.

Serving type: bottle

08-30-2012 22:37:59 | More by bluejacket74

BigBry

Alberta (Canada)

3.5/5  rDev -4.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Pours slightly cloudy, golden with pinkish hilights, and a massive, creamy white head. Foam has a bit of reddish pink to it as well. Good retention with clinging lace strings.
Smells slightly yeasty or musty with some fruity sweetness. Taste has a whole range of flavors, sweet fruit, some spiciness like clove in a wheat beer. Lots of malt base with a slight bitterness.
Smooth and creamy, medium to full body, well balanced. Finishes a bit dry. Alcohol comes through at the end. Reminiscent of a dry sake.
A unique brew to be sure, glad I tried it when I had the chance.

Serving type: bottle

07-28-2012 03:55:38 | More by BigBry

dansmcd

Australia

3.23/5  rDev -12%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 3

A - Pours a nice pink grapefruit colour under a short foamy head, spotty lacing without great retention.

S - Musty yeast and wild rice, esters and slightly medicinal.

T - Floral and quite tart, sweet rice, alchohol, spice and yeast, lots of unique character but just not suiting me unfortunately.

M - Tangy medium body, moderate carbonation.

O - Quite different and glad I tried it. Check it out.

Serving type: bottle

05-28-2012 04:36:27 | More by dansmcd

acevenom

Louisiana

3.33/5  rDev -9.3%
look: 4 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Poured into a chalice. Pours cloudy golden with a quickly dissipating white head. There are aromas of rice and yeast. There is a mild alcohol smell as well as some sweet malts. There are flavors from the rice and the yeast. Like a previous reviewer said, this does remind me of cooked rice. There is some hop bitterness on the back end. I can also taste some of the malt and some alcohol kick. There is some citrus tartness to this as well. It's definitely interesting in the flavor department. This beer is medium bodied with abundant carbonation. It is smooth and drinks fairly well. Overall, this is a good beer, but it is a bit overpriced for what it is. I probably wouldn't purchase this one again, but you might like it more than I did.

Serving type: bottle

05-23-2012 04:07:20 | More by acevenom