Sōjun Weizen Classic Ale (Cedar Aged) Brewed For Isetan
Hitachino (Kiuchi) Brewery

Appearance: Hazy, bright orange-juicy orange with a tinge of mustard yellow and a strange, soft marbling from darkish clouds of yeast and cedar sediment. Rather disappointing head for the style.

Smell: Sweet, fruity, slightly funky and slightly herbal/spicy. Lots of navel orange and golden pineapple with a pleasant bready quality. Reminiscent of mimosas, pancakes, and sake with a funky, almost lactic yeast presence and rustic hints of cedar.

Taste: Bright and very orangey - almost like drinking fresh-squeezed orange juice. Beyond that, a bit musty, leafy/herbal, and tangy with a mild backyard cedar presence. The name roughly means "pure and refreshing," and while the Belgian-esque yeast and tweak of cedar would keep me from calling this "pure," I would agree that it is refreshing. Finish is lightly citric, clean, and dry. I would say this is much more like a Wit than a traditional Hefe.

Mouthfeel: Light, brisk, and dry.

Drinkability: Amazing how a beer this quirky and unique can be as refreshing and crisp as Leinie's Sunset Wheat. Very nice, I desperately wish they bottled this year-round.