It’s not there yet, but it’s getting closer. Hite Max, known as the only Korean beer that uses hops, has come out with the limited edition Max Special Hop 2009.
Now, I had thought that there was a shortage of hops worldwide this year. Looking at the back, they Nelson Sauvin hops from New Zealand. Doing some research, I found that Nelson Sauvin hops are a little unique and give a grape/wine-like aroma.
Personally, I found a little bit of a difference between this and regular Hite Max. I actually was drinking both side by side (what else do you expect me to do on my staycation). It’s a very subtle difference, but beer connoisseurs will catch a little more of a floral quality. I’m guessing someone got a good deal on a boatload of these hops and is trying to squeeze the most out of the shipment.
Maybe we’re seeing what direction Korean beer may go as it matures. They’ll still be light but will emphasize fruity and flowery aromas.
I wonder if this decision to use hops reeking of grapes is a conscious one calculated to ride the foreign wine (podoju) wave – the kind of wine made with grapes not rice – in Korea. I guess foreign hops is cheaper than Korean honey, my favorite beer flavor.
Every beer is same for me, I mean the taste. I don’t distinguish which one is Hite or Cass.
Anyway I miss Korean beer cause I’m staying in Vancouver. When I go back to Korea, I wish I can find fruity and flowery Koran beer !!
I made a mistake… I missed ‘e’ among ‘Korean’ at the last sentence.