Beer - #616 - Asahi - Asahi Super Dry

Japan then, Asahi Super Dry, a beer more common,

Fresh, crisp and clear - with a sharp delivery that slakes thirst before slipping gently on.

Slightly odd sized 633ml bottle of 5%ABV beer, 16 IBU things, that would be 150 calories a serve size and this would then be 2.5 standard drinks in NZ.

Brewed by Asahi Breweries  in the style that is  Pale Lager and they are in Tokyo, Japan

[caption id="attachment_11268" align="alignright" width="300"] Super smooth guy drinks super dry beer[/caption]

With its refreshing barley flavor and crisp aftertaste, Asahi Super Dry is by far the most popular high-quality beer in Japan.

Since its debut in 1987 as Japan’s first dry beer, it has continued to improve the taste and excitement of beer.

Its taste has set a new standard that is acknowledged around the world today.

So they talk it up, and what could possibly go wrong?

Hop bitter malt lager aroma op opening.

Pale golden pour with a nice fluffy white head. The familiar malt lager aroma.

Defiantly probably not a beer to drink super cold this exhibits none of the taste things that you might enjoy in a pale lager, lack or hop roughness or bite, nothing dry on the finish, and I thought that it was unnecessarily sweet.

It's hard to imagine a blander beer. Except it really isn't, this is so familiar as stock-standard domestic no offence coloured alcohol water.

The pdubyah-o-meter rates this as 5  of its things from the thing. It is average and beige. It scores average because it isn't trying to be anything other than what it is.

The double dip review

Am I enjoying it? No
Would I have another? No
Would I share with a friend on a porch and set the world to rights? No.

Music for this 'Heartless Bastards'  an American garage rock band. from Cincinnati, Ohio. This is 'Gates of Dawn' from their new album 'Restless Ones'

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g_T6R00Sqtc

PALE LAGER

The colour of pale lager ranges from light bronze to nearly transparent and the alcohol anywhere from 4-6%. Adjunct usage may be quite high, though in some cases the beer is all-malt. Carbonation is typically forced, though not always. One thing that doesnt vary is that neither the malt nor the hops make much of an impression on the palate. These beers are brewed for minimum character, though faint traces of hop or malt may show through. More likely though is that adjuncts like corn will show through, or you’ll find notes of higher alcohols (fuel notes) due to the use of high-gravity brewing. The body will be thin and watery, and the finish is typically non-existent.

Beer - #366 - Baird - Suruga Bay Imperial IPA

Second of two - Baird - Suruga Bay Imperial IPA

Brewed by Baird Brewing Co. in the style of an  Imperial/Double IPA and they do that in  Numazu, Shizuoka, Japan

Again the odd sized 360 ml bottle, which has a 90 IBU rated beer, (which is smack in the middle of the 80-100 number for DIPA,) and a 7.8 ABV beer, being all up a   2.2 standard drink units worth, and also for the belt concious has 225 calories in it.

 This extraordinarily complex yet balanced Double IPA is dry-hopped twice with whole flower cones and then krausened at packaging. The hop character (bitterness, flavor, aroma) is profound – vast and impactful like our local Suruga Bay is deep and magnificent.

 The first key to a great Double IPA is dryness of character despite the high original gravity. This is accomplished, foremost, through high attenuation by the yeast during

[caption id="attachment_8055" align="alignright" width="300"] Selfie[/caption]

fermentation. We aim for an apparent attenuation around 85% which yields relative dryness and alcohol strength. The second key is a fantastic and powerful hop aroma. This we achieve by dry hopping Suruga Bay Imperial IPA with several varieties of pungently strong American hops. We conduct this dry hopping not once but twice, in two separate tanks. Then, at packaging, to ensue a vigorous secondary fermentation and natural carbonation, we krauesen Suruga Bay with a percentage of peak fermentation beer from a different batch. Suruga Bay Imperial IPA is a wickedly compelling flavor experience. Its hop character is as rich as Japan’s Suruga Bay is deep (it is Japan’s deepest bay and Baird Brewing is located on its inner shore). The greatness of Suruga Bay Imperial IPA resides in a supreme drinkability that pervades in spite of the potency.

Baird Beer is unfiltered and thus yeast sediment gathers at the bottom of the bottle. We recommend pouring Baird Beer gently, leaving most of the yeast sediment in the bottle. 

