Can from Seijo Ishii. Citrus and mint, licorice and chocolate in the nose. Just slightly roasty. Mostly sweet and hoppy. A touch of miso too. Shiny black with a low, fine head. Menthol, herbal flavor, orange, Belgian chocolate. Pretty tasty. Nothing to blow you away but a solid Cascadian dark without the burnt coffee notes that I hate in the style.

Yo Ho Beersaurus Black IPA 5% A Seijo Ishio find that to me suits a gloomy day well. It’s got a chocolate molasses sweet bun malt character with piney malt notes. Well balanced medium bodied beer featuring roasty chocolate malts and bright semi-sweet piney hops. Solid example but as usual with Yo Ho they don’t really shine or stand out. Good beers at a good enough price point for Japan. Are they the Sierra Nevada of Nihon?

molasses, dark chocolate citrus and pine notes. Fairly bitter. Modest roastiness. Decent but not mind blowing

350 ml can from omiyage shop @ Sakudaira station. Pours dark brown, some brownish or beige foam on the top, leaves some lacings. Nose is soft, light roast and dark fruits, some hop freshness coming out too. Tastes soft, easy-drinking - but has medium bitterness and light ashy roast character. Some dried plum sweetness and a bit of cocoa. Decent smashable Black IPA, not overly exciting but does deliver on the promise.