洋魂和才 (Yokon Wasai)

1 bar limited to 1x kegs max

It seems like ages ago now, but you may recall that we had a recent visit from our friends at the Brussels Beer Project in early May. In addition to opening a new bar in Shinjuku and experiencing the Keyaki Beer Festival, at the top of the agenda was brewing the second leg of our collaboration. This beer is the second of a series brewed with our friends at Brussels Beer Project. The first was Zenith Zest, a Saison with Yuzu and Sansho pepper brewed in Belgium. The theme of Japanese ingredients in a traditionally Belgian beer was carried through to this collaboration brew as well in the form of Kyoto Miso and Belgian organic honey

The balance of the two gives just a hint of extra nuance to flavours that are already right at home in the style. A hint of rustic sweetness this honey left behind plays well with the heavy load of richly sweet crystal malts. The miso is an almost enigmatic aspect of the flavour: when it comes to the forefront, its characteristic fermented richness can't be missed, but when it subsides into the background, the umami heavy miso leaves an interesting sensation on the tongue that we haven't experienced in any other beers.

Naming: 洋魂和才(Yokon Wasai) is a play on 和魂洋才 (Wakon Yosai), the iconic phrase that often characterizes Japan's approach to foreign affairs from the Meiji Restoration onward. While originally meaning "Japanese spirit and Western techniques," encouraging citizens to not forget their Japanese roots as they began to take in foreign ideas, for us the substitution of East for West is a playful way to express the unique use of Japanese ingredients through a beer style that embodies Belgian brewing.

Style: Dubbel

Malt Bill:

Pale Ale, Crystal T50, Simpsons DRC, Chocolate

Hops:

Bittering: Columbus

Flavour/Aroma: Saaz

Other:

Kyoto Miso, Belgian Organic Honey

Yeast: Belgian Ardennes

ABV: 8.0%

IBU: 20

Gas Volumes: 2.3