Yoroshiku Earl Grey and Yuzu IPA
Hitachino (Kiuchi) Brewery

Hazy dandelion-orange with a very short-lived white head. The yuzu aroma is big and bold at first, but it quickly dissipates to allow for some floral bergamot and Kiuchi's distinctive toffee-pear malt-and-yeast character. Overall it smells like a yuzu custard tart. Nice, but I had hoped it would be more vibrant and zingy. Tastes a bit listless, to be honest – a lot like orange juice from concentrate, rescued somewhat by some nice floral notes, like honey and honeysuckle and orange blossom. The mouthfeel is juicy, the carbonation is easy-going and crisp, and the finish is nice and dry but overall this is a total disappointment. Two powerhouse breweries utilising two powerhouse citrus really should be off the scale in terms of aroma, and the flavour should be much fuller, more acidic, and more fruity.