Hitachino Nest Extra High (XH) - Kiuchi Brewery

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BA SCORE
85
good
-
419 Ratings

rAvg: 3.79
pDev: 13.19%
Reviews: 311
Hads: 108

Ratings Help

Brewed by:
Kiuchi Brewery

Japan

Style | ABV
Belgian Strong Dark Ale | 8.00% ABV

Availability: Year-round. bottle (298), on-tap (13).

Notes:
From Japan's most prestigious brewery, Hitachino Nest XH (Extra High) is a strong Belgian Brown Ale, matured in shochu (distilled sake) barrels. Chinook & Styrian Goldings hops are use

View: Beers (18) | Events (0)

Reviews

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Reviews by damndirtyape:

damndirtyape

Ohio

4.03/5 rDev +6.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

11.2oz bottle poured into a snifter. Date stamp on bottle says "XH 12 02".

Appearance: Cloudy-translucent coppery-orange-brown. Off white head died back pretty quickly on pouring to just a ring at the edge. Tiny islands of lacing noted but they would slide back down the side of the glass.

Smell: Yeast, hint of phenol, pineapple, hint of orange, caramelized malt....but this is on the swirl. Let the foam die back and the aroma is just mildly fruity at first, but as it warms up there is that distinctive Sake smell. Quite an interesting beer.

Taste: Lots of flavors going on here - hard to pull them all out. When first poured and still a bit cold the beer was more sweet in character and reminded me of a Belgian dark. But as it warmed up, more flavors came out and leave everything crammed together. Caramelized malts and Belgian-style yeast flavors up front (lots of fruit), then some warming alcohol in the middle with some Sake flavor. The finish is best when the beer has warmed up with definite orange citrus and spicy finish.

Mouthfeel: Light carbonation, but otherwise thick and a bit creamy. Some hop oils definitely sticking to the teeth with this one.

Overall/Drinkability: A very interesting beer and it's hard to characterize. It has aspects of a Belgian dark...and it's not a Belgian dark. I'd almost say it would be a better match for a Belgian Strong Pale Ale instead - reminds me of Duvel at times. But even if it is misclassified, it's still a good beer. A slow sipper and a one-at-a-time beer (I don't think I could finish a second in one evening) it's definitely something that grabs your attention. Interesting enough that I could see buying it again though, and so while only one per evening with this one, I think it's still quite drinkable in that I'd be willing to lay down some money again for this one.

Serving type: bottle

07-31-2012 00:00:44 | More by damndirtyape

More User Reviews:

Australia

3/5 rDev -20.8%

05-22-2013 04:31:07 | More by pin

Artjsantos

Ohio

4.25/5 rDev +12.1%

05-10-2013 15:26:08 | More by Artjsantos

Rathakem

Oregon

3.5/5 rDev -7.7%

05-10-2013 06:16:52 | More by Rathakem

ngeunit1

California

4.11/5 rDev +8.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A - Hazy amber-brown with a finger of frothy tannish-khaki head. Fades normal.

S - Sweet caramel malts, Belgian yeast,. spices, sake, oak, vanilla, and a bit of booze.

T - Sweet dark caramel malts, Belgian yeast, oak, sake, Belgian yeast, some spices, bit of vanilla and booze.

M - Medium-full bodied with moderate carbonation. Smooth with a sweet warming finish.

D - Nicely balanced and the sake flavors are a nice touch.

Serving type: bottle

05-10-2013 05:00:59 | More by ngeunit1

civicm87

New York

3.5/5 rDev -7.7%

05-08-2013 23:43:32 | More by civicm87

schaffer9252

New York

3.75/5 rDev -1.1%

05-04-2013 14:49:51 | More by schaffer9252

Texasfan549

Texas

4/5 rDev +5.5%

04-25-2013 01:43:30 | More by Texasfan549

kjkinsey

Texas

4/5 rDev +5.5%

04-25-2013 01:42:53 | More by kjkinsey

Tone

Missouri

3.68/5 rDev -2.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.75

Pours a cloudy, copper color. 1/2 inch head of a white color. Great retention and great lacing. Smells of sweet malt, slight spice, hops, hint of roasted malt, hint of citrus, and a hint of alcohol. Fits the style of a Belgian Strong Dark Ale. Mouth feel is sharp, crisp, dry, and has a average carbonation level. Tastes of sweet malt, hint of roasted malt, citrus hops, hops, hint of sugar, and a hint of rice. Overall, good appearance, aroma, and decent body.

Serving type: bottle

04-18-2013 18:14:24 | More by Tone