Happy Hour with Rikumo: Hitachino Nest Espresso Stout
Hitachino Nest : Espresso Stout and our cast iron wrench bottle opener.
The Happy Hour with Rikumo series explores entertainment possibilities from a distinctly Japanese perspective. We've spent the last installments tasting Japanese beers--see our other posts on Sapporo, Hitachino Nest White Ale, Asahi Super Dry, and Hitachino Nest Red Rice Ale.
The Rikumo office is usually filled with the smell of coffee by 9 a.m. Monday through Friday. So when we saw that Hitachino Nest carried an espresso stout, we had to try it. We've grown fond of the Hitachino line for their charming owl mascot, woodblock-esque label, and the picture of the Hitachino factory circling the bottles' necks.
Hitachino Nest: Espresso Stout has an ABV of 7.5% and pours very smooth.
Just like any good espresso, the Hitachino Nest Espresso Stout has a rich, dark brown hue and robust coffee aroma. After the immediate coffee flavor subsides, we tasted elements of dark chocolate and vanilla. The aftertaste is sweet, slightly roasted and only a tad bitter.
We decided to pair this deep, dark brew with our cast iron bottle opener. Crafted in Takaoka, Japan, this bottle opener is coated in a matte black lacquer glaze called Urushi. The glaze gives it a rich finish and prevents rust.
Our cast iron bottle opener and the Hitachino Owl
The Hitachino Nest Espresso Stout would work well as an after dinner drink with desserts or as an autumnal beverage. Have a great weekend and join us again next week for another Happy Hour with Rikumo!