Hitachino Nest Dai Dai Review: Sweet And Sour In Perfect Harmony

The Hitachino Nest brand is known for producing some excellent Japanese craft beers. Created by the Kiuchi brewery, Hitachino Nest was built on the philosophy of importing western hops and perfecting them in the Japanese brewing style. And as a result, some top-quality tipple has been created.

One of my favourite Hitachino Nest beers is Dai Dai, a fruity IPA that’s both refreshing and palate-cleansing.

Background

Hitachino Nest Dai Dai is brewed with a rare type of orange called Fukure Mikan and special hops. It sports the adorable Hitachino Nest label of an inquisitive owl and has an inviting orange colour.

Tasting notes

The beer has a faint, carbonated smell that doesn’t give anything away about the taste. But when you take the first sip, the abundance of flavour becomes clear. The taste of orange is prominent, starting at the front of the mouth. Citrusy notes come in towards the back, creating a good balance of sweet and sour textures. There’s also a lingering aftertaste of caramel and thyme.

Not only is Dai Dai refreshing, it’s extremely easy to drink. It’s light and not gassy at all. If you want to sip it slowly, you can. But if you’re in a hurry to drink then it will go down a treat in a few gulps as well.

For food pairings, I’d recommend a spicy dish, like the Nikkei ramen that I had at Shoku in Manchester. The beer helped to enhance the tangy flavour.

To learn more the eclectic Hitachino Nest beer range, be sure to check out the website and let me know what some of your favourite Japanese craft beers are!