Ding Points: 90.00

Pour: 90.00, Nose: 90.00, Palate: 90.00, Mouth: 90.00, Global: 90.00

Tasting Notes:

I originally drank this at the Brick Store on draught. This review is mainly from my experience with the 750 mL corked & caged bottle, with a nod to that original draught offering as well.

This beer was brewed to commemorate the opening of the St. Bernardus bar in Tokyo. Seems like an odd project to me, but hey, Tokyo’s gain I guess!

According to the rear label, this is a one off batch that was brewed on Feb 3rd and 4th, 2012. I am a little confused as to why St. Bernardus is opening a bar in Tokyo, and in some ways even why they might be brewing a Wit. It seems like an odd combination/match to say the least, but if the beer is good then who am I to argue? I guess……

Tokyo

Fluffy, head sits atop of the dullish, golden body. Retention and lace are both good. It seems darker out of the bottle than it does on draught. Is it bottle-conditioned?

Nose offers more than a touch of alcohol and a light citrus wheat note.

There’s a rich mouthfeel about this beer. The combo of small, vigorous bubbles that are tightly packed, and the bigger than expected presence, leads to a certain richness and density in the beer. For me it is quite earthy.

It’s quite a lot less sharp and acidic than some Wit’s, and in that regard the beer sits a little outside of some of the usual parameters of the style. Frankly, give St, Bernardus’ forte in terms of styles, and the unusual combination of moving parts going on here, I cannot say that I am particularly surprised

Less of a thirst quencher than many Wit’s, this beer is more of a chewy, substantial affair with some bolder, bigger more rounded and less well-defined sharp edges. Actually, it reminds me a little more of a Hefeweizen, but without the banana element. I like it.

Other: 6.0 %, Witbier.