Kohaku no Toki: Best beer I've had in Japan thus far

[nikkuchan]

I’ve been drinking this stuff on occasion for the last few months, and now I think I should share it. A ramen shop I went to once was serving this amber beer (brewed by Asahi) that I’ve never heard of called “Kohaku no Toki.” I asked about it and found that it’s only served on tap at certain places (if they sold this in stores I’d get a lot). I ordered one expecting some sort of bad Kilkenny’s imitation. What I got was one of the best beers I’ve ever tasted in Japan. It was a dark copper, redish-brown color, and had nice thick head; not like Guinness, mind you, but still good. The beer was thick and malty, and had a very deep, bitter taste. What really got me was that there was a slight hint of what tasted like brown sugar, or possible maple. Anyway, it’s a tasty tasty beer. If you’re in Japan and see this on tap anywhere, order it. You will be pleased.

Here’s a crappy iphone photo of a glass:

 

[Fnord5]

Asahi gives me a headache.
Even a little 12 ounce glass kills me within 15-20 minutes.
Tasty stuff though.

 

[nikkuchan]

Asahi gives me a headache.
Even a little 12 ounce glass kills me within 15-20 minutes.
Tasty stuff though.

Agreed. I never drink Asahi, but this is my exception.

 

[The Nid Hog]

That sounds good. I think that, after ten years or so, they're brewing some nice darker beers in Japan. Still, for my money the best is Ebisu (although I harbor a secret love for Orion).

 

[marvin100]

Yeah, Ebisu is the best to my taste as well. Had some today at my local soba shop.

 

[nikkuchan]

That sounds good. I think that, after ten years or so, they're brewing some nice darker beers in Japan. Still, for my money the best is Ebisu (although I harbor a secret love for Orion).

 

[scottish steve]

The "nama biru" I used to like was Ebisu Gold but I also liked Kirin and I remember a wheatbeer ending in something like "no kata"? They do make nice stuff and the best thing about it is its so clean 99.999% of the time. I live 30 yards from a Noodle Cafe in Glasgow and while the food's pretty good, their "Japanese"beer is brewed under license in Southern England, which is NOT renowned for its water quality and so it doesn't taste the same.