Kirin Heartland
Posted on June 02, 2005
I swung by Seijo Ishii on the way home tonight and thought I'd sample some new beer. We always have on hand about a case of whatever the co-op is selling that week, normally Asahi Super Dry or Kirin Ichiban Shiburi. Masako drinks about as much of that as I do. And Frankie, when asked what she wants to drink for dinner she never fails to request a beer. 17 years to go kid.
Seijo Ishii's import beer section seemed to have shrunk since my last visit, so selection was limited. My eye's gravitated to the bottom shelf display of Kirin Heartland in large label-less green bottles. And keeping with the green bottle theme I grabbed a bottle of Rolling Rock. I must have seen that in a movie before because the bottle looked familiar.
First the Rolling Rock Extra pale. To be fair, I will try my best to evaluate the highs and lows of this product while keeping an open mind regarding my own individual taste. That said,
It tastes like watered down piss. Honestly the worst beer I've ever had the misfortune to have ingested intentionally.
Moving right along to Heartland. Brewed by Kirin, Heartland comes in an old style 500 ml bottle with what I'm guessing is an oak tree logo in the center. I had no idea Japan had a heartland, or oak trees so already it's off to a questionable start. Their website says it's made with 100% barley malt and 100% aroma hops.
"Only the malt and the aroma hop witch (sic) were selected carefully are used. Because of that. the flavor becomes clear. It is the merit of a material, the natural taste which is not so bitter, and gentle taste."
Well I'm with them on the gentle part. A mid to high level of carbonation, fruity notes and the sweetness is defiantly there. Drinkable, but too light and sweet for my liking. Then again any Japanese beer not labeled Happoshu is worth at least one try in my book.
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