Asahi Black (Kuronama)
Asahi Breweries Ltd

Asahi Black (Kuronama)Asahi Black (Kuronama)
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From:
Asahi Breweries Ltd
 
Japan
Style:
Munich Dunkel
Ranked #125
ABV:
5%
Score:
80
Ranked #26,155
Avg:
3.52 | pDev: 14.49%
Reviews:
136
Ratings:
326
Status:
Active
Rated:
Feb 11, 2024
Added:
Jun 01, 2002
Wants:
  28
Gots:
  53
"a premium dark ale."
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Ratings by mquinn919:
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Rated by mquinn919 from Pennsylvania

4/5  rDev +13.6%

Jun 01, 2014
More User Ratings:
Photo of USairforce20069985
Reviewed by USairforce20069985

3.6/5  rDev +2.3%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.5
I have seen this beer multiple times in Okinawa and mainland Japan but never had it until today. It was a drank out of a 16 oz can (tall boy).

Look: dark brown, cola like look.

Smell: like several others it smelled like a dark bread with chocolate notes
Taste: I got chocolate and caramel notes with little to no bitterness
Feel: it honestly didn’t feel that bad, I was expecting a lot worse, it felt sort of refreshing as I was eating some Goyzu.
Overall: I give credit where credit is due it’s not bad, the problem is, is that it’s easy to find German beer in the states and in most places. In mainland Japan it’s a little harder to find German beer so the market for this is on the smaller side. Still if you’re looking for a new beer to try then this might be an option. I’m more of a pale ale or wheat beer guy so this isn’t up my alley.
Feb 11, 2024
Photo of detgfrsh
Reviewed by detgfrsh from Texas

3.71/5  rDev +5.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75
From a can. Dark brown color. Roasted malt aroma. Light body. Roasted barley flavor with a lingering bitterness. A little different than I was expecting, but the packaging doesn't specify a style.
Nov 04, 2023
Photo of JonnoWillsteed
Reviewed by JonnoWillsteed from England

2.6/5  rDev -26.1%
look: 2.75 | smell: 2 | taste: 2.75 | feel: 3 | overall: 2.75
L- Like dark cola, clear, 2mm tan head clearing swiftly (over-cleaned hotel glass?). 2.75
S- Very light, but almost a slight nori fragrance!? [dried seaweed used as maki-roll etc wrapper]. 2
T- Rounded and malty on the front, briefly hoppy bright in the middle, then mildly charry + that 'nori/marine' thing into the finish 2.75
F- On balance it seems to be slightly to the dry side of neutral. CO2 in the mouth is good 3.
O- My wife likes trying beers like this too so I said nothing to her about it after I'd had a sip or two. She took a sip and straight off said it tasted fishy, and that she imagined the glass might be contaminated by sushi we had yesterday. But it isn't, the glass was clean, there is just something curiously 'marine' about this beer... very unusual/no idea what it might be.
Otherwise, doesn't quite hand together, tastes a bit adjuncty even if it isn't.... ie I'm not sure what but the balance of elements doesn't work here for me.
Bought from Cold Storage Singapore 350ml can. BB: at base of can: 03/24.
As often with Japanese beer the can is very elegant. Here a matt black and gold design almost entirely in Japanese. The only English text is 'Munich type - Fortune phoenix'.
Nov 01, 2023
 
Rated: 2 by BrisLoganite from Australia

Sep 24, 2023
 
Rated: 3.67 by Myboymi from Kansas

Sep 02, 2023
Photo of kitch
Reviewed by kitch from Hong Kong

3.98/5  rDev +13.1%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4
A 350ml can, canned in May 2023. Poured into a winebar glass.

Appearance: Dark brown in colour with a two finger tanned head that had decent retention, while leaving some nice lacing.

Aroma: Roasty, lightly burnt toast, chocolate, with hints of dark fruit.

Taste: Roasty, coffee grounds, sweet dark malt, chocolate, raisin, nutty notes, with a nice dry, and lightly bitter finish.

Mouthfeel: Light to medium bodied with moderate carbonation.

Overall: Easy to drink with good roasty notes.
Aug 24, 2023
 
Rated: 3.48 by Walnut from Missