Hitachino Nest Espresso Stout
Sampled on 7-4-10 E.09.11 printed on the bottle. Pours completely black and opaque, with a very thin tan head that quickly fades. Lacing is very thin, just a few brown rings. Smell is very complex, aromas of chocolate, coffee, and anise. Sweet, but well balanced, not overly strong and very enjoyable. Taste is huge malt right up front, strongly smoky and sweet. Flavors of anise and coffee bitterness dominate, with a sharply hoppy finish. The aftertaste is all coffee, with a slight sourness from the hops. Mouthfeel is a little light, but still slick and creamy to go with the malty flavors. Drinkability is good, but the sweetness and bitterness are a brutal combo. Overall, a good beer that's definitely worth a try.