Eventhough Japan is famous for sake, Japan is a beer drinking country. Dinner always start with beer!
With carefully selected ingredients, Japanese beer has been made to a rich, bitter, first-rate taste, with an irresistible aroma, and refreshing after-taste that will blow away your stresses with just one sip!
You must be 21 or older
to drink alcohol.
Please drink responsibly.
BEER GARDEN
Summertime in Japan calls for a trip to the Beer Garden! Beer Gardens are commonly located on the rooftop of shopping malls. Such a liberalizing atmosphere attracts crowds of salary-men to stop by after a day of work to relax and let loose. The Beer Garden is popular for having incredibly reasonable prices, as well as a wide assortment of appetizer dishes to complement beer. Some branches even offer buffet-style services. The environment is comfortable and perfect for large parties and gatherings, similar to that of an American sports bar. The first rooftop Beer Garden in Japan opened in Osaka, in 1953. Because of its outside location, the places are not fancy, but you can be loud and fun! Let’s join to the Beer Garden this summer!!!
THE BEST WAY TO POUR BEER JAPANESE STYLE
Whenever we order beer at a restaurant, we usually think less foam means less bitter and we are getting more of what we paid for. But in Japan, people prefer to have more than an inch of foam. Here is the most ideal way of pouring beer into a mug in Japan:
Always keep beer cold, but don’t freeze it because the taste will lose its quality. In the summer, keep it within 41-46°F, and in the winter, keep it within 50-53°F.
Always keep beer in a stable place so try not stack the beer on the refrigerator door, since the beer will be shaken every time you open the refrigerator.
Another great tip is to chill the beer mugs in the refrigerator for several minutes before drinking. Also make sure the beer mug is clean because every speck of oil and lipstick will change the taste.
Tilt the glass to 45 degrees and begin to pour the beer. When pouring from a bar tap, stick the spout into the mug so you can start from the middle of the glass. Fill the glass halfway to the top.
Once the glass is a little more than halfway full, continue pouring while gradually raising the cup so that it will be perpendicular to the table.
Complete the pour by leaving about 1/2 inch of foam at the top. The ideal beer mug should have a beer to foam ratio of 7:3.
Does Drinking Beer Make You Gain Weight?
The main ingredient in beer is barley which is known to be very healthy. Therefore, beer is actually a healthy drink that contains a balanced variety of nutrients such as vitamin Bs, essential amino acids, minerals, and fiber. So the common saying that beer will make you gain weight is in fact a myth. What makes you gain weight is not the beer, but the appetizers and snacks that you unconsciously munch on while having your drink. As long as you choose a low-calorie snack such as edamame or an assortment of soybeans, you’ll be fine! Furthermore, recent studies indicate that a certain amount of beer everyday can help unclog your arteries. So just as long as you don’t over drink, you can drink beer to help maintain your health.
Characteristics of Japanese Beer
Although bitter pils are popular amongst Japanese beers, there are now a wide variety of beers available in Japan. Japanese beer is made with special care to ensure that the flavors of its ingredients are brought out to its full potential.
What Types of Nutrients are Contained in Beer?
Beer’s main ingredients and their effects are as follows:
BARLEY
Two-row barley is most commonly used for beer. Barley must first be malted which is a process of allowing the grain to sprout roots (germinate). It is at this point that the seed is rich in the starch and vitamins it needs to use as food for growth. Then, the maltster heats the grain to a temperature that stops the growth process but allows a natural enzyme, diastase, (which converts starch into sugar or maltose) to remain active. It is this sugar or maltose that the yeast metabolizes into carbon dioxide and ethyl alcohol.
HOPS
Hops are a flowering vine whose flowers are used as a preservative, and for their essential oils that add flavor (bittering hops) and aroma (aroma hops) to balance the sweetness of the malt. From ancient times, it has also been used as a medicinal plant and anti-bacteria, effective for the stomach, diuresis, and calming. Each variety of hops has its own distinct flavor / aroma profile.
When making beer, the bitter flavor of the hop is extracted during the boil. The aroma is provided by essential oils from aroma hops. Hops also help the formation of foam, and helps to make the beer clear and transparent by settling and separating excess proteins.
