My 1600th rating, thanks for the can KyotoLefty! Served in a footed pilsner. Deep orange in color with a big fizzy beige head that vanished fast leaving lots of effervescent rising through the crystal clear beer. Rich malt aroma, caramel, I get a bit of a sweet umeshu vibe - that kind of candied plum aroma as well, some bready but sweet character too. This beer smells quite nice, malt forward but not overly sweet or sugary. Medium to full bodied with a smooth silky slick mouthfeel. The taste is a bit boozy but with lots of malt qualities. cracker, bready, rich pitted fruits. Following KyotoLefty’s tip let’s try it on the rocks: it has rendered the malts more nutty, a bit more bitter less sweet fruits, some caramel and I think the hops are more evident in the flavor but the aroma of the beer is muted- intriguing change. On the rocks or straight this is a solid beer. I think I liked it better straight though.

Can. This is only available in a Summer "Chugen" gift pack. Amber-orange color with a low, fine head. Malty nose, Vienna-like, with caramel, toastiness, and some earthy hops. Very malty flavor, light caramel and toast, with a very nice hoppiness to balance. Light citrus, grass, earth, and solid bitterness. Rather heavy body for a summer beer, which is probably why they recommend drinking it on the rocks, which I might try with another can… Nice bitter, prickly finish leaves me happy at the end. This is much like a Heller Bock, but the hopping doesn’t really fit that style, so I think this is the right category.