Asahi Stout

Brewed by Asahi Breweries
Style: Foreign Stout
Tokyo, Japan

Bottled at RBJG park session. Nearly black, beige creamy head. With lots of chocolate, notes of salt and plums and solid full sized body it certainly takes me by surprise. Mild, yet warming with alcohol hidden in caramel and tar. Lingering cocoa bitterness. Why aren’t all Asahi beers this good?

Black. Slight head. Sweet, rich, dark malt aroma with massive depths of plum, raisin, dark chocolate, spices, and plenty of alcohol. The silky body is less complex, sadly, than the aroma. It has chocolate and sweet dark malts, but lacks the fruity density and alcohol kick the aroma told me to expect. It’s drinkable, and overall fairly decent, but lacks the depth and complexity to measure up to the Couragesque aroma. Flavourwise, it’s more on a par with ABC Stout...not the worst thing on Earth but the aroma had me expecting a world classic.

Bottle. Lovely black clear colourv with a nice long lasting light brownish head. Aroma of burned malts, raisins, bitter chocolate and alcohol. Great mouthfeel! Chocolate bitterish flavour, bit coffee, plenty of burned malts and some dry hoppiness.

My Bottom Line:
Candied berries and roastiness align right before they leave room for a lightly bitter and softly tart finish to create even more interest. A well-done Foreign Stout from a macrobrewery? Pinch me.

Further Personal Perceptions:
-A ring of foam looks into the brown-sleeved black.
-The baccate fruitiness recalls blackberries and cherries.
-Roasted malts leave some bitterness for the end, which is somewhat marred by a lightly mineral personality.
-Caramel and chocolate team up to provide a sweet base on which the fruitiness can dally.

On tap at Popeye’s.

Huge thanks to IslandHaole for this one. This one is world class! Obsidian pour with medium tan head and great lacing. Aromas of big chocoff, oak, cabernet, some tart kriekiness. Tastes roasty malty, with chocoff, some peat mossyness, whisky, and finishing touch of tartness. Medium palate with great complexity. A great beer.

(bottle - 330 ml) Courtesy of KyotoLefty. Dark black pour with a fluffy tan head. Aroma is very sweet and malty with some hints of roasted coffee and whiskey. Flavor is smooth and roasted at the beginning with a smooth and slightly chocolaty middle. Finishes warm and roasty with a mild and sweet malt finish. Didn’t realize the alcohol was this high.

Pours a black with a little brown head. Nice aromas of roasted malt/chocolate. A little dry in the flavor/finish of coffee/chocolate.

Dégusté au Mondial de la Bière 2004. Pas bon! Très crossé, arrière goût méchant et trop d’alcool. Je ne l’ai pas fini.