ICHIBAN (ICHIBAN SHIBORI) ~ KIRIN

Kirin Ichiban Shibori is advertised as brewed with only hops, water and malt, and only using thing the first press off the wort. Sampled from a tin at my local ramen restaurant, the beer poured a clear light golden yellow with a thick white head, that lasted a while. The nose was very mild, but did have light notes of grains, sweet bread, herbals and a hint of sulphur. Like the nose flavour is super mild with a little malt sweetness, cereal, slight metallic taste, and whisper of grassy hop bitterness. The body is light, carbonation active and the finish is somewhat dry, with a little lingering bitterness. This in not comparable to micro brews, which I would take any day. Cold, wet and very mild, it was a good companion to my spicy ramen broth.

HITACHINO NEST ESPRESSO STOUT ~ KIUCHI BREWERY

STOUT WEEK - Many thanks to Linda for bringing me this most delicious imperial stout from Japan. Sampled from a bottle, the beer poured black with a milky coffee coloured foamy head. The head lasted a while before leaving a cap on the beer and lacing down the glass. The aroma contained acidic coffee, dark chocolate, floral hops, dark fruits (prunes and black currants), liquorice, and roasted malts. The flavour was coffee forward, with the tastes of acidity espresso beans, notes of chocolate, vanilla dark fruits and berries, roasted malts and molasses. The finish was dry and pleasantly bittered with earthy peppery floral hops. A little warming alcohol was also noted. The stout was full flavoured and robust, but smooth at the same time. The beer was lightly carbonated and creamy. This one is definitely worth a try.

7.5 % from Naka-shi, Ibaraki Japan

ASAHI BLACK ~ ASAHI

This was a pleasant surprise found at the local ramen restaurant.  Made from three roasted malts, hopes, maize and corn, and brewed in a bottom fermentation process.  The black lager poured almost black with a tan head.  The aroma was very malty, with subtle dark fruitiness and chocolate.  Started a little sweet and finished with a pleasant bitterness.  Very dry and smooth with little aftertaste.

Pasteurized and in a bottle.  Nice compliment to the noodle soup.

5% from Osaka, Japan
-beer 92-