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When thinking about beer from Japan one generally does not think of innovative brewing. Actually, Japanese consumers are known for coveting some of the best products on the market and beer is no exception.
For example, Rouge’s Chocolate Stout was made available in Japan long before it was marketed in the U.S. As a matter of fact, Rogue was the first micro in Japan. Rogues signature bottle etching is specifically designed for the Japanese market in traditional Japanese Kanji.
In the world of craft brewing it seems that everyone is making a Wit or White beer. I could rattle off various versions, but being the Beer Predator I’m prompted to seek out the extreme.
The Kiuchi Brewery, located in Naka-Gunibaragi, Japan began making sake in 1823, and since 1996, they have been making high quality non-traditional beers. Hitachino Nest White is a Wit beer brewed with orange juice. It is spicy with coriander up front finishing with a full-bodied orange flavor.
Southampton Publick House located in Southampton, Long Island and Brouwerij ‘Tij from Amsterdam brew Double Wits which both weigh in at 7%. ‘Tij Double Wit is full bodied with hints of citrus and orange. It has a long finish with spicy flavors and yeasty overtones. Southampton Double White has the aroma and taste of orange and coriander with a wheat finish, which is slightly sour. The finish reminds me of L’Abbaye Des Rocs Blanche Des Honelles — almost Gueuze-like.
On to beers made with honey. I am not going to discuss the flavorless gimmick honey beers that many of you may be familiar with. There is no one particular style that owns this ingredient. Instead it is up to the skill of the brewer to mix honey with various other spices, hops and fruits. When beers are brewed with honey they are usually full bodied, the honey flavor in the forefront.
From Belgium come four beers made with honey: Boskeun from De Dolle is an Easter beer made with pale malt and native honey. It is full bodied and sweet with honey fruit and spice melding together with a warming finishthree distinctly different beers made with honey. La Binchoise’s Biere De Ours 8.4% has a delicate combination of yeast, honey and faint hops. Beer De Miel from Dupont is a Saison with earthy, dry, sharp hops balancing the sweetness of the honey. Barbar Winter Bok from Lefebvre 8.2% (they produce other honey beers as well) is a malty, rich bock with 2.5 percent honey added. From France La Choulette De Noel 7% is a Biere De Garde. The honey is apparent as soon as you pour this beer into your glass. This amber brew has hints of anise, caramel and sweet malt with a strong honey flavor.
In the U.S., Great Lakes Christmas Ale is a complex, well-balanced beer spiced with ginger and cinnamon with honey dancing on your tongue throughout. Last, but certainly not least, is Mad Elf Holiday Ale from Troegs brewery in Pennsylvania. This high octane beer weighs in at 11% and holds the alcohol very well. It is brewed with cherries and honey and has the taste of fruitcake.
For the ultimate honey experience I would suggest drinking all of these beers sooner rather than later before the honey melds with the other flavors and fades.
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