So what's the odds that I'll just get in and pour the whole thing in one go?

Lot hoppier and yeastier on opening, ton of hiss....

Pours a lot paler than I though, more yellow golden than darker.  despite a head seems flat in the glass. Might be my fault though. Always is.

Lots of the hop aroma in the glass.

Aa cracking amount of hop bitterness and I get lemon and other citrus things, and it then tends to a dry finish.  That's nice.

The pdubyah-o-meter rates this as 8 a of its things from the thing.

It's not brash or sharp, it has a nice bitterness and a lovely sweet carry, and a finish to dry. But it's not spectacular or demanding of a place in the top tier. the IPA and DIPA market are awash with good beers from good brewers, This would be nice to drink out if it was a choice, and it'd be a choice well made, but I might not take it home with me after.

The double dip review

1. Am I enjoying it? Yes I am.


2. Would I have another? I mightn't though


3. Would I share with a friend on a porch and set the world to rights? I don't think this is cuts the mustard as a companion heer,

Challenged I'm listening to @Peace and the Plutonian Noise Symphony - This is the track - No Stars In The City. Google them, you can pay what you like for the Album. It's trippy.

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I8Hj9Fw4FMk&w=560&h=315]

IMPERIAL/DOUBLE IPA

Imperial IPA, Double IPA or DIPA is a strong, often sweet, intensely hoppy version of the traditional India Pale Ale. Bitterness units range upward of 100 IBUs and alcohol begins at 7.5% but is more commonly in the 8.5-10% range. The flavour profile is intense all-round. Unlike barley wines, the balance is heavily towards the hops, with crystal and other malts providing support.

Beer - #365 - Baird - Teikoku IPA

Baird, I had one ages ago, so I thought I'd go again... First of two - Baird Teikoku IPA. 

Brewed by Baird Brewing Co. in the style of an  India Pale Ale (IPA) and they do that in  Numazu, Shizuoka, Japan

6.5% ABV, 1.8 standard drinks in this bottle which is 360 ml  (an odd size), 180 calories of things.  55 IBU things - which is low from an IPA that usually kick in around 60.

[caption id="attachment_8044" align="alignleft" width="300"] Selfie[/caption]

This brew bursts with hop character while still achieving a sublime balance due to a firm, robust malt backbone. It is a cross between an English-style and American-style India Pale Ale that is full-bodied and refreshing all at once.

Baird Beer is unfiltered and thus yeast sediment gathers at the bottom of the bottle. We recommend pouring Baird Beer gently, leaving most of the yeast sediment in the bottle. 

Glad I found that last about of info, nothing worse than floaters in your beer.

Bready yeasty aroma on opening, but a bunch of really sweet  too.

Remember that bit about not pouring it all. Forgot that. Of course. All in. 

Crisp chestnut brown pour with a decent head. Aroma changed but for the better.

Very carbonated on the tongue, is carbonation my new thing?

The flavour is a bit confusing, I'm not sure I recognise this as an IPA. Stand by.

Odd is what.

This isn't unpleasant, it's just a run of the mill, average her, but it's not disappointing.  Of course no way of knowing what the expiry date is, given my limited Japanese.

I have a suspicion that this may be past it's best though as the flavour profile seems to have left. I could be wrong, I often am.

But it's nicely sweet and mellow, with a bitterness that is in line with the low IBU indicated. So then I think that this is just a nice mellow beer that stands on it's own.  And that's a good thing.

The pdubyah-o-meter rates this as 7 a of its things from the thing. I thought this was very drinkable and not at all unpleasant. I'd readily have these in the fridge as a go to beer for me to enjoy, price being of course the reason not to.

The double dip review

1. Am I enjoying it? Sort of, it's a challenge because it's not bitter and


2. Would I have another? I don't think so, but possibly yes.


3. Would I share with a friend on a porch and set the world to rights? No. It'd be a source of arguments and frowning.

Challenged I'm listening to @Peace and the Plutonian Noise Symphony - This is the track - No Stars In The City. Google them, you can pay what you like for the Album. It's trippy.

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I8Hj9Fw4FMk&w=560&h=315]

INDIA PALE ALE & IPA

India Pale Ale gets its name and unique style from British brewers who were making beer for export to India. This style has an intense hop flavor which was used to preserve the beer for the long voyage. India Pale Ale has a golden to copper color with a medium maltiness and body. The aroma is moderate to very strong. IPAs work especially well at cutting the heat of chili, vindaloo or Sichuan cuisine.

