Amber Lager (Half and Half)

Fizzy and bit thin. Light caramel, best so far.

I picked up this bottle of Oirase Amber Lager from one of these prefecture shops I found underground not too far from Craft Beer Base Bud. These are good places to turn up beers you otherwise don’t really find in Osaka. A deep lustrous mahogany red-brown with a thick beige head that left virtually no lacing behind. The aroma is pretty good: fruity, caramel/fudge. Medium bodied with a dry finish, I feel this is a decent example of the style. At first it is sweet with rich caramel notes then it gets a bit bitter and roasty while the aftertaste gives nutty flavors. These guys seem much better than I remember them being then again they’re in bottles while the last time I had it in twist top stubby aluminium bottles.

Draught at Bay Brewing Yokohama. Medium brown with lace. Grainy nose, big cereal malts, a bit of caramel and just a touch of cherry. Rich, malty flavor, fruity, with caramel and some chocolate. Great grains, some cherry and other fruits. Slightly bitter finish. A bit too fruity.