Please Help Japan

Hamanasu Draft

This is another of the "novelty" beers for want of a better description from Abashiri Brewery, in Abashiri City, Hokkaido.

The other one is Ryuhyou Draft Okhotsk Blue and it's...blue.

The Hamansu Draft is a pink, reddish colour like a rose wine.
Hamanasu is also called "Rosa Rugosa" or "Japanese Rose", and is a pink rose found in northeastern Japan, hence the colour of the beer.

On the pour it's very fizzy with a white, fizzy head, and a light floral, juicy nose.

On the palate, it's a slightly bitter, and fairly dry beer.

There's a subtle floral hint on the palate but no much. There's more floral notes on the nose.

It's an ok, novelty beer but tastewise too dry and a little carbonated, like a happoshu or a daisan.

The brewery's website is here and although it's Japanese only there are some TV adverts on the home page you might find interesting.

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