Japanese Name: サントリ ザ・ロイヤル・ビター
Brewer: Suntory
Release: Feb. 14, 2012
Type: Beer（ビール）
Alcohol: 6%
Purchase Price: ￥217 @Sankus

Tasting Notes:
Suntory’s most recent limited production beer was released exclusively to convenience stores around Japan last week. Suntory The Royal Bitter uses the labor intensive decoction brewing technique found in German and Czech beers, resulting in a very yummy brew.

In the glass the golden-orange highlights the hoppy aroma that fills the air. Its full bodied, well rounded flavor awaits you, and as the name states, the “royal bitter” flavor stays with you as the first gulp slides down your throat, lingering on the back of the tongue until you reach for another.

While I find Suntory’s The Premium Malt’s to have a slightly off-putting sharpness, The Royal Bitter hits my sweetspot of full flavor and a round bitter taste. It’s really a good beer, for those looking for a little more in their Japanese lager. Stock up at your local conbini while supplies last.

Sapporo has reformulated its dai-san beer Mugi to Hop, with a new ato-aji or aftertaste. Personally, I don’t really remember the previous version’s aftertaste, but since this is my daily drinker, I continue to remain satisfied. The package design has also changed, bringing on a shiny gold color compared to the previous matte gold.

Japanese Name: サッポロ 札幌開拓使麦酒 PREMIUM
Brewer: Sapporo
Release: Nov. 16, 2011
Type: Beer（ビール）
Alcohol: 5.5%
Purchase Price: ￥220 @Sankus

Tasting Notes:
In 1876, Sapporo created Japan’s first beer, serving as the theme for Sapporo Kaitakushi Beer Premium. Its 100% malt and Furano hops recipe shows off a wonderful amber color and from the color and hoppy aroma, you can guess there’s something special in the glass.

The first gulp gives off a slightly vinegary flavor present in some microbrews, offering some uniqueness, while the malt and long lasting bitterness, stays true to the Sapporo line. If you’re interested in a Japanese beer with a little more flavor than the usual offerings, you’ll find salvation in Sapporo Kaitakushi Beer Premium. It’s only available at the convenience stores, and for a limited time.

Official Site
News Release

Japanese Name: 初号アサヒビール 復刻版
Brewer: Asahi
Release: Nov. 29, 2011
Type: Beer（ビール）
Alcohol: 5.5%
Purchase Price: ￥217 @Circle K

Tasting Notes:
This all malt and hop beer is a remake of Asahi Beer’s original recipe first sold in 1892 (25th year of the Meiji period), and gold medal winner at the 1900 Paris Expo. It has a slightly higher ABV at 5.5% than most Japanese beers, with the only difference in its production process is the use of current brewing techniques that do not need heat pasteurization.

Popping the top and pouring this bad boy into the glass you can see a deep golden color not present in the majority of the big 4′s standard brews. It’s got a wonderful sweet malty nose, and the first gulp introduces plenty of malty-hoppy goodness with just a touch of bitterness, making you wonder why Asahi only makes this in limited quantities. I could get used to drinking Asahi “Original” on a regular basis.

Double thumbs up to Asahi. Lovers of Japanese beer living in Japan, better head out and get Shogo Asahi Beer while supplies last, it’s a winner.

Official Site [jp]

Japanese Name: サントリ　レッド　ロマンス
Brewer: Suntory
Release: Nov. 1, 2011
Type: Happousei （発泡性）
Alcohol: 5%
Purchase Price: ￥139 @Sankus

Tasting Notes:
With Red Romance, Suntory has crossed the boundaries of the new genre beverages, creating a brew with 4% cassis juice, and is somewhat equivalent to those raspberry beers sold in the US.

Suntory’s Red Romance has a very sweet flavor, tasting like a fortified wine to some extent. Its effervescence and bubbly head is the only indicator it is actually a beer-like beverage. Personally, I found the sweet flavor quite unpalatable, and while drinkable I would not find myself reaching for another.

Just who exactly is the target market for Red Romance? Beer drinkers will opt for a beer, dai-san, or whatever. Those wanting a fruity alcoholic beverage will probably reach for a chuhai. Luckily, I don’t think this one will be in production for long, and will probably not make another appearance in Japan.

Official Site [jp]

Here we have the new-genre dai-san beer Fuyu Kirin (Winter Kirin) from, you guessed it, Kirin. The can design and flavor did not change since first released in 2010.

Japanese Name: アサヒ 冬の贈り物
Brewer: Asahi
Release: Oct. 10, 2011
Type: Happousei（発泡性）
Alcohol: 5%
Purchase Price: ￥139 @Sankus

Tasting Notes:
Following in the footsteps of other major Japanese brewers, Asahi decided to release its first new genre dai-san beer (happousei) called Asahi Fuyu no Okurimono (Winter’s Gift). The crystal malt flavors the front end with some bitter-sweetness. It’s a smooth drinking happousei, that finishes “dry” along side Asahi’s other beverages.

Production stopped in December 2011, so you might be hard pressed to find Asahi Fuyu no Okurimono on the store shelves still.

News Release [jp]

Japanese Name: キリン　一番搾り　２０１１　とれたてホップ
Brewer: Kirin
Release: Nov. 9, 2011
Type: Beer（ビール）
Alcohol: 5%
Purchase Price: ￥217 @Sankus

Tasting Notes:
2011′s Ichiban Shibori Toretate Hop from Kirin is a tribute to the survivors of the Great Eastern Japan Earthquake. Made from hops grown in Iwate Prefecture’s Tono, Toretate Hop’s release is an annual event that Kirin chose to continue through all the troubles that continue to plague the region.

Read last year’s Ichiban Shibori Toretate Hop tasting notes. Enjoy!

Official Site [jp]
News Release [jp]

Japanese Name: サッポロ 2011-2012 冬物語 (Fuyu Monogatari)
Brewer: Sapporo
Release: Nov. 9, 2011
Type: Beer（ビール）
Alcohol: 5.5%
Purchase Price: ￥217 @Circle K (conbini)

Tasting Notes:
As 2011 comes to an end, we can enjoy Sapporo’s Fuyu Monogatari, aka The Winter’s Tale. Check out last year’s Fuyu Monogatari tasting for my tasting comments.

Official Site
News Release

Japanese Name: サッポロ 生ビール 黒ラベル 東北ホップ 100%
Brewer: Sapporo
Release: Oct. 26, 2011
Type: Japanese Beer
Alcohol: 5%
Purchase Price: ￥217 @Sankus (combini)

Tasting Notes:
In its third year of production, Sapporo Black Label made completely with hops grown in Iwate Prefecture is usually only sold in the Tohoku region. This year however, in an attempt to bring the country together after the Great East Japan Earthquake, Sapporo has released this limited brew across the country.

Opening the can gives off a fresh green hoppy aroma, while giving a nice grassy bitterness in the glass. This black label has a nice round flavor that is easy drinking, but keeps things interesting with rich malt and bitter hops. The finish is short, but the flavors do linger in the mouth, to keep you coming back for more.

I hope Sapporo continues to distribute its Tohoku Hop Black Label nationwide in the coming years. Find yours on store shelves while the supply lasts. Cheers!

Official Site [jp]
News Release [jp]