Beer - #353 - Hitachino Nest - Espresso Stout

Continuing a theme and the 2nd of two beer I picked up front this brewer - the Hitachino Nest Espresso Stout, Brewed by Kiuchi Brewery of course in the style of a Stout and they are in Ibaraki, Japan

This has 225 calories, and is a 7.0% ABV beer, in 330ml bottle which makes it 1.82 standard drink units in NZ (calculated here)

[caption id="attachment_7874" align="alignleft" width="300"] Selfie[/caption]

Caramel, roasted, black and chocolate malts provide an explosion of coffee like flavors. The strong espresso character comes from the addition of espresso beans to the boil. Notes of vanilla, dark fruit , cocao and chocolate. The very unusual character of Hitachino Nest Espresso Stout stems from the fact that Kiuchi Brewery is using the recipe of a Russian Imperial Stout as base. Pitch black color, big brown head. Aromas of chocolate, roasted bitterness, black currants, dark fruits.

Of the two that I picked up this is the good one, I might go pick up the ones that I could have brought tomorrow, I'd have to check with MrsPdubyah.

A LOT of raw coffee and chocolate aroma on opening. Deep black pour with a fantastic fluffy mocha coffee head.

The same musty Belgium yeast style aroma in this, but there is a lot of coffee.

A lot of coffee in the taste of this, the head subsides away but a lacing.

So well carbonated, bitterness is coffee bitter (there is a lot of coffee in this), but its not balanced with anything else, so the raw oil coffee note is the over-riding wash in the mouth.

As it warms it gets slightly softer, but not so much that it could be considered as mellow.

The pdubyah-o-meter rates this as 7 a of its things from the thing. Too much coffee, if there is such a thing, but this is coffee heavy without anything else to back it or balance it, and although a thing this isn't a thing that rings my bell.

The double dip review

1. Am I enjoying it? It's interesting, but not balanced.


2. Would I have another? I like coffee beer but there are better.


3. Would I share with a friend on a porch and set the world to rights? in a taste off perhaps.

Musically, it's Chains of Love - Enough for Tonight

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dn6QDJYm-w0&w=560&h=315]

STOUT

Many stouts do not fit the classic "Irish" definition as exemplified by Guinness, either due to their hop or roast rates, or higher gravity (in the case of many American stouts). They are still basic stouts, however, not falling into any of the subclasses.

 

Beer - #352 - Hitachino Nest - Red Rice Ale

Something very different for me, Hitachino Nest Red Rice Ale, this is brewed by Kiuchi Brewery in the style that is new to me of a Traditional Ale, and they are in Ibaraki, Japan

[caption id="attachment_7865" align="alignright" width="300"] Selfie[/caption]

A 330ml bottle of a 7% ABV beer, which in NZ is 1.82 standard drinks, and it's about 210 calories,

This Red Rice Ale was brewed with special red rice which had been cultured in ancient times in Japan. Please enjoy the complex taste and beautiful natural color.

And another cap for the cap-jar.

Aroma is strangely chocolate on opening. Rich orange pour with a small and almost persistent head.

Aroma moves to musty, like a Belgium styled yeast.

This is well carbonated and has a sour bitter note, which isn't unpleasant. There's also a pleasing sweetness with this.

Some people have suggested fruit type notes in this, including strawberry, I didn't get that particular thing. But there is something there and that's the thing that I'm reaching for and not getting, which is at both clever and annoying.

The pdubyah-o-meter rates this as 6 a of its things from the thing. This is one of those beers where the carbonation is most of the mouthfeel, and that distracts from the overall taste. I enjoyed the low bitterness and the nice sweet warmth in this.

The double dip review

1. Am I enjoying it? For research purposes yes.


2. Would I have another? Not this one no.


3. Would I share with a friend on a porch and set the world to rights? No.

In what could be my biggest faux pas culturally, I could not help but think of this by the The Vapors - Turning Japanese, which I've been singing in the car.

