Bottle I got as omiyage from Dogashima. Labelled as Dogashima Beer, Umi No Ao - but it also is saying that it's brewed at Usami Brewery, so I am quite convinced that this is one of their lineup beers, just with a different label. Label is saying "top-fermented", so I am going with kölsch. Pours nice golden yellow, clear and with some white foam on the top - that does not stay there for too long. Aroma is simple, just doe green hops, light grainy bread, maybe a touch of fruitiness but maybe not. Taste comes off as nicely refreshing, grainy base and light hop bitterness on top. Super simple beer - but as it seems to be fresh, it is not bad.

Bottle ordered from the brewery. Served in my kolsch glass at home, it impressed with it’s vivid gold and thick dense head of foam that left big soapy lacing behind. The aroma is floral then a hayloft type of graininess with subtle hits of a tangy fruitiness around the edges. I was pleasantly surprised as I wasn’t expecting all that much from this beer. Aqueously light bodied with a silky mouthfeel as the beer glides down my throat. The taste is extremely mild hop fruit notes but predominately the hops come through as herbal/spicy - light but deftly done. Sweet grainy breadiness like a dense loaf of good stuff with a semi-dry finish. Maybe after a long day I just needed a beer or something but this really hit the spot. I think they’ve stepped up their game...