513372 Sat Apr 26 19:06:11 -0700 2008 5 18 Manhattan 0 3632778 I ate at Momofuku Noodle Bar last Sunday and was surprised to learn that the Hitachino White Ale from Japan has been replaced by the Allagash White Ale from Maine. Umm. Not cool. For me, a meal at a Momofuku restaurant isn’t complete without a bottle or two of the Hitachino. The waiter tried to convince me that the Allagash is the same. I don’t agree and I’ve had the Allagash before. I think the Hitachino perfectly complements Chang’s savory dishes, particularly the pork buns and the porky ramen soup stock. It’s crisply carbonated and has that hint of citrus and coriander. The Allagash isn't as crisp and just gives me that bloated feeling which the Hitachino doesn’t easily achieve. I don’t know if Chang has replaced the Hitachino at Ssam Bar as well. I hope not. A 1:30am pork bun and Hitachino pit stop is just perfect. So I was a bit disappointed and let the folks at Noodle Bar know. Anyone else upset about this? Let them know. Sat Apr 26 19:06:12 -0700 2008 187224 wheresteveate 1 3633070 I guess they stopped carrying it because its readily accessible now. I live in Queens and my bodega charges 4 dollars for a small bottle and 9.25 for the large(a little more than what fairway charges). Since now that you can buy it almost anywhere at a reasonable price it really makes it hard for Momofuku to justify charging a premium for it. Sat Apr 26 22:41:48 -0700 2008 3632778 19655 Ricky 1 3633181 maybe the more "local" allagash actually is better; chang basically started the hitachino wave after all so maybe he wants to move on. btw, found the best prices at chrystie beverage center, was able to do a very nice tasting of all the flavors and this place had both the small and large bottles of both although truth be told, many of the ales ended up tasting very similar, the standout being the coffee stout. Sun Apr 27 00:40:01 -0700 2008 3632778 12656 bigjeff 1 3633385 I sympathize with you since I definitely feel like a meal without Hitachino would be somehow incomplete... but I also laughed about the waiter trying to convince you that the Allagash is better. When they took the tsukemen off the menu I was really annoyed, and the waiter gave me an "it's for the best" speech... I understand that menus change, but sometimes you just want to have your old standbys. In any case, would it really hurt them to have two white ales on the menu for awhile to help people transition? Sun Apr 27 06:23:14 -0700 2008 3632778 98027 JS0720 1 3633531 Is Crystie B Cent. somewhere one can get cases of beer at near wholesale? I keep hearing from friends how they go way east around Houston and cab home with cases of foreign beer at wholesale prices. WHERE'S ZAT? Sun Apr 27 07:55:43 -0700 2008 3632778 14308 sing me a bar 1 3633547 You can always get Hitachino White Ale at Sunrise Mart, just a few blocks right around the corner. Sun Apr 27 08:04:37 -0700 2008 3632778 54254 kobetobiko