Challenger India Pale Ale
Isekado Brewery

Limited offering from Isekadoya, a single-hop English-style IPA featuring, as you can guess, Challenger. Purchased for 750 yen at Tanaka-ya in Tokyo, best-by date of May 2012. Beer poured from a 500ml bottle into a snifter, amber-gold with a thin white lacing. Pale malts and a vague hoppiness in the nose. Even after warming, there's not a lot going on here.

The taste, however, certainly showcases the Challenger hops. Each sip begins with some spiciness, coming close to something akin to the Saaz zing of a well-hopped Czech pilsner. This spice then flows into a wave of good ol' hoppy bitterness that crackles over the tongue. I don't really pick up any citrus or pine notes, just nice bitter hops (for lack of a better description). This fades quickly though with a very crisp, dry finish that leaves a faint, but enticing, hops presence lingering in the mouth. A nice combination of light body and brisk carbonation make this a very drinkable 7.0% abv India pale ale.

Overall this was an enjoyable beer and an educational introduction to the Challenger hop variety. The only complaint I have is that the aroma doesn't do nearly enough to advertise the great taste of this beer. Those with noses more discerning than mine may find more to appreciate, but in any event this is a very fine beer