Beer Dude: Hitachino Nest Beer XH

Beer Dude: Hitachino Nest Beer XH: " What an interesting beer! Perhaps interesting is a less than positive way to begin a review, but I'll just say that I thought this beer..."

Hitachino Nest Beer XH

     What an interesting beer! Perhaps interesting is a less than positive way to begin a review, but I'll just say that I thought this beer was great. What makes Hitachino Nest Beer XH interesting is all of the variables used in making this type of beer. This is true craft beer, Japanese style.
When I taste an Imperial Stout that has been oak barrel, bourbon barrel, or wine barrel aged, I can relate to the bite and flavor because I have a frame of reference. I am familiar with the flavors and am able to taste the various components and enjoy the experience. That said, I'm no stranger to Sake either. When I tasted Hitachino Nest Beer XH, I didn't know what to expect. I found myself trying to find a reference point from this beer to others that I had drank before and couldn't quite put my finger on it.
 When  poured, out came a clear reddish amber beer with a very lively head with nice lacing. The smell reminded me of oranges and clove. The taste didn't disappoint either. There was a bit of a tart bite up front which I think was the brettanomyces. There was some sweetness and fruitiness that developed as the beer warmed. I would like to be able to say that this flavor was due to the "Sake" cask, but the casks are Shochu. This is where some light needs to be shed. In Japan, Sake is a general term referring to all alcohol type beverages.
 By contrast, Shochu is distilled and isn't necessarily Sake, the brewed, lower alcohol content drink we North Americans would like to call it. This is merely the difficulty of direct translation. My intention for pointing this out is merely to enlighten and to suggest that I believe some of the flavors of this beer could be attributed to the fermentable used in the making of the distilled Shochu within the cask.
     In the end, Hitachino Nest Beer XH was an exciting beer worthy of purchase if the opportunity presents itself. I will buy more if I can get my hands on it. Cheers.  


*(It is important to note that the website link shows a beer with a very similar label adding Extra High and listing an abv of 8%. The beer I have reviewed here was 7% and the label is reflected in the photo.)

Beer Dude: 'Dark Force' by HaandBryggerie

Beer Dude: 'Dark Force' by HaandBryggerie: " I'm so pleased to have been given this beer for my birthday. This one was right up my alley. Dark Force by HaandBryggerieHaandBryggerie i..."

'Dark Force' by HaandBryggerie

   I'm so pleased to have been given this beer for my birthday. This one was right up my alley. Dark Force by HaandBryggerie is a double wheat,  Russian Imperial Stout  from Norway with an abv of 8.5%. 
     The bottle pour produced a deep and dark beer with a tall coffee colored head disappearing after a few minutes leaving a moderate amount of lacing. The nose directly translated to the taste.  Bourbon, coffee and chocolate as well as licorice flavors carried from nose to tongue. For me, this was a well balanced beer with very little alcohol bite. 
     This beer had a lighter yet smooth mouth feel  when compared to other Russian Imperial Stouts which to me, was possibly due to its double wheat crafting. This is not a bad thing which could have led me to drink another if I had it on hand.
     This beer is well worth trying. You might find this beer available at Olive Tree Markett in Ocean Beach or at Distillers Outlet in Poway. Both of these locations have a great selection of beers with motivated and knowledgeable staff. Give it a try and let me know what you think. If there are any beers any of you think I should try, by all means, say so in the comments section.
     
     

Pizza Port Older Viscosity

     When I hear about any beer that is an Imperial Stout aged in oak bourbon barrels, I'm interested. Even more so if that beer is crafted by Pizza Port Brewing Company of San Marcos, CA.  Older Viscosity is just the kind of beer that gets my motor running.
     Poured at 50 degrees into a snifter, this 375 ml bottle of jet black beer produced very little head. Although there was a pop of at the opening as well as lingering of bluish gas in the lumen of the bottle, the beer seemed rather calm. My first thought was that the beer was too cold or that the beer had somehow been mishandled. I had driven from San Diego to Las Vegas with the beer under refrigeration and after 5 seconds trying to explain my situation, I gave up and just drank the beer.
     The Bourbon notes hit my nose adding to my excitement as I began my taste. Bourbon, chocolate and hints of raisin were the initial tastes I got as well as a touch of the alcohol one gets with a 12% beer. Definitely pleasant and very well balanced. I decided to take my time with this one not only because of the abv, but I think I might have made a mistake and served it too cold. I continued to enjoy this beer as it warmed and noticed its wonderful mouth feel. There was a creamy, smooth texture that I could feel coating my mouth.
     I found this to be a valuable beer experience and consider myself lucky to have purchased three bottles of this when I did and have learned that I will serve it at a warmer temperature. Obviously this will cellar well so I will look forward to enjoying this beer in a few years. This beer is definitely worth grabbing and holding.

