1001 Beers

Beer No: 12/1001
Page No: 623
Category: Dark

Welcome back!  I hope everyone had a nice Easter Sunday.  I certainly enjoyed the day with a trio of beers - Arkh Pale Ale (home brew of course), New Belgium's Transatlantique Kriek, and then The Bruery's Oude Tart.  So after starting with a nice malty and hoppy pale, I made the transition to fruity, sour beers.  And boy was it delectable. None of those beers are part of my 1001, so I'm heading back to a beer I had Friday night, the Asahi Black.

Asahi is more well known for their Super Dry Asahi, but the black seems to be gaining traction after being introduced in 1995.  Not as heavy as a Guinness, the Asahi Black is a dark pilsner brewed with barley, maize, and rice.  Though you might expect a darker beer to be a bit heavier in texture, the lagering and cold conditioning really make the Asahi Black a very drinkable, crisp, and almost light beer.  I was pleasantly surprised to find it easy to drink and flavorful.

My review, cross-posted at RateBeer.com:

Asahi Black (Kuronama) from Asahi Breweries

Aroma: 4/10
Appearance: 3/5
Flavor: 6/10
Palate: 2/5
Overall: 11/20

Rating: 2.6 / 5.0

Had from bottle, pours a dark brown, almost black color with very small brownish/beige head. Lacing is minimal and head dissipates quickly. Aromas of roasted malts, nuts, and coffee. Flavor is balanced nicely between malts and hops, but a bit on the weak side. It’s a crisp, easy-drinking beer, but nothing I’d go back to given a choice.