YEAST
Yeast are unicellular fungi that convert the sugars in the wort into alcohol. The first stage of this process is breaking proteins into amino acids. The ferment then enters the respiration phase, where the yeast absorbs oxygen and reduces the pH of the wort, so that it becomes acidic and anaerobic. The yeast breaks down the glucose sugars into carbon dioxide, water, and pyruvic acid. Pyruvic acid later becomes alcohol.
Beer yeast helps the breeding of lactic acid in the intestines, and suppresses the absorption of excess calories. The proteins contained in beer yeast are also comprised of a well balance of essential amino acids.
Yeast rich in vitamin Bs help activate functions of the brain and body, and yeast rich in minerals help to prevent high blood pressure. Recently, beer yeasts have been gaining attention, and beer yeast diets are popularizing.
OTHER INGREDIENTS
Other ingredients commonly used to enhance the taste of beer include rice and cornstarch. According to Japanese liquor tax laws, its content must be less than 50% of the malt. In the case it exceeds 50%, it is categorized and treated as low-malt beer.
“Good Wine Makes Good Blood”
As in this old saying, recent studies indicate that when compared to people who don’t drink any alcohol, people who drink in moderation have better blood flow and a longer lifespan.
However, the death rate from over consumption, addiction, and abuse of alcohol is also drastically increasing. When this rate is graphed, it displays a curve, similar to the shape of a J; therefore it is known as the J-curve effect.
The key is moderation. As long as alcohol in enjoyed in a balanced manner, there are many benefits that can be experienced for a long, healthy, and happy life ahead.
Asahi Super Dry
Asahi Beer U.S.A., Inc.
www.asahisuperdry.com
Asahi Super Dry is the #1 selling beer in Japan. It is brewed using the finest malted barley, hops, yeast and rice to give it a dry, crisp taste and a quick, clean finish that never lingers. We call it Karakuchi.
Asahi Super Dry goes well with all kinds of dishes, from strong to delicate flavours such as
Yakiniku BBQ to Sushi and Sashimi. Drink by itself or with food at home or restaurant with family, friends, co-workers, etc… It’s available at most Japanese restaurants and grocery stores.
Asahi Super Dry is brewed at their own brewery in Japan and in Italy which brings authenticity and the original taste to the consumers.
Asahi Super Dry is a product that transformed the modern beer industry in Japan. It is described as a highly attenuated lager beer without the heavier malt flavours of its competitors. The crisp, dry taste reminisces some of the northern German beers. This highly successful launch in 1987 led to a significant rise in consumer demand for “dry beer” and in turn made a dramatic turnaround in Asahi’s business performance, leading to becoming the #1 selling beer in Japan.
The best time to enjoy a nice cold glass of Asahi Super Dry is after a bath, after work or sports.
Hiro Mitsui
SAPPORO PURE
SAPPORO U.S.A., Inc.
www.sapporobeer.com
SAPPORO PURE is the exceptional light beer crafted by the maker of #1 selling Asian beer brand in North America. It’s been in a market since Spring 2021. Brewed for those who are not only looking to cut calories but who want to enjoy it without compromising flavor. The beer will be among the lowest calorie options for beer drinkers in the superior light beer category, with only 90 calories, 2.4g carbs, and 4.0% ABV. Every sip of this golden lager delights with subtle floral notes and refreshes with a crisp, clean finish. It has a taste of low malt sweetness and bitterness, and light floral aroma with hints of spiciness.
It is a perfect pairing for diverse cuisine and broadly textured dishes like: cheesy beef empanadas, crispy spiced fish tacos, buffalo cauliflower wings.
SAPPORO PURE is brewed for the consumer who seeks a balanced, active lifestyle. Whether it’s through enjoying a personal hobby or a long hiking trip with friends, it is meant to accompany the life moments where we feel at our most centered. SAPPORO PURE is ideal for consumers who appreciate a conscientious life filled with great experiences best enjoyed with a truly satisfying beer.
SAPPORO PURE is only available in the U.S. (in 22 states). Visit their website and find the stores near you.
Sapporo products sold in the U.S. are brewed in the U.S., Canada and Vietnam.
SAPPORO PURE is the perfect choice if you are looking to cut calories but want to purely enjoy a beer without compromising flavor.
Kiyoko Hanajima
July 2022 vol. 177
