Abashiri Golden Ale : Background
Abashiri Golden Ale is a 5% golden ale from Abashiri Beer, based in Abashiri, Hokkaido. It’s part of their canned and draught lineup, though we’re yet to come across it on our travels in the latter form. The beer is made using locally grown Abashiri wheat, as well as imported German malts, and uses Citra and Simcoe hops as well.
At A Glance
- ABV : 5%
- Style : Golden Ale
- Hops : Citra and Simcoe
- Adjuncts : –
- IBU : 32
Sale Information
- Availability : Regular
- On Sale : From January 2018
- Size : 350 ml
Abashiri Golden Ale : Appearance, Aroma, and Taste
No need to adjust your screen – we’ve got a beer from Abashiri Beer that isn’t blue. I was half expecting something dodgy to come out of the can. Instead, I got this clear, golden looking beer with a thick white head on top, that left some thick streaks down the side of the glass. The head had some longevity to it as well, remaining on top of the beer, right until the end of the beer.
The aroma was clean and didn’t have any off aromas. Instead, the Citra and Simcoe hops brought a slight citrus note to the beer, with a light dusting of grapefruit and lemon, alongside a clean wheaty aroma from the malts. Neither the hops nor the malts were overpowering or offensive. Are we onto a winner with this beer?
I was equally as surprised with the body as with the aroma – the clean tasting beer was paired alongside some roasted chicken, which helped elevate the citrus notes in the body. More of a lemony profile than a grapefruit profile, but still tasty nonetheless. The malt graininess was a little unexpected but didn’t detract away from the flavour of the beer in any discernible manner. There was a touch of sweetness from the malts, with the beer being light-to-medium bodied in the end.
Abashiri Golden Ale : The Bottom Line
Abashiri Golden Ale is a simple enough beer that, while it won’t blow your socks off, is a surprisingly good effort that goes to show one bad beer does not make a bad brewery.
Abashiri Golden Ale : Where to Buy
It can be bought online at the following places:
