Asahi Breweries Asahi Black Dunkel at 5% ABV (C$3.75 at Zyn, 334 ml, bottle date 1-Nov-2014 best before 1-Jul-2015)
Pours clear ruby brown with amber-brown highlights, one finger of rocky tan head diminishing gradually to a thin cap and spotty lacing. (3/5) Nose is dark roasty malt, coffee and mild chocolate, very light smoke. (6/10) Taste is moderate sweet, mild bitter. (6/10) Medium bodied tending to the watery, low carbonation, off dry and mildly bitter finish. (3/5)
Well, it’s better than I was expecting it to be. I mean, seriously? A Munich-style Dunkel from Japan? But all things considered, it’s pretty drinkable. Don’t get me wrong, it’s light to the point of it being a bit of a negative – some character would help here, but it’s definitely easy drinking. I had to laugh at the commercial description, though: “Unlike other, more bitter dark beers and stouts, it’s brewed in a process called bottom fermentation.” Oh, really? A corn and rice beer brewed through bottom fermentation? Sounds exotic, and not at all like a macro adjunct lager… (ahem)… (12/20)
My 155th from the 2010 Edition (146th from the 2013 edition), and 165th combining both editions.
6/10 #1001beers #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com
