Lurking in the back of my fridge tonight, and waiting for me to taste it, was this little Japanese gem. Hitachino Nest is the first beer from Kiuchi Brewery in Japan, which has been making sake since 1823. For a first beer ever, it’s fabulous. In the Belgian white ale style (flavor-wise, if not color—it’s a little darker and redder than the standard white ale), the beer is spiced and hopped appropriately, with fabulous big yeasty nose and after finish. No wonder it’s won so many awards.