Bar Fiddich in Nara taps Nara Brewing’s EIGHTY EIGHT and Suika Wheat
Bar Fiddich in Nara has tapped two guest beers: Nara Brewing’s EIGHTY EIGHT and Sanktgallen’s Suika Wheat. Both are being offered in limited 10L pours, giving beer fans a chance to compare a tea-driven saison with a watermelon wheat ale.
Hop BroToday’s topic is two guest beers just tapped at Bar Fiddich in Nara. They’ve got Nara Brewing’s 'EIGHTY EIGHT' and Sankt Gallen’s 'Suika Wheat' on at the same time, which is a very smart pairing.
MugiWhat, a side-by-side tasting? Tea and watermelon in one lineup sounds like my glass menu just turned into a plot twist!
Hop BroFirst up, 'EIGHTY EIGHT' is a green tea saison from Nara Brewing. It uses first-picked tencha from Tea Farm Inokura in Tsukigase, with fresh lemony and kabosu-like citrus notes plus a spicy edge.
MugiHold on, what is tencha!? I can’t even picture it. My brain just wandered into a tea field without a map!
Hop BroTencha is basically pre-matcha tea leaves. Using it gives the beer soft tea umami and an elegant bitterness, so the flavor ends up with a lot more depth.
MugiOhhh, that tea smoothness in a beer actually sounds amazing! If it’s got citrusy aroma too, that feels super refreshing instead of heavy.
Hop BroAnd the malt and hops are all domestic, with Shinshu Wase hops in the mix. It’s an old Japanese variety, and as the beer warms a bit, the tea character shows up even more clearly.
MugiHistorical hops too? Strong move. Then what about the other one? I saw 220 kilos of watermelon and immediately lost all sense of proportion!
Hop BroThat one’s a wheat ale built on wheat malt, loaded with watermelon puree for a perfect summer pint. It leans into juicy sweetness and a clean, fresh aroma, so it should crush on a hot day.
MugiTea for savoring, watermelon for gulping... they’re so different I can’t choose! And it’s just 10 liters each, right? Future me is already panicking.
Hop BroExactly. At Bar Fiddich’s calm counter, I’d start with 'Suika Wheat' cold, then let 'EIGHTY EIGHT' open up because temperature is part of it with that beer.
MugiThat settles it. I want a pour now. Start with watermelon for summer mode, finish with tea for the deep dive, and suddenly my throat is fully on board.
Two guest beers arrive
Bar Fiddich in Minami-ichicho, Nara, has tapped two guest beers: Nara Brewing’s EIGHTY EIGHT and Sanktgallen’s Suika Wheat. Set on the second floor of the Uehata Building, just off a narrow lane from the Mochiidono Center Gai arcade, the bar is known for whiskey, local craft beer, and a calm, intimate atmosphere.
EIGHTY EIGHT
EIGHTY EIGHT is Nara Brewing’s green tea saison, brewed with first-flush tencha from Tea Farm Inokura in Tsukigase, Nara City, a tea farm that has continued for 275 years according to the post. The beer uses domestic malt and hops throughout, including Shinshu Wase, a hop with historical roots dating back to the Meiji era. The result is described as having lemon- and cabos-like citrus notes, gentle bitterness, and saison yeast spice layered over the roundness of tea.
The brewery also notes that the tea character becomes clearer as the beer warms slightly, so it rewards slow drinking.
Suika Wheat for warm weather
The second beer, Suika Wheat, is a wheat ale built on soft mouthfeel and about 220 kg of watermelon puree per brew. It is presented as a refreshing, fruit-forward option with juicy sweetness and a bright aroma, making it a natural fit for hot days.
Limited pours
Both guest beers are available in limited 10L pours. For drinkers, that makes this a neat pairing: one beer leans into tea, citrus, and saison spice, while the other brings watermelon freshness and a softer wheat body.
Bar Fiddich remains a place where whiskey is central, but the beer lineup is clearly taken seriously as well. For anyone in Nara looking to linger over a carefully poured pint or two, it is an easy bar to keep on the list.
Information may be inaccurate. Please refer to the venue’s official channels for the latest details.
Hop BroToday’s topic is two guest beers just tapped at Bar Fiddich in Nara. They’ve got Nara Brewing’s 'EIGHTY EIGHT' and Sankt Gallen’s 'Suika Wheat' on at the same time, which is a very smart pairing.
MugiWhat, a side-by-side tasting? Tea and watermelon in one lineup sounds like my glass menu just turned into a plot twist!
Hop BroFirst up, 'EIGHTY EIGHT' is a green tea saison from Nara Brewing. It uses first-picked tencha from Tea Farm Inokura in Tsukigase, with fresh lemony and kabosu-like citrus notes plus a spicy edge.
MugiHold on, what is tencha!? I can’t even picture it. My brain just wandered into a tea field without a map!
Hop BroTencha is basically pre-matcha tea leaves. Using it gives the beer soft tea umami and an elegant bitterness, so the flavor ends up with a lot more depth.
MugiOhhh, that tea smoothness in a beer actually sounds amazing! If it’s got citrusy aroma too, that feels super refreshing instead of heavy.
Hop BroAnd the malt and hops are all domestic, with Shinshu Wase hops in the mix. It’s an old Japanese variety, and as the beer warms a bit, the tea character shows up even more clearly.
MugiHistorical hops too? Strong move. Then what about the other one? I saw 220 kilos of watermelon and immediately lost all sense of proportion!
Hop BroThat one’s a wheat ale built on wheat malt, loaded with watermelon puree for a perfect summer pint. It leans into juicy sweetness and a clean, fresh aroma, so it should crush on a hot day.
MugiTea for savoring, watermelon for gulping... they’re so different I can’t choose! And it’s just 10 liters each, right? Future me is already panicking.
Hop BroExactly. At Bar Fiddich’s calm counter, I’d start with 'Suika Wheat' cold, then let 'EIGHTY EIGHT' open up because temperature is part of it with that beer.
MugiThat settles it. I want a pour now. Start with watermelon for summer mode, finish with tea for the deep dive, and suddenly my throat is fully on board.
