Hitachino Japanese Classic

Hitachino Japanese Classic (Aged in a Cedar Cask)
Kiuchi Brewery
Japan
7.00% ABV
Style: English India Pale Ale (IPA)

C: Cloudy
H: Yellow....yep just yellow
N: Citrus, Pine, Cedar, Pepper

Eduardo: As I try this beer, I am comparing this to my point of reference for a cedar aged hopped beer, Humidor Cedar Aged IPA by Cigar City. Unfortunately, it is not as good. In the Cigar City offering the cedar aging enhances the base Jai Alai beer. The cedar influences are not nearly as well integrated into the base beer here. The hop bitterness isn’t working for me either. There is some pepper showing up as well.
Score: 3.09

The Ferm: Wow....a Cedar IPA, where have I had this before??? Ohh yah Cigar City Humidor IPA! Well we remember what I thought about that beer. It was pretty special.
Similar to Humidor IPA the Hitachino version has the cigar box taste to the beer, but unlike the Cigar City counter-part the Japanese Classic is packed full of PEPPER! Spiceyness really dominates the flavor of the beer.
Is it better....no, but thats just my opinion. Overall both beers are close and unique....but I'll take the Cigar City version.
Score: 3.116

Overall: 3.103