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gEmJ-VWPDM4&w=420&h=315]

TRADITIONAL ALE

A catch-all category that we use to classify all of those ancient or resurrected styles of antiquity that are appearing more and more in brewing today. From sahti to heather ale to sorghum beer to gruit, and beers like Adam and Midas Touch, these ales will vary tremendously in character from one another. Many are unhopped, strength can vary, but all are a glimpse into brewings past

Related articles

• Thirsty Thursday: Hitachino Nest Japanese Classic Ale & Red Rice Ale

Beer - #87 - Baird Beer - Kurofune Porter

Ok, back on track I hope, Baird Kurofune Porter, Brewed by the Baird Brewing Co. in the style of a Porter and this is all the way from Numazu, Shizuoka, Japan, in it's 330ml bottle of 6%ABV thing.

Kurofune (means "Black Ships") was the word the Japanese used to describe the American gunboats that came to open Japan to western trade. Kurofone Porter is sleek and forceful, but leaves a winning bittersweet taste of chocolate and coffee on the tongue. "Do not resist the superior might; cunningly acquiesce, and embrace." Kampai!

I remember that I fell in a bit of lust with the Baird Beer – Baird Wabi Sabi IPA a while ago, I have fond memories of Baird being a bit special.

And I am on a Porter adventure, one that I'm not getting the hang of, Porter either eludes me or it's not all that and bag of crisps. I do like the romanticism of a Japanese beer however and the delivery of these makes you look at the label for meaning.

and we're back in the room......  The immediate aroma is a bitter... it's dark dark, it's heady, there are a bunch of hops and malts.

The immediate taste isn't of chocolate but then it's there at the back, the front taste is of a fruit like a  plum or damson but not, I wonder what fruit that is? The wonderful way the chocolate carries through though, that's a nice thing. So a light sweet dark and multi-layer beer.

I find though that for all I thought that this was bit thin, a bit of "oh here comes the chocolate" taste, and that made it less of a thing. These guys are trying though and this seems to be very close to an "it" that you think you are looking for in a beer.

The pdubyah-o-meter can only get 7 from 10 arbitrary things, which makes this just about on a par as a beer, the place where you're neither challenged or insulted, not enlightened or made to feel a bit  silly.

Sadly though, Nothing to see here, move along....

Related articles

• November: Breckenridge Vanilla Porter (followingourownadvice.com)

Beer - #37 - Baird Beer - Baird Wabi Sabi IPA

Baird Brewing Company is a family-run craft brewery and pub business headquartered in Numazu, Japan.  The Baird Beer I have then is In the Style of an India Pale Ale (IPA), and it is from Numazu, Shizuoka, Japan.

Baird Wabi Sabi IPA. What's with that -  Baird Beer  is unfiltered and the addition of whole leaf green tea to Wabi-Sabi IPA has contributed a very strong particle sediment. Apparently.

It's a 6% ABV in a big 633ml bottle beer.

It's very pale, golden, hazy/cloudy and fizzy. it carries a small head, more of soda than beer. It's very hoppy/yeasty in aroma.

And it tastes like a traditional IPA, more in the american style or pale ale I'd suggest. And there is a bit of melange of flavor on the tongue. The taste carries long.

You can taste the tea!, unless I believe everything I read.

It's odd and yet not unwelcome. There is more of a smile than a frown in this. I'm sure the burp was natural and not because of the beer, honest. I'm quite chuffed with this selection, although I wish I'd taken heed of the sediment warning that I myself cut and paste in to this review. Still it won't harm me. And no, the burps seem to come as an undocumented feature. The head, you'll be pleased to know carries too. It looks like a beer, tastes like a beer, and by jolly it's a top effort!

Arbitrarily then this is about an 8.5 from 10 arbitrary things on the arbitrary pdubyah-o-meter. It wouldn't be out of place amongst some of the craft brews that are appearing in New Zealand and gives more than their fair share a decent run for the money, I like this beer.

「すごい！きれい！  as they say. And the Liquorland people in Forest Hill you rock too.

Related articles

• What Your Favorite Type Of Beer Says About You To A Date (howaboutwe.com)


• Bryan Baird's Newsletter (2012/04/30): May is Hop Madness Month; Two New Hoppy Seasonal Releases (shizuokagourmet.com)


• Review: Deviant Dales Pale Ale (boston.com)


• Beer Review: Threadless IPA [Finch's Beer Company] (twscritic.com)


• Who put that tea in my beer? (distaffsight.wordpress.com)