Hitachino Nest Real Ginger Brew
Appearance: Pours a slightly hazy ruby color, with a thin beige head that thins to a persistent thin layer with nice lacing. The little chunks of ginger floating about were a bit disconcerting. Smell: Sharp acidic nose, sweet malts, and spicy ginger. Taste: Toasty malt flavors greet the palate upfront. Spicy ginger predominates in the center. Fruity sweetness appears in the finish followed by mild bitterness and spicy alcohol. Mouthfeel: Mild carbonation, smooth, oily. Drinkability: The flavors are nice, but the alcohol and spiciness in the finish can be harsh. Overall: I was worried that the ginger in this beer would be overpowering (like a Ginger Altoid), but they did a really good job of allowing the ginger to be the focus of the beer without letting it overpower the other flavors.