Shonan Beer Imperial Stout is an 8% imperial stout from Kumazawa Shuzo, based in Kagawa, in Kanagawa, Japan. It’s part of their winter seasonal lineup and can be found in both bottles and on tap when on sale. Besides that, there really isn’t much else we know about Shonan Beer Imperial Stout.
Shonan Beer Imperial Stout Aroma and Taste
I should say first of all that Shonan Beer Imperial Stout was a free bottle we got from Chouseiya because it was sold after its best before date. However, seeing as it is an imperial stout, and you may know our feelings about aging beers, I’m OK with taking the risk.
Shonan Beer Imperial Stout poured out a thick, gloopy black colour with a large frothy tan head on top that was composed of large bubbles that popped along as the beer warmed up. The beer had lashings of chocolate, coffee, cocoa, and black treacle going on too but thankfully no off aromas at all. The alcohol, at 8% so no too boozy, was only present once Shonan Beer Imperial Stout had some time to get a bit warmer, but even then, it wasn’t an alcohol burn or off-putting.
Drinking imperial stouts should be an all-year round thing, but the thick bodies prevent them from really being enjoyed in summer. Shonan Beer Imperial Stout goes someway to alleviating that problem with a thinner than usual body but still recognisable as an imperial stout. The plethora of dark malt flavours – chocolate, coffee, cocoa, and caramel – were balanced well, with not one of them dominating over each other. Moreover, the alcohol was more soothing than a burn, with it lingering slightly with the dark malts flavours in the aftertaste.
Shonan Beer Imperial Stout The Bottom Line
I really liked Shonan Beer Imperial Stout and will definitely be hunting down some more – be it fresh or properly aged.
Where to Buy Shonan Beer Imperial Stout
Shonan Beer Imperial Stout can be bought online at the following places:
