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Japanese Autumn Beers 2011

MoIppai — Fri, 16 Sep 2011 13:37:54 +0000

Suntory Aki Raku

Japan is a country with four very distinct seasons and these are usually marked by the release of seasonal beers (or more often than not these days, daisan or low malt fake beers) from the main brewers here.

Last year I reviewed the Aki Aji 秋味 (Taste of Autumn) from Kirin which got a 2011 release also, but Suntory also released the Aki Raku 秋楽 (Translation: Autumn Comfort/Fun) this year.

(Update: It seems this was released last year too, but I guess I missed it. I found a review of it on Beers of Japan from 2010).

Reviewing it myself the other day, I found it to be an okay daisan, a bit flabby and flat, with not much flavourwise, except a slight taste of malt and a very subtle hint of dark chocolate.

However, having said that, for a daisan it’s not actually that bad!

The full review can be found here: Suntory Aki Raku Review

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Japanese Brewers Give Up on Happoshu

MoIppai — Wed, 02 Mar 2011 14:32:43 +0000

A Sapporo Happoshu

Ok, this news is a little bit old, as the Daily Yomiuri reported it back in January, but I’ve been busy and not
had time to put this post up.

Basically it seems that some of the major Japanese brewers, Suntory and Sapporo to be precise, are essentially stopping their production of Happoshu (low-malt beers).
They will continue to make seasonal and regional happoshus apparently, but in-principle at least, they are stopping production.

Asahi is also reducing it’s production by 20%, but Kirin (who make the very popular Tanrei happoshu) have no plans to reduce their happoshu range.

The reason behind this is it seems happoshu become popular as a cheap alternative to regular beer (as they are taxed less due to quirks in the Japanese alcohol tax system that sets a tax rate based on the amount of malt in the drink).

The problem is, the tax has increased twice in recent years making it not really noticeably cheaper than regular beer, and also the introduction of Daisan (or third-category beer) which uses even less malt, and therefore is even cheaper has reduced the desire amongst consumers for Happoshu.

Although a news report I blogged about back in December, talked about the Japanese government considering raising the tax on Daisans aswell.

So who knows, maybe in the not too distant future we’ll just be left with regular beer here in Japan.

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Top 5 Japanese Daisans (Third-category beer)

MoIppai — Sat, 01 Jan 2011 07:52:53 +0000

After ranking my Top 5 Japanese beers and Top 5 Japanese Happoshus here are my Top 5 Japanese Daisans.
Daisans are very low malt content alcoholic drinks (sometimes called “Third-Category Beers” or “Liqueurs“).

Japanese tax on alcohol varies depending on the malt content for some reason, and this type of drink has become very popular in the past few years as it has a very low malt content (they have to have less than 50%) they are much cheaper than regular beers and even Happoshus.

More information about this tax system can be found in my previous posts :
What is Happoshu? and Daisan to Face a Tax Hike?.

When I first tried Daisans in Japan, 4-5 years ago, I was shocked at how bad they tasted. But recently there has been some passable “beer-like drinks” coming out (or perhaps my tastes have changed along with my budget)?
Many daisans are more drinkable than happoshus in fact (which should technically be nearer to beers in content than daisans).
I mean, some Daisans are made out of corn and peas instead of barley and malt!

Out of all the Daisans I’ve tried this far, here are my Top 5:
(...)
Read the rest of Top 5 Japanese Daisans (Third-category beer) (298 words)

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Post tags: Daisan, Third Category Beer, Third Kind Beer

Daisan to Face a Tax Hike?

MoIppai — Sat, 18 Dec 2010 23:08:14 +0000

Suntory Kinmugi (Daisan)

A recent report in the The Mainichi Daily News says that the Japanese government are considering upping the tax on Third-Category Beers (called Daisan) in order to bring their prices more in line with conventional beers and happoshus.

In Japan the tax on “Malted” alcoholic drinks like beers depends on the percentage of malt in the drink.

Regular beers containing at least 50% malt are taxed at about ¥77 for a 350ml can.
Happoshu containing 25% to 49% are taxed at ¥62,
and drinks with less than 25% malt are taxed at ¥47.

Third-category beer (daisan) is classed as a “liqueur”, and as long as the malt percentage is less than 50%, it’s taxed only ¥28.

This has led to Daisan becoming increasingly popular as it can be a much as half the price of an ordinary beer like Asahi, or Kirin, and there has apparently been an influx of these drinks from places like South Korea, for example the Neu Welt Bergen Brau.
(...)
Read the rest of Daisan to Face a Tax Hike? (221 words)

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Post tags: Daisan

Summer in Japan – Hanabi and Suntory

MoIppai — Sat, 24 Jul 2010 08:11:13 +0000

Unlike in, say England, where we do fireworks when it’s cold and miserable in November, in Japan the fireworks season is the height of summer. In fact our city’s fireworks display and matsuri (festival) is tonight.

To celebrate the fireworks (hanabi 花火 in Japanese) season, Suntory have released a new design for their Kinmugi (Rich Malt) daisan can.

Rich Malt Hanabi Special

Nice.

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