Dean has come to my rescue with a guest posting to my blog. Enjoy! Beer is a big part of culture in Japan. I think that having a beer with a meal is more common than Americans having a glass of wine with their meal. When you visit Japan, one notices the proliferation of beer ads throughout the city. In the summer, part of the weather forecast is a measure of how good your beer will taste. Depending on the temperature and humidity, the number of beer steins range from 1 to 4. With the more steins meaning that the beer will taste better that day. What I have come to realize is that this really means that it will be hot humid day.
In either case, I have a few favorite beers that would like to share today.Last year, I came across Sapporo Winter's Tale (Fuyu Monogatari) beer. As you sink down your first gulp, you realize that this is not a chugging beer rather something that should be sipped to enjoy the subtle flavor. It is rather heavy for a Japanese beer. However, a lot lighter than your US micros. http://www.sapporobeer.jp/product/beer/winter.html (5.5% Alcohol)
My favorite beer of choice in Japan is Yebisu Black. Not to be confused with the Black Label Lagers this is a dark beer. More porter than stout, it is very smooth with rich but not overbearing flavor that is perfect for the Japanese social drinking seen. It is clean going down with no after taste or burp factor. Perhaps more notable is the fact that this beer is not as heavy as it seems. This is a relatively light beer for a porter. Nonetheless this is my staple as I look for it everywhere I go. No the rumors are not true this is not available in the states. This beer is a limited distribution in Japan as well. (5.0% Alcohol) Ahh, roasted barley and hops...http://www.sapporobeer.jp/product/beer/yebisu_black.htmlPosted by Dean Sakata
