Asahi Super Dry (7/10)

I’m far from a seasoned world traveler, though I’ve visited several nations and even lived in another one for a couple of years.  It’s a given that pretty much every country produces a mild, generic beer that’s more or less their equivalent to a macro brew like Coors, Budweiser, or Miller.  For the Japanese, that’s probably Asahi Super Dry.

This beer pours a clear pale gold with minimal white head that doesn’t last long at all.  The lacing, where it exists, is mostly small spots.

The aroma is primarily that of malt and grain.
The flavor is roasted grain with a hint of hops to it.  It’s a very easy beer to drink.  It’s only very mildly bitter, with a touch more flavor to it than a macro brew.  It’s crisp and clean with virtually nothing to it but malt, hops, and water.

The Beer Advocate crowd rates Asahi Super Dry in the 55-64 range (awful to poor).  Rate Beer is a lot harsher on it, giving it a mere 6 out of 100.  My rating of 7 out of 10 may seem a bit out of line, but it takes into account that the beer is part of a larger Japanese restaurant experience.  The beer fits well with the salty, flavorful Japanese food without taking anything away from it.  On its own, sitting in my living room… Yeah, I’m right there with the Beer Advocate folks. It’s a solid 5 in that scenario… which is “Budweiser level” for me.  So, if you’re in a Japanese restaurant and you want an authentic beer that won’t draw your tastebuds away from the food – this is it. 

Asahi Super Dry is served at most Japanese steak houses around town.  You can also find it at a number of retailers.  I’m fairly sure I’ve seen it at Kenny Road Market, and perhaps at Weiland’s Gourmet Market.

Flavor Profile:
Sweet, Malty, Dry, Bitter, or Sour: Malty
Spice Level:  Zero
Hops Level:  Very Low
Dominant Flavors: There are none, it’s pretty generic
ABV: 5%
IBU:  15
My Rating:  7/10 (with a hibachi dinner, 5/10 without