Job Discussion Forums

[bshabu]

I like Kirin the best out the the name brands. But, the the best tasting was some of the Microbrews. However it is hit-and-miss. A good place to start is the Microbrew Festival in Shiodome, Tokyo. I had alot of nice beers there. Got drunk too.

[Cshannon]

Actually, considering the few major companies making beer in Japan (like Asahi, Sapporo, Kirin and Yebisu), I'd say the quality is really quite good... A thousand times better than the cheap crap we drink in Canada/The States. I really don't see how you can compare Asahi Super Dry (which I quite like by the way) or the other Japanese beers (happoshu aside) with something like Budweiser... seriously.

I agree Japanese beer can taste a bit similar, but not exactly (I find Yebisu pretty distinct from say Asahi) and I think it's all quite good anyway, so there's not much problem (maybe just my opinion). The malt does make for a better, higher-priced though mass-produced beer in general -- as far as I can tell (and taste) Japanese beer just is made with better ingredients on the whole than the chemical stuff in most other parts of the world. I've been to many countries and tried the nationally mass-produced stuff ad nauseum -- Japanese is far better than most. Ex: just went to Thailand; try a Singha or Chang beer and see how bad you find Japanese beer after that...

If you really want the top-notch beer, you'd better take a trip as you said to Europe (Begium or something). Otherwise I don't see what your complaining about. I'll take Asahi over Coors anyday...

I haven't seen much microbrewery beer in Japan. I tried some beer at the "Nikko Brewery" on a trip awhile ago -- it wasn't half bad.

[gaijinalways]

You can go to TY's brewery in Shinagawa. The beers are expensive, but quite delicious.

TY Harbor is in Tenosu Isle (Shinagawa-ku probably), first station on the monorail out of Hamamatsucho. Definately good stuff, light ales, very fresh, usually served 2-7 days old.

Actually, considering the few major companies making beer in Japan (like Asahi, Sapporo, Kirin and Yebisu), I'd say the quality is really quite good... A thousand times better than the cheap crap we drink in Canada/The States.

I've never drank the cheap crap, but even happoshu here is expensive. I can buy imported beer in America for the same price (or Sam Adams, the brewmaster trained at Bass)!

[guest of Japan]

[nawlinsgurl]

I am good ol' Southern girl from the States, and I have to say after Corona, Bud Lite is the best. But I was recently in Okinawa and Orion is pretty darn good. You can get Corona cheap at the Don Quixote if there's one near you.

[OaklandZoo]

has anybody had a Sapporo back in the States, the tall STEEL can that was basically indestructable (is that even a word? my english is getting worse real fast)

Guest of Japan, it is good advice, I think I'll try some Premium Malt's next time.

[/quote]

[casual]

[quote="nawlinsgurl"]I am good ol' Southern girl from the States, and I have to say after Corona, Bud Lite is the best. But I was recently in Okinawa and Orion is pretty darn good. You can get Corona cheap at the Don Quixote if there's one near you. :D[/quote]

Do women only drink Corona? I have never seen a man drinking it, certainly not in England anyway.

i always thought it was a beer for people who dont like beer

[osakajojo]

Coors Light, Miller Light, Bud Light....all tastes like cat piss.

Asahi, Suporro, Kiren...all pretty much taste the same but much better that the piss poor light beers from the States.

You can get XXXX beer from CostCo by the case, but really, it doesn't taste that great either.

I drink beer daily, personally I drink either Kiren Original Brew or Asahi Super Dry, but I agree with the post- it's not so wonderful.

On a few occassions I'll have a friend or relative, even a Japanese friend that had a layover in Texas pick me up a 6 pack of Shiner Bock.
I treat it like gold. Love Shiner.

I have found a few bars that specialize in imported beer. It is wonderful to drink, tastes good, but the whole time I drink them I just keep thinking, each sip is 100 yen.

To pay 800 or more yen for a bottle of Singha just kills me when I think I can get the same bottle in Thailand for 40 baht.
Or the same for a bottle of 333 when I could get it in Vietnam for even less!

I understand completely with the post and think this is a very serious topic.

[markle]

Near me is a chainstore called Deli that specializes in imported foods that has a pretty good selection of beer from around the world, at around the 250 to 350 yen mark except the Belgian 'handcrafted' beers.

Maybe the Budweiser you had that tasted so good was the Czech one.

[gaijinalways]

The Yamaya discount liquor store mentioned earlier specilizes in wine, but they also have decent stock in imported beers, ales, and stouts. The selection varies depending on the store and what they managed to buy that week or month, so check back regularly. The prices are not too bad, especially if you get stuff on special.

Light beer is just that, light. The only light beers I would suggest drinking are Amstel light, which has a decent taste and also I think O'Douls, another 'near beer' (as classified in America .5% alcoholic content). Both of these have a decent after taste, but certainly no one drinks them to get drunk.

Believe it or not, the American beers and the Japanese ones have the same amount of alcohol, but I can't say I drink either for the taste. Give me an ale or a stout any day !

[Sweetsee]

How about the tastiest non-alcoholic beer?

I vote for Buckler, brewed in Holland.

[osakajojo]

non-alcoholic beer is an oxymoron

[Sweetsee]

If you say so!

[shuize]

Anyone ever tried Abita Amber? Probably one of my favorite beers but unfortunately rather hard to find. Worse yet, sometimes when I think the bar has it, the waitress will misunderstand and bring Abita Purple Haze. Never, ever, under any circumstances should anyone drink that vile mixture.