6.1/10
—
Appearance 8
Aroma 6
Flavor 6
Texture 8
Overall 4.5
8% I first had this brewery at the GJBF a few weeks ago and was not impressed so when I saw this bottle at Kyoto Isetan I decided to give them another shot. Served in a pint glass it is pretty clear honey amber with a thick foamy head that leaves some spotty lacing and a creamy looking film on the surface of the beer. Malts, lemon and some ethanol booziness, almost varnish or nail polish? The taste is rough, bitter pine, dirt, a bit ashy, earthy malts an alcohol heat burning down my throat in the finish. Having poured the dregs into the glass I get some butterscotch... I agree with KyotoLefty, this isn’t all that IPA like not even an English IPA, it would be more of an Old Ale or something. Bizarre but better than the kolsch I tried, this one seems confused but with some work could be interesting. Passable.
Tried
from Bottle
on 27 Jul 2014
at 02:00
4.2/10
—
Appearance 6
Aroma 5
Flavor 4
Texture 4
Overall 3
On tap at the GJBF in Osaka 2014. Clear light gold with a thin filmy head. Malty, a bit rough and too fruity in my opinion for a Kölsch. Light bodied, kind of watery. Horrible skunky hoppy flavor, yuck. Not my thing it reminds me of a light struck grolsch. Not sure what was going on here but this beer was subpar.
Tried
from Draft
on 21 Jul 2014
at 07:37
6.8/10
—
Appearance 6
Aroma 7
Flavor 7
Texture 6
Overall 7
Backlog. Can, enjoyed in 2008. Cloudy amber color. Big, uneven head. Aroma’s: sweet fruit, sugar, herbal. Flavor is moderate sweet, fruity. Medium bodied. Long finish, starting dry and fruity, eventually with a light bitterness. More a triple than an IPA.
Tried
from Can
on 03 Nov 2013
at 03:20
6.1/10
—
Appearance 8
Aroma 6
Flavor 6
Texture 6
Overall 5.5
Medium white head. Hazy light amber body. Fruity alcoholic aroma with syrupy notes. Dry-sweetish fruity wooden roasty taste with grainy bready alcohol notes. Warming mouthfeel. Mid-bodied. Dryish chalky fruity aftertaste with alcoholic notes. Quite nice. (0.33l bottle, gift. Rated twice.)
Tried
from Bottle
on 14 Jan 2010
at 11:01
7/10
—
Appearance 6
Aroma 7
Flavor 7
Texture 8
Overall 7
From a can bought next to the brewpub. Darkish amber color, with orange. Cloudy, tall head. Aroma of yeast, amber malt, some dark fruits. Not an IPA aroma. Not enough hops. Tastes more like an old ale. Smooth and round, strong, with dark fruits, a bit sweet, ok hops but not outstanding, cherryish, port-like. Alcohol heat. This is nowhere near what I would call an IPA. It is a barley wine or an old ale. It is rather sweet, without the strong hops, relying mostly on alcohol for balance. Pretty decent, though.
Tried
from Can
on 13 Dec 2008
at 22:51
6.5/10
—
Appearance 6
Aroma 6
Flavor 7
Texture 6
Overall 7
Can bought next to the brewery. nov. 2007. Nice amber/copper color, average or darker for the style. Looks appealing, with a low head. Cloudy. Aroma its on the weak side. Amber malts, lightly roasted, with a touch of fruit and nuts. Appealing, but faint. Caramel malt flavor, with a touch of coffee. Decent roasting. Dry. Not terribly complex, but a decent alt taste. Slightly nutty, not too sweet, a bit of sour. Roasted amber malt finish with a bit of fruit, sweet and sour, some slightly lingering hops. Not terribly interesting, but a reliable alt. It is very faithful to style.
Tried
from Can
on 13 Dec 2008
at 22:48
6/10
—
Appearance 6
Aroma 6
Flavor 6
Texture 6
Overall 6
From the can, bought right across from the brewpub, Nov 2007. A rather dark gold color for a Koelsch, quite cloudy with a medium, fine and foamy head. Moderately fragrant, aroma of yeast, malt, a touch of fruit, and some hops. Taste: Very light malt character. Slightly fruity, with a bit of yeast character, not what I would call full-flavored, though either is your average Koelsch. Hops are barely noticeable. A rather uninteresting beer, though a relatively straightforward interpretation of the style, I think. Fruity finish with just enough hops to make it pleasant. No where near worth this ridiculous price.
Tried
from Can
on 13 Dec 2008
at 22:45
6.6/10
—
Appearance 6
Aroma 6
Flavor 7
Texture 6
Overall 7.5
Glowing, hazy yellow with a very crisp, white head. Grassy, light wheat, yeast, and slight citrus in the nose. Bubbly, medium body. Extremely refreshing. Grassy, some fruit, a touch of lemon, and a bit of biscuit malts. Would love to sit on my porch on a warm summer evening with a few bottles of this.
Tried
from Bottle
on 24 Jun 2008
at 07:13
7/10
—
Appearance 6
Aroma 7
Flavor 7
Texture 8
Overall 7
Dirty brown color with oranges and grapefruit in the nose. Smooth mouth that show signs of tobacco leaves, earthiness, but underlying hops. Well balanced bitter finish. Nice.
Tried
on 22 Oct 2007
at 02:27
6.1/10
—
Appearance 6
Aroma 6
Flavor 6
Texture 6
Overall 6.5
Hazy golden color, light fruity hoppy nose. Chalky mouth. Slighlty bready, chalky finish.
Tried
on 19 Sep 2007
at 07:42