The Session #32: The Nation to the East

This is my first session post.  For my regular readers (4 is plural) this will probably be unfamiliar.  It's basically a monthly theme for beer bloggers.  This month's session is hosted by girl likes beer.  The theme is the "nation to the east".

The nation directly to the east of Columbus is the Steeler Nation.  But a review of IC Lite will quickly get me shunned by the other beer bloggers.  The next country over is Portugal, no Portuguese Beers available.  Next up Spain, well Estrella Damm is a damned nice beer, but I want something more exotic.  So I'm going so far east that it is really west.  Japan.  Showing the country's flag was part of the requirements.  Kampai!

Web stuff: Hitachino Nest Red Rice Ale

Complex sake like flavors not really with malt sweet notes. yes! Hints of strawberries yes, though I would not have thought of it without the suggestion in the nose and palate. An intriguing mix of sake, malt ,and bitter notes in the finish.

Available both in Japan and U.S.A.
Malts: Pilsner, Flaked Barley

Hops:Hallertauer

Adjuncts:

Original Gravity: 1070

Alcohol Vol: 7.0%

IBU: 11

Color: Hazy Pink  It is pinkish.

What does it really taste like? You know what, it does kinda taste like strawberries. With yeast.
Cost: $4.29 for a 11.2 oz bottle
Grade: B-
Cost Adjusted Grade: C+

They used make a sake cask aged beer that was really good but hard to find. The label looked just like the one above, except that it was green, not pink.  They also have a ginger flavored beer that is ummmmm.... an acquired taste that I have not acquired.