On draught at Leibespeise, the brewery tap in Sapporo, 2007. Medium amber color, nice head. Rich malt aroma, with a bit of caramel and cereals. Slightly cookieish. Full malt flavor, rich and grainy, a touch of light amber roasting, a bit sweet, slightly fruity and buttery. Light hopping, but enough. An excellent fest bier, with full flavor. Drying, slightly roasted finish, round and mellow. Gets fuller and maltier as it warms. Excellent for the type. The bottled version has a more pronounced cereal character, still excellent.

On tap at the brewery tap in Sapporo. Cloudy, slightly darker than usual. Very fragrant, with pears, spices, a touch of citrus, and the requisite bananas. Rich, thick malt flavor. Smooth, crisp. Slightly sour, with bananas and pears. Excellent. Great balance. Good sourness. Interesting, highly original fruit character.

Draught at the brewery tap in Sapporo. Golden color with a tall, foamy head. Big bubbles. Aroma of fruit and hops. Full malt flavor. Light, clean flavor. Good hops. Very tasty, round, and slightly buttery. Dry, hoppy finish. Excellent. Great hops.

Draught at the brewery tap in Sapporo. Medium brown or dark amber color. Lighter than usual. Weakish amber malt aroma. Rich malt flavor, but still rather light. Caramel flavor, sweet, but not overly so. Roasted malt, slightly sweet finish. Very drinkable. Not super distinctive, but very good. Not too sweet, and very well balanced. Got more complex as it warmed, with richer malt flavors coming out.

After trying this beer in a bottle in Sapporo the day before, I didn’t have much hope, but from the brewery in Otaru this thing was amazing. Chocolate malts and earth notes really shone through. Mouth is slightly sour with cherries and chocolate malt at the forefront. Lingering chcolately finish. Highly drinkable and clean.

I originally gave this beer a 1.6, as I bought a bottle in Tokyo and Otaru beer clearly doesn’t travel well. At the brewery, this had a full on floral nose with toasted malts. Hoppy start, but then becomes more balanced. A bit sweeter than I was expecting. Moderately bitter finish. Excellent on draft at the brewery.

[Bottled] Lightly hazy dark amber, rich head. Toffee aroma. Fairly sweet with plenty of caramel and odd notes of tiger balm. Medium bodied with clean, rounded mouthfeel. Low bitterness.

[Bottled] Cloudy dark yellow. Estery strawberry aroma. Dryish with soft mouthfeel. The flavours go more towards lemon or citrus than banana. Cloces are evident. The dryness and softness makes it very refreshing.

[Bottled] Hazy pale yellow, rich head. Distinct grassy nose. Dry and freshly malty with soft mouthfeel. Bready malt together with newly mown grass makes up most of the flavour. Lingering bitter finish. More similar to the softer south German pilseners than the drier and crisper north German ones.