iKi Yuzu
iKi Beer

Copenhagen 29/10 2016. 33 cl bottle from GoSushi, Frederiksborgvej, Kbh. NV. "Iki" printed in white directly on the bottle together with Japanese character which I expect means something profound in Japanese. Or maybe just "Green tea" which I understand is one of the ingredients.

Quite foamy when pouring making a mess. Pours hazy yellow with giant head. Settles as fat creamy 1 cm thick layer of foam. Massive lacing.

Aroma is sour and sweet at the same time, herbal citrus, ginger and soya.

Soft carbonation and watery palate. Slightly thick, almost flat texture.

Flavor is medium sweet followed by an artificial herbal sour citrus. Aftertaste is sourish and short.

They write on the label that the health aspects of this beer is maintained in the brewing process. And like all healthy things this beer does not really taste very good.

Drunk at Fou Fow Ramen in Amsterdam.

This Japanese style wheatbeer with green tea and Japanese lemons is a pleasant surprise. The fact is that you can really taste the tea, that hops are completely missing...but also that it nevertheless feels like beer! Quite original.

L: super, lasting top with small bubbles;
S: not very appearant; neutral;
T: lovely round, citrus, nice sweetness without being....sweet! A bit tea and herbs.
M: very drinkable, light alcohol, round mouthfeel, good finish, even though there isn't any hoppy bitterishness;
O: very good brew, with great commercial possibilities.

Iki Beer “Iki Yuzu”
33 cl brown glass bottle seemingly without production codes or freshness dating
€3,15 @ El Corte Inglés, Sevilla, ES

Notes via stream of consciousness: iKi Yuzu is an organic beer made with green tea but I bought it because I love the citrusy and bitter yuzu fruit. It’s poured a light straw-gold body beneath a short head of white foam. The aroma clearly expresses yuzu and lightly sweetish and grainy malt; there are no hops to be found. Does the label list hops? Yes, but it also includes water, malted barley, malted wheat, green tea, “natural flavor” of yuzu, yeast, and lactic and citric acid. Interestingly it’s also labeled “vegan” but I’m pretty sure most vegans don’t want to consume “natural flavor”. The added acids are listed as an “acidity regulator” which is a little tricky as well. I understand that it’s needed to give the impression of the acidity from the yuzu fruit which obviously won’t be there. The taste is mild with the grainy malt upfront and the acidity coming through midway, leading to a dry finish. It’s not that bitter but it doesn’t need to be, there’s enough. The yuzu flavoring is OK, and the green tea lends it some grassiness and leafiness (it is, of course, a leaf to begin with). I like it and I think it’s well balanced; delicate and refined but also flavorful. Regarding the yuzu, however, I was expecting a little more but it’s OK as it is. In the mouth it’s medium bodied on the lighter side, and gently crisp with a fine-bubbled, moderate carbonation. With that said, the head didn’t hold up very well and the carbonation is probably the cause; nor did it leave much in the way of lacing. I find it interesting, and perhaps if I had a few more to drink I’d get more used to it and like it better but that’s not at issue here as my score is not really based on personal preference, just what’s in the glass before me.

 

 

 

 

From Club del Gourmet of El Corte Ingles. In Teku glass. Watching Ultima Oportunidad 1x06. Reminds me a wit, with some spicyness, citrusy and a bit herbal, but all in a soft and pleasant way. Very refreshing

 

 

 

 

Hazy yellow with some OK head. Smells like grass, citrus and a bit like a wheat beer. The taste follows through, with bread, banana, some citrus and also some other spices that I can't identify. However, the taste is quite bland, and after 2-3 sips, you can't identify most flavours.