Uchu Brewing (うちゅうブルーイング ) x Yakima Chief “HD93129A (#324)” DDH Double IPA

Name:HD93129A (#324)
Brewer: Uchu Brewing うちゅうブルーイング (Japan)
Style: Specialty IPA: New England IPA
ABV: 8.5%
Review Year: 2021

Named after the triple star system in the Carina Nebula, HD93129A is a “Double Dry-Hopped (DDH) Double IPA” by Uchu Brewing in collaboration with Yakima Chief Hops (YCH). This collaboration brew features Cryo Pop, a relatively new innovative product from YCH, together with Azacca and Citra hops.

Uchu Brewing is a space-themed craft brewery in Hokuto City, Yamanashi, and was founded by Masahiro Kusunose and Rumiko Suzuki in 2018. Head brewer Kasunose skipped high school to become a bassist in a hardcore punk band and, has, interestingly, only started drinking craft beer in 2016. Before brewing on his own, Kasunose spent two months in 2017 at Outsider Brewing in Kofu mentored by Satoshi Niwa. The other half of Uchu is Suzuki who traded in her Osaka city life for the quiet farm life in Kochi after the 9/11 terrorist attacks in the United States. She is currently in charge of the brewery’s marketing, creative direction, and events. The two crossed paths as Kasunose and Suzuki became involved in environmental activism in which they practice strongly with their brewery.

STYLE GUIDELINES

This beer is being evaluated as a Specialty IPA: New England IPA (21B) in the context of the provisional guidelines of the Beer Judge Certification Program (BJCP) for the said beer style. The most current version of the guidelines can be found on the BJCP website.

TASTING NOTES

Hazy straw; medium head with good retention. On the nose, moderate lemon zest, lychee, and mango melded with low balmy, piney, and herbal accents. Medium-bodied, moderate carbonation with a subtle chalky afterfeel. The flavor had some complexity to it, unveiling fairly high lemon zest, ripe stonefruits alongside white grapes, cantaloupe, and a floral undertone. Malt character was bready and supportive. Low piney and tea-like flavors complemented the moderate level of bitterness with residual sweetness noted at a very low level close to none. The aftertaste was characterized by a subtle mix of bitterness, umami, guava, and lemon peel.

THE VERDICT

Reviewed roughly three weeks since canning date, HD93129A is a hazy and dry IPA that showcased subtle hop complexity that was unveiled fully as the beer settled. We were amazed by how this beer harmonized diverse hop profiles that composed mainly of citrus, stonefruit, pine, white grape, and floral impressions with the malt backbone appropriately supporting. As mentioned, HD93129A had very low residual sweetness, and this, in our opinion, enhanced its drinkability. Less of the chalky afterfeel could still be pursued, but this to us is a very good beer.

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