Country of Origin: Japan
Availability: Probably limited quanities of the 2004. The 2005, a 7½% ABV, is already in stores.
Price comparison: About 2½ times the price of the standard American macrobrew.
Alcohol percentage by volume: 9% at bottling, over a year ago. Possibly higher now due to continued fermentation.
Cute bottle/label? Chunky brown 11.2 ounce bottle; white label depicting a jolly Asian fellow celebrating the New Year in brightly-colored robes. The label also sports the tiny owl that is the Hitachino Nest logo.
Appearance: Opaque beige with a thick white froth and clingy lace.
Scent: Heavy sugars and malt, followed by the promised vanilla, coriander, and citrus peel.
Flavor: Sweet, but not harshly so. Very smooth mouthfeel with hints of cinnamon, orange peel, and malt in the front, to a puckery finish with not much hops.
Impressions: I've seen this listed as an Eisbock (ice-brew), but that's a bit misleading. What's going on here is that Hitachino brews this Celebration beer annually, combining beer ingredients via sake procedures and additions such as spices and orange zest. The cold-brewing concentration process is similar to that of brewing Eisbock, but the finished products are dissimilar.
Eisbocks go nicely with pungent foods such as cheese or sweet foods like fruit or dessert, whereas Celebration beer, with all its complexity, would be overpowering in that scenario. I felt it was a little high in alcohol content to serve as a session beer, so I put it with Chinese takeout and was happy with the pairing.
Will I buy this beer again? This is a special, and a little high in price, but I'd say it was drinkable, though somewhat sweet for my taste. However, of all the Hitachino Nest offerings, I like the Celebration best.
Rating:
3½ out of 5 cute beer glasses
Reviewed: April 8, 2005
