Sapporo Reserve Beer

Dead Soldier

Where to Dig Up More About This Beer
Sapporo Reserve Beer
Sapporo Brewing Company
20-1, Ebisu 4-chrome, Shibuya-ku
Tokyo-to Tokyo-shi, Japan
Est.1876
www.sapporobeer.jp

Brewed by:
Sapporo Brewing Company
(Formerly Sleeman Breweries)
551 Clair Road West
Guelph, Ontario Canada
www.sapporobeer.com

Brain Damage Quotient = 5.2% ABV
Fluid Oz. = 22.0 

Postmortem Brew Review
Fairly clear and yellow/golden color.
Grain sweetness and hops.
Tall, tightly bubbled, foaming white head with good lace.
Malt taste and hops finish.
Copious carbonation.
Light body. Clean finish. Refreshing and drinkable.

Grim Reaper's Eulogy 
Premium or Reserve? They are pretty close to me, except for a .2% higher ABV and a golden colored can, I am unable to see or taste much of a difference between this Reserve and the previously reviewed Premium. Both are tasty as far as lagers go. Both have a nice malt taste with a dash of bittering hops for finish. And both come in gleaming sculpted vessels.

Be sure to take a look at the Sapporo commercial, it is like a movie trailer for the next most awesome CGI style fantasy film. Mere words cannot describe it, except to say that it will take you on a 100+ year history of the science, art and magic that has become the Sapporo brewing dynasty. It is breathtaking, beautiful, engaging and weaves a tale of the exacting standards that German-trained brewer, Seibei Nakagawa used to create this beer at Sapporo; the oldest of breweries in Japan.

詳細してください (Shōsai shite kudasai)

Sapporo Premium Beer

Dead Soldier

Where to Dig Up More About This Beer
Sapporo Premium Beer
Sapporo Brewing Company
20-1, Ebisu 4-chrome, Shibuya-ku
Tokyo-to Tokyo-shi, Japan
Est.1876
www.sapporobeer.jp 

Brewed by:
Sapporo Brewing Company
(Formerly Sleeman Breweries)
551 Clair Road West
Guelph, Ontario Canada
www.sapporobeer.com

Brain Damage Quotient = 5.0% ABV
Fluid Oz. = 22.0 

Postmortem Brew Review
Fairly clear and yellow color.
Grain sweetness and hops.
Tall, tightly bubbled white head with good lace.
Malt taste and hops finish.
Copious carbonation.
Light body. Clean finish. Refreshing and drinkable.

Grim Reaper's Eulogy 
Here's a first.  This request came in from a reader and fan of Ales From The Crypt. He had sent me a link of a commercial advertisement for this product. The beer, while a fairly straightforward and bland lager, is elevated above other adjunct style beers, in my opinion.  While not tremendous, I found the body extremely refreshing and the taste was more than palatable.

The Sapporo commercial, on the other hand, is like a movie trailer for the next most awesome CGI style fantasy film. Mere words cannot describe it, except to say that it will take you on a 100+ year history of the science, art and magic that has become the Sapporo brewing dynasty. It is breathtaking, beautiful, engaging and weaves a tale of the exacting standards that German-trained brewer, Seibei Nakagawa used to create this beer at Sapporo; the oldest of breweries in Japan.

I was equally impressed by the 22 ounce can.  It has a fluted shaped body with barrel ribs all around. These ribs add a stiff reinforcement to the aluminum can.  You will find it difficult to crush or even tweak in you hand. Seriously, if they had made the Zero's and Zeke's outta this stuff, who knows what might have happened during WWII.  Even the bottom of the can is highly polished. So much so that you can see your reflection in the gleaming metal!

A lot has to be said about good packaging and creative advertising. In summary, the ad may have worked to make me buy one can for review, but I tell you that I wouldn't mind having more of this style lager.

詳細してください (Shōsai shite kudasai)

Hitachino Nest White Ale

Dead Soldier

Where to Dig Up More About This Beer
Hitachino Nest White Ale
Kiuchi's Brewery
Kounsosu, Naka-shi, Ibaraki, Japan
Est. 1823 (sake) - 1996 (beer)
www.kodawari.cc 

Brain Damage Quotient = 5.0 % ABV
Fluid Oz. = 11.2 

Postmortem Brew Review
Light golden, slight haze in color.
Coriander, orange and nutmeg scents in the aroma.
Slightly foamy head that dissipates to a whisper.
Refreshingly light bodied mouth feel.

Grim Reaper's Eulogy
Ancient, mysterious intrigue from the Orient. Look closely at the background of the label and you'll see the White Ale letters blending in, ninja like, indeed! Extraordinary website that gives an excellent overview of this company's heritage. Do indulge a few minutes and while there, peruse the history tab. Quite interesting.

This quiet little owl is done up in Japan, but in a Belgian wit style. Light, remarkably clear with a clean refreshing taste. Normally, wit's are not my cup of tea, but I would definitely give this a go, again.

Try it and see if you 'give a hoot' about it.

Kirin Ichiban

Dead Kamikaze

Where to Dig Up More About This Beer

Kirin Ichiban
Shinkawa 2-chome, Chuo-ku
Tokyo, Japan
Est. ????
www.kirin.com

Brain Damage Quotient=4.95% ABV
Fluid Oz. = 12.0 

Postmortem Brew Review
Soft golden yellow in color.
Crisp malt, rice and corn with lots of carbonation.
Decent head with soft clumpy rings in the lacing.
Medium bodied mouth feel. 

Grim Reaper's Eulogy
Well after reviewing so many domestic and European brews, we've finally gone east. To the Far East, that is, only to find out Anheuser Busch has their mitts in this one...so before you go putting on a kimono and serving up some sushi, listen up.

Kirin is a very good beer with a distinct taste. Hmmm....I just can't put my bony finger on it....perhaps it's the rice? Yes, that would explain why the Budman's interested in this import. After all, Bud is blended with rice in it's recipe, so that would seem to explain their involvement. And we all know the rocking-est place in the world is Bud-o-kan, which is Japanese for, Budweiser-in-a-can. If you don't believe me, you can go, "...wax off Daniel-san!"

One more interesting note.....this is the first beer I've rated with two numbers to the right of the decimal point. I guess the Japanese brew masters are as precise as their engineers!