Karumina
Hidatakayama Brewing Agricultural Corporation, Ltd

Impressive starting head—foamy and slow to settle. Good spots and streaks throughout the tasting. Dark brown color with no light passing, but it’s a few shades away from black.

Dark caramel (crystal) malts contribute the most to the smell. In the background is faint Belgian yeast.

Thinner body with an elevated effervescence. Despite the abv, the alcohol is well hidden behind the darker malt flavors. It’s a bit like a Brown Ale flavor wise. The hop is low and the Belgian yeast is not very subtle.

On tap at Craftman in Kyoto.
3.5/3.5/3.5/3.25/3.5
Dark amber brown. It smells like cake-- sweet malt with baking spices. It tastes Belgiany, sweet, and a bit like cinnamon pumpernickel bread. Overall good, if a bit strange.

 

 

Had this on tap at Popeye's in Ryogoku, Tokyo. Poured 200ml into a sifter. Dark and cloudy brew with a thin effervescent tan head. Confusing flavor with a strong hop punch but without much comeback in the aftertaste. There is definitely a smell apparent, but I can't place it beyond the hops. It could be that this was my third strong brew of the night, but even though I rank this below some others, for some reason, I really enjoyed this brew. This was my first brew from Hidatakayama, and I think I will be on the lookout for more in the future. If you can, try this!

Bottle brought back from Japan thanks to Bobsy - thanks man! Cool labeling and big stubby bottle. Pours a dark dark brown with some date colored head.

Lots of bold esters in the nose, dark fruits, caramel, spiciness. Big smell, takes you by surprise right off the bat.

Big taste too. Hints of chocolate, caramel, Belgian yeast esters along the lines of Unibroue, a hint of strawberry, licorice, raisins, spices, alcohol in the finish. I compared this to Unibroue (perhaps Trois Pistoles) but it's not nearly as refined and smooth, much messier - more likely to kick you down and steal your wallet than smooth talk you into helping out a Nigerian princess.

All in all, not a bad beer and worth trying, thanks Rob!

Real cool looking bottle, thanks to Bobsy for sharing!

Pours a hazy dark brown, pretty opaque, medium sized tan head forms, settles to a thin ring and drops a few lace spots on the glass. Smell is neat, raisins, lightly smokey, spices, licorice, sugar, dark fruit, pretty intense, a little messy but nice. Taste is similar, big licorice and spice character, touch of chocolate and caramel, very fruity, raisins, nice. Mouthfeel is medium to full bodied with medium carbonation, this was okay if a little full bodied for the style. Reminded me a less refined Trois Pistoles, not bad stuff. Thanks Rob!

Very dark, oaken pour with a finger of tan head, that rapidly settles to a hazy film. You can tell this is a belgian strong dark as soon as you smell it, as flavours of dark fruit, spice, candy sugar and alcohol hit the nose. There's also a touch of leather in there, which is interesting. Sweet fruity flavour, with an emphasis on raisins. Chocolate and spice also join the party, along with smoke and anise. Interesting, but a touch rough, it grew on me the more I had. Body and carbonation are both medium.

Its good, but not worth the price.