HITACHINO NEST ESPRESSO STOUT ~ KIUCHI BREWERY

STOUT WEEK - Many thanks to Linda for bringing me this most delicious imperial stout from Japan. Sampled from a bottle, the beer poured black with a milky coffee coloured foamy head. The head lasted a while before leaving a cap on the beer and lacing down the glass. The aroma contained acidic coffee, dark chocolate, floral hops, dark fruits (prunes and black currants), liquorice, and roasted malts. The flavour was coffee forward, with the tastes of acidity espresso beans, notes of chocolate, vanilla dark fruits and berries, roasted malts and molasses. The finish was dry and pleasantly bittered with earthy peppery floral hops. A little warming alcohol was also noted. The stout was full flavoured and robust, but smooth at the same time. The beer was lightly carbonated and creamy. This one is definitely worth a try.

7.5 % from Naka-shi, Ibaraki Japan