In a perfect world there would always be a delicious craft beer close at hand. We don’t (yet) live in that world, especially in Japan. A friend and I did a blind taste test of Japanese macro-beers, to help in those moments when your only option is whatever is on sale at the local convenience […]
This week we’ve decided to go with something a little more recognizable, especially for those of you in Japan. Best known for its ubiquitous but fairly ordinary Super Dry, Asahi Breweries also produces a noteworthy stout. Asahi Stout is a very dark, strongly flavored, high-gravity ale with 8% abv. It’s available only in 334-ml bottles […]
Every year the entire nation of Japan leaps for joy at the coming of the cherry blossom season. Cherry trees bloom for about two weeks in early spring and are a national obsession. News shows and travel companies offer trackers and updates so you can plan your hanami parties. The ideas behind hanami, which means […]
Last year Americans bought more craft beer than they did Budweiser. In the 1970s there were only forty-four breweries in the United States, but now there are over three thousand. The market for “macro” lager is on the decline and the companies that make it are looking at craft beer as a way to turn […]
Japan is pretty well known for creating things with very unusual flavors. From Cucumber soda to mayonnaise and wasabi chips to fish ice cream to black garlic beer it sometimes seems that nothing is too weird for this country. So it wasn’t too shocking when hop flavored sparkling water appeared. Even though it isn’t beer, […]
