Hitachino Espresso Stout may not be as popular as Hitachino White Ale, but it's a great choice for those who love coffee and beer. Until a few years ago, Hitachino beers were rarely available outside Japan. Now, you can find them easily in Williamsburg (Brooklyn), San Francisco and other trendy, beer savvy areas, but you may have to do a little searching elsewhere.
Appearance
Hitachino Brewery's packaging is easily recognizable. Colorful Japanese woodblock-style prints dominate the labels, while a picture of the Hitachino factory adorns the bottles' necks.
Pour the beer from the brown bottle into a glass and you'll likely notice that it is a deep black brew. Its inky body is topped with a moderate caramel-tan head that quickly dissipates into thin, lacy lines before disappearing altogether.
Pour the beer from the brown bottle into a glass and you'll likely notice that it is a deep black brew. Its inky body is topped with a moderate caramel-tan head that quickly dissipates into thin, lacy lines before disappearing altogether.
Aroma & Flavor
Hitachino Espresso Stout's aroma is like a classic stout (chocolaty, malty and hoppy) spiked with bold espresso notes. Its full-on, roasty, bittersweet espresso flavor is backed with a bittersweet, chocolaty stout flavor. It's not terribly complex, but it is smooth and enjoyable, despite its relatively high alcohol content of 7.5% ABV.
Aftertaste & Pairings
This coffee stout's lingering espresso flavor has a hint of malt and a funky edge, much like an Indonesian coffee.
I recommend a cross-cultural pairing with tiramisu or French pastries.
I recommend a cross-cultural pairing with tiramisu or French pastries.
