Passific: Chako (Japan: IPA: 7% ABV)
Visual: Slightly hazy darkened gold body. Lots of small bubbled carbonation and a large loose bubbled head.
Nose: Pine needles. Resinous. Dry apricot skin. Chopped banana. Sweet white grapes.
Body: Good bitterness. Juicy. Vanilla. Apricot syrup. Green grapes. Menthol touch. Brown bread. Resinous. Pine needles imagery.
Finish: Apricot syrup. Greenery. Solid bitterness. Sulphur touch. Bready bitterness. Minty touch. Growing bitterness over time. Resinous. Grapefruit.
Conclusion: Yes, even in Japan I am obsessed with west coast IPAs, and thankfully this is a pretty good one. It is juicier than most, feeling slightly less dry because of that initially, but as the bitterness comes to the fore so does a drier side of the character, and the resulting assault feels even more bracing for its temporary reprieve.
Initially the beer comes in with resinous and pine needles in the aroma which are so west coast IPA, and hints of the fruitier character with apricot and, unusually, banana notes coming out – but generally concentrating on showing that resinous character, admittedly with more restrained bitterness than you would expect.
Then the body, as mentioned it was initially quite juicy, with even touches of a fruit syrup style, but then that drops sharply into that resinous and bitter character. Now there are just fruit hints that lead into an impressively bitter, just lightly sulfur touched, long lasting hoppy finish. Then it allows just a perfectly subtle touch of the traditional grapefruit tartness as a fresher release.
A slightly juicier, fresher west coast than some, but still firmly in that style and I appreciate the variety it brings – the sweeter bits make the bitter kick more potent
A very welcome visit to the west coast in Japan, well worth a drink.
Background: During my time in Japan I returned to my favorite bottle shop – Tanakaya Liquor store. It is still as great as ever. Tons of whisky, lots of Japanese craft beer, tons of American craft beer and a bunch from around the rest of the world, sake, and more. Great place. I have found so many rarities there over the years and it still holds up. This was one I grabbed there, pretty much by random, they had a few Japanese Breweries that were new to me that made west coast style IPAs and out of them I grabbed this one. West Coast IPAs are one of my favorite styles so seemed a good go to to try. I also picked up two very special American beers, but more on that later…
