Review – Hitachino Nest Espresso Stout

Kiuchi Brewery – Hitachino Nest Espresso Stout Purchased from Dawsons Liquors in Severna Park, MD. Poured from a 330ml bottle into a pint glass. 7.5% ABV.

Appearance: Black with a very thin, medium brown head that dissipated quickly (although I’ve seen pictures online of it with plenty of head… maybe I just pour like a girl).

Aroma: Coffee beans (more so than brewed coffee) and unsweetened cocoa. I also got the faintest hint of chalk.

Flavor: Nice bitterness from the hops and espresso beans without being overwhelming. More of the coffee comes through in this beer than in many other coffee brews.

Mouthfeel: Just the right amount of body for a stout. Not syrupy, not thin and watery.

Drinkability: I’d put this up against any coffee or chocolate stout (maybe not quite as good as Stone’s Imperial Russian or Bitter Chocolate, but close). It’s fairly heavy, so I would probably not drink more than a pint or so in one sitting.