Beer Dude: Allagash Curieux 2007

Beer Dude: Allagash Curieux 2007: " I read once that 'patience is bitter, but its fruit is sweet.' I don't know if that means Rousseau enjoyed bottle conditioned beers or..."

Allagash Curieux 2007

     I read once that "patience is bitter, but its fruit is sweet." I don't know if that means Rousseau enjoyed bottle conditioned beers or not, but  his saying definitely applies to the 2007 Allagash Curieux  reviewed here. This beer was from a batch of the 670 cases bottled in November 2007. I have had this Belgian style tripel on draft before and the quality did not compare to the bottle held for the past few years, and consumed last night.
     As the label states, this beer ages very well and proved to be an experience I richly enjoyed. I'm a fan of the oak bourbon barrel aged beers in general. There's something about the smooth bourbon notes in the finish that keeps me coming back.
     This beer definitely grabbed my attention with the vanilla and bourbon flavors and smooth mouth feel at the first sip. Served in a tulip glass at about 50 degrees, the honey colored beer produced a tall, fine, white head characteristic of Belgian ales. The beer opened nicely as it warmed and maintained nice lacing in the glass.  I recommend that one take their time in drinking this 11% abv (alcohol by volume) beer. Not only because of the abv,  but the beer seemed to evolve well as it warmed.
     This beer is a bit on the pricey side at $16 compared to some of the other beers out there. Allagash Curieux is well worth the expense if you like to hold and age beers. Remember, life is too short to drink bad beer.
    
    

Stone Double Bastard 2008

          I was feeling Friday from the moment I woke up Friday morning. Four day work weeks are great and all, but I had been working all week to cram the fifth day in. Sound familiar?  I put the 2008 Double Bastard, decade anniversary  into the fridge as my reward. Released in November of 2008, this 10.5% abv Double IPA pours a medium caramel color with a nice cream colored head. The nose was powerfully floral with an obviously high IBU. The first sip was full of intensity. Definitely a Double Bastard.

Poured into a Stone 14th Anniversary tasting glass for the primary reason of self control. If I pour this beer into a taller glass, I drink the beer that much faster. I'm just trying to extend my pleasure.  Ya know what I mean? This was a fantastic beer, I'm looking forward to this years release with great anticipation. Remember, life is too short to drink bad beer.

Beer Dude: Val-Dieu Grand Cru

Beer Dude: Val-Dieu Grand Cru: "What is a Grand Cru? What does it mean? Is it a style of beer? Where does the term come from? In the mid 19th Century, Napoleon III ord..."

Val-Dieu Grand Cru

What is a Grand Cru? What does it mean? Is it a style of beer? Where does the term come from? 

     In the mid 19th Century, Napoleon III ordered the creation of a classification system for all of the wines of the Bordeaux Region. This  resulted in a multi-level system with the top level being designated as the Grand Cru. In English this term is loosely translated as "great growth" and it used when the highest potential for greatness has been shown. This is not a one time statement of quality but of the potential for the Vintner or Brewer.

     Great Dude! How does this relate to the Val-Dieu? Well, in 1997 the Brasserie de l'Abbaye du Val-Dieu was established in the abbey farm, and began brewing their abbey beer in the tradition of the former Val-Dieu Monks. They arrived at the fantastic beer that is the Val-Dieu Grand Cru. This quadruple Belgian Ale pours a dark Mahogany color with rich and creamy head that had only a moderate retention. The lacing was moderate as well. I found the flavor to be fantastic including Cinnamon, pear, and chocolate. Well balanced without the overwhelming yeasty taste of brettanomyces up front or in the finish. 

     Fortunately this beer can be be found year round and is worth having a few on hand. I know Olive Tree Market in O.B has this on the shelf now. The beer will pair nicely with all kinds of food. I really enjoyed the beer with peanut butter filled pretzels from Costco. 

Cheers!