Sapporo Mugi to Hoppu (Barley and Hops)

Favorite of the japanese beers form night one in japan. Poured a golden yellow, small head. Nose was rich of barley, not much hop, slightly floral and earthy. Taste is grainy, decent mouthfeel, earthy hops, slight sweetness, hearty.

Can at Hotel Okuyumoto, Hakone, Room 408 – shared with Mette, before dinner. Clear yellow – white head. Aluminium, rice, sharpness, zesty, light hoppy, syrup, artificial.

The wife brought this baby back from Japan and it came in a small gold can. Poured the expected pale carbonated gold with a quickly receding head. Aroma was a nice surprise, as it had a hint of sweetness to the point where I expected something perhaps along the lines of a German Weisse. Of course it just ended up being a lager, but a slightly hoppy one with a slightly sharp and metallic aftertaste. Not sure what the angle with this beer is, after happoshu, but it’s pretty standard Japanese-lager fare. Nothing to write home about, but on a night out in Tokyo I’m sure I could pound back plenty of this while karakokeing at some tiny bar until 6am.

Canned. Clear yellow with a medium white bubbly creamish head. Aroma of grassy hops, some grains. Good mouthfeel. Mild maltiness in the flavour with a soft pleasant bitterness. Dry bitter finish. Thanks Aya!