Hitachino Nest

Made by the Kiuchi brewery, you probably know this beer better as simply Hitachino Nest. The name and its iconic owl logo come from the Kounosu village where this beer is brewed - Kounosu means ‘nest’ in Japanese. Hitachino aims to combine European beer styles with Japanese brewing techniques. Its XH Belgian Ale is aged in shochu casks (a traditional Japanese spirit), and its Classic Ale IPA is aged in cedar casks, which are commonly used in sake brewing. We think it’s great to see a Japanese brewery making so much innovation in the craft beer scene, and who could resist that little owl!