A New Brew's Blue Hue - Oceana USA
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July 22, 2009

A New Brew’s Blue Hue

BY: KC

As an Irishman, I’ve seen my share of green beer on St. Patty’s Day. But I’ve never seen blue beer — until now. I have no idea how it tastes, but Okhotsk Blue Draft is sure to catch your eye. This Japanese export claims to be “made using water melted from icebergs that float each year onto Hokkaido beaches from the chilly Sea of Okhotsk, an arm of the North Pacific ocean bordered by Japan and Russia.” And the color? That comes from seaweed that is used to tinge the brew that ever so delightful shade of Columbia Blue. I am interested in trying this libation, but I wonder how “green” this blue beer is. Are these chunks of iceberg melting on their own or is the brewmeister out there with a hair dryer taking matters into his own hands? Let’s hope this beer isn’t contributing to climate change. And as for the seaweed, I have had Kelpie before (a Scottish stout made from fermented seaweed) and it was delicious. I just hope it comes from a sustainable aquaculture facility.Or perhaps I should stick with a domestic micro brew that does not have a large carbon footprint as a result of being shipped from Japan. Decisions, decisions.