One of the fun things about travelling around Japan is trying out regional food and beer. While in Iwanai on the Southwest coast of Hokkaido on the Sea of Japan, I had a chance to try this local offering. Considering that the farming belt above the coastal town of Iwanai was where hops were first cultivated in Japan, and this is where Sapporo Breweries sources the hops for their “all Hokkaido” Hokkaido Meibutsu “gold can” lager, I was expecting at some kind of mind-altering hops experience from this beer, particularly since it was labelled a “pilsner”. I was disappointed. Perhaps I should have been expecting something more from the “deep ocean seawater” also called out on the bottle labelling of this rather watery beer. This is another case like the Otaru Bakushu beers where you can start out with premium ingredients and still produce an unremarkable beer. The initial pour and good head excited me, but the first sip fell flat. There was a good carbonation dry bite, but as that faded out, it was replaced with neither a malty richness nor a hoppy bitterness. There was a faint flowery hop aroma if I tried really hard to detect it, but it was otherwise a rather bland beer. I guess I should be glad that it was mild and easily drinkable, as opposed to being strongly flavored in a negative way. I didn’t hate it, but I didn’t love it either. Continue reading ‘Beer is Good – Iwanai Ji-biiru Lager’
Archive for the 'Travel' Category
Page 23 of 32
As a follow-up to the review of the “green letter” Sapporo Classic, I dutifully tested a “blue letter” Classic. Between the two, I can say the 2010 Vintage “green letter” has a stronger malt flavor with a more Pilsener-style bitter. The “blue letter” is more of a traditional Japanese dry pale lager. I am now curious to see if the difference between the “blue letter” Classic and regular Sapporo Black Label is primarily the point of origin. Whereas the two Classic varieties and the “gold can” are brewed at a facility in Hokkaido and are set for retailling only in Hokkaido, the standard Black Label sold nationwide could have been made in any number of regional breweries. Both Classics have a similar color and level of carbonation, but remember, this wasn’t a side-by-side test. Although I said the “green letter” Classic had a more pronounced maltiness, the “blue letter” was not without a solid malt flavor. The Classic will be available beyond the production cutoff of the 2010 Vintage Classic, so it will be available into the forseeable future. Give one a try when you’re on Hokkaido! Continue reading ‘Beer is Good – Sapporo Classic lager’
Not like I could go snowboarding today anyway, but seeing as there is 3 to 6cm of snow in town, it must be off-the-hook at Kokusai! I’m so salty about the deletion of the early season weekday buses, that I don’t want to even go look at the webcams until I’m back in The States. I don’t need the aggrivation!
(0)
The dark version of Suntory’s premium Malts lager, this dunkel arrives with the same high quality ingredients and solid taste foundation. If given the choice between all the standard offerings from the major Japanese mega-breweries, I’ll usually reach for a Suntory Malts above all others. The moderate hoppyness and full malt flavor makes it my favorite. This dark version has a slightly different flavor than the regular Malts. The obvious difference is the smoky flavor imparted by the darkly roasted malt, but there is a hint of a sweet note, perhaps from a stronger decoction resulting in a less complete attenuation: I’m not convinced that the sweetness is from something different in the hopping, and the mouthfeel does feel a little thicker than regular Malts. This dark is an interesting change from the regular Malts, so if you see one, give it a try! Continue reading ‘Beer is Good – Suntory Malts Kuro lager’
Waiting at the Excalibur gondola download crowd, checking out the hot dark complexioned Asian cutie. making up stories of why she’s standing by herself looking all pissed off after Mountain Safety talked to her. She must have been scolded fir being too extreme on her board. And now she’s getting pissed waiting for her flailing boyfriend to come down the mountain.
And then Derek comments that she looks like Ckucky, if he were a girl. Look out Chucky, someones been checking you out!
I don’t have a can of the “blue letter” Sapporo Classic to do a side-by-side taste test, but this limited edition brew from Sapporo Breweries is definitely a winner. Like the standard Sapporo Classic, this “green letter” variety is supposedly only available in Hokkaido. The color, mouthfeel, and structure is essentially the same as the generic Sapporo Black Label lager available worldwide, but the flavor is distinct. Typical of most Japanese dry lagers, this one is well attenuated with no unconverted sugars available to taste. A good hit of bittering hops makes sure the “dry” point is driven home. The initial bitter is followed by a good, rich maltiness that fades smoothly to a clean finish. Just a little more bitter, and they will be approaching Wernesgruener territory! This one is up there with the “gold can” Sapporo brewed with 100% Hokkaido barley and hops. As this is a limited edition both for time and sales territory, give it a try if you have the chance! Continue reading ‘Beer is Good – Sapporo Classic 2010 Vintage Lager’
Went by the theaters in Sapporo Factory last night to see The Expendables. People in The USA can’t complain about ticket prices hitting the $10 USD, as admission in Japan is 1800-yen! That’s over $21.50 USD at today’s exchange rate! F me running! I don’t know if being able to get a Sapporo Classic draft beer for 600-yen, or a large size for 800-yen makes up for it. Being able to hit Taj Mahal afterwards for some Brinjal Bharta and Chana Masala did though!
Happy to report snow situation looking good. Vancouver city is even getting a good dump. Whistler is likewise! Checked into unit at Eagle Lodge and amazingly unit is right by elevator. Usually we get stuck way in the boonies, you know how the boys like to party!
In YVR a little late, but our bus is three hours away anyway. Snowing at airport, plane has to pause a bit before pulling into gate because can’t see the lane markings on ground!