Beer of the Week - Jan 17 - Asahi Super Dry

500 mL can
Price: $ 2.55
Beer, Lager,
5.0% Alcohol/Vol.
Sugar Content : 3
Made in: Japan
By: Asahi Breweries

LCBO Tasting Note: Pale golden yellow; light grainy/fruity nose; light-bodied with a clean dry finish.

According to their website, Asahi is Japanese for “rising sun”. A symbol of Spirit, hope and inspiration.
Asahi beer originated in 1892 by the Osaka Brewing Company. In 1906, the Japan Brewing Company, Sapporo Brewing Company and Osaka Brewing Company combined to form the Dainippon Beer Company. In 1949, Dainippon decided to split the company into two separate companies and Asahi Breweries was born.

In 1987, they came out with Japan's first dry beer, Asahi Super Dry. At the time, Asahi was ranked third out of the four national Japanese breweries. Now Asahi beers account for 50% of the Japanese beer market and Asahi Super Dry is ranked ninth in terms of global market share.

Their world headquarters known as the Asahi Beer Hall is located on the the Sumidagawa river. The building is shaped like a beer glass with the flame on top. The flame is supposed to symbolize the 'burning heart of Asahi beer'. Tand rises several stories above the river. Many refer to it though as "the golden turd". The structure is considered one of Tokyo's most recognized buildings.

Now, time to pour some and get to the tasting ...

The beer pours a very light yellow colour, with a head that dissipated quickly. There is a sense of hoppiness to the aroma. When I first sipped it, it had more of a bitterness than I expected for a "dry" beer. The bitterness, though, left quickly and I found the beer held an unpleasant aftertaste, which I could not put my finger on.

"Dry" beers, I have found in the past, tend to be flavourless. This one does have flavour but that aftertaste put me off. This is not a beer that I would try again.