My Top 3 Beers of 2012, So Far.....

It's June already! So I thought I'd list my 3 fav beers that I've tried (so far) this year that I haven't had previously.
In no particular order they are:
Timothy Taylor Landlord - still amazed at how good this is and can't wait to try it again!
Schneider Hopfen-Weisse Tap 5- Hoppy sweet and deceptively high in abv.
Hitochino Nest White Ale - some much better than I anticipated.

That's two wheat beers and a English Pale Ale- not an IPA in sight, although the Hopfen Weisse Tap 5 is of course quite hoppy. I had the Stone 15th Anniversary Ale this year too, but it wasn't for the first time so it didn't make the list.

Hitachino Nest White Ale

Style:Witbier
Alc %:5
Brewery: Kiuchi Brewery
Country:Japan
Tap/Bottle?:bottle
Where/When:Home, March 2012
Cost :approx $6.50
Rating:7.5

Small white head that almost completely disappears. Pours a pale light gold colour.

Nose is honey & (rock?) melon, kinda perfumery.
I'm totally wrong and agree with Todd Alstrom (Beeradvocate.com) who smells ginger/clove.
It's creamy. The spicy hotness from the clove and ginger appears pretty quick- there's a dry grainyness to it mid way along with some yeast action. I do love the heat of the ginger which is quite unique and strong and although I don't care for clove, it's subtle.
All that said it's moreish and unique. You should try it.

This is my first Japanese beer. I take back all that I've said about Asian beers- I generally regard them poorly as flavourless lagers made for humidity and swilling.

I didn't get alot of orange. I didn't get alot of coriander.
7.5/10