Hitachino Red Rice Ale

Last Updated: 2/9/2021

Hitachino Red Rice Ale is the bold and malty sibling to the famous Kiuchi White Ale. If you’re looking for a Japanese beer with backbone and complex character, this is one of the best examples on the market.

This post will give you the tasting notes of this unique craft beer. You’ll also discover where to buy your own, get pairing recommendations, service tips, and more.

Hitachino Red Rice Ale Tasting Notes

Hitachino Red Rice Ale is an unmistakably pretty beer in appearance. But hidden behind the Asamurasaki rice-derived pink highlights is a malty and firm ale.

It roughly fits into the Belgian Golden Strong Ale (BJCP) category. Think Duvel, but only as an loose approximate. Even at first glance, this mildly hazy bronze to reddish orange craft brew looks like something entirely different. Head is pinkish-tan and fluffy, while the volume and retention are only modest.

Looking past appearances, Hitachino Nest Red Rice Ale has a more conventional profile. It has a moderate aromatic intensity that’s malt-forward. Biscuit, caramel, and dried grain notes mix with fruity qualities like raspberry, strawberry, and green apple. Hop aromatics are restrained and citrusy. 

The flavor of Hitachino Nest Red Rice Ale is a continuation of the aromatics. Semi-sweet honeyed, bready, and toasted malt lead the way. But the moderate to elevated carbonation keeps things clean and the finish is crisp and dry. Red Rice Ale has a soft texture and just enough hop bitterness to keep things balanced.

Overall, it’s pretty smooth considering this Hitachino’s 7% ABV. Other tasting notes include orange zest, tomato, and forest floor. Admittedly, this is a quirky beer, but also delicious. Red Rice Ale is expertly brewed and is far more than a novelty. And as I’ll get into below— it has an affinity with food.  

Finding Hitachino Red Rice Ale

This Hitachino can be challenging to find, depending on where you live. Asian grocers, Japanese restaurants, and izakayas are all places to check.

You’ll likely have more success finding this beer on the retail side. Online retailers that deliver are the fastest option.

Hitachino Red Rice Pairing Recommendations

Hitachino Red Rice Ale is a very nice match with seafood. Oily fish like mackerel, salmon, sardines, etc. are a great base. This beer scrubs away fishy flavors and accentuates umami. Sushi and sashimi preparations of white fish, stronger flavored fish, and shellfish will also be complimented by this beer.

This Hitachino beer will also do very well with nitsuke (simmered dishes) and any fish you’d like. Shioyaki (salt-grilled) preparations of fish are also something to seek out. Raw oysters are also highly recommended with Red Rice Ale.

Looking outside of Japanese cuisine, Thai and Indian food and/or dishes heavy in basil, salty cheese, cream, or garlic will often pair quite nicely. 

Service Tips for Hitachino Red Rice Beer

Hitachino Nest Red Rice Ale should be served chilled, of course. But there’s room for flexibility. Downright cold, it will be cleaner and brighter. Closer to room temperature the fruitiness and savory malt characteristics will become more pronounced, as will the alcohol content.

A Belgian-style tulip glass is ideal for serving. A red wine glass would also show this craft beer very well. If you must, a standard shaker pint is solid too. Just avoid drinking it straight from the bottle if possible. 

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Hitachino Nest Beer and Kiuchi Shuzo

Brewery: Kiuchi Shuzo 木内酒造  

Brands: Hitachino Nest Beer, Kikusakari 菊盛 Sake, Kiuchi 木内

Location: Naka, Ibaraki  EST: 1823     Official: 日本語 / English

Facebook: @kiuchibreweryEN  Instagram: @hitachino_brewing and @kiuchibrewery

Hitachino Nest Beer (常陸野ネストビール) is one of the great producers of Japanese craft beer. Their White Ale Belgian-style Wit (and their owl logo) are icons of Japan’s relatively recent craft brew movement. But long before this iconic beer brand came to be— Kiuchi Shuzo was brewing sake (and distilling shochu). Those efforts continue today under the Kikusakari brand, while their shochu is primarily limited to ceremonial sanaburiさなぶり shochu made from sake kasu (kasutori). Other products include umeshu, yuzushu, Western spirits— including whisky, and even canned cocktails. Medium-soft well water is used for brewing. 

Hitachino Nest Beer officially began in 1996. Since 2008 their craft beer has been brewed at the modern Nakuda Brewery (額田醸造所). It’s a large facility but quality has not suffered. In 2020 the Yasato Distillery (八郷蒸溜所) goes online for the production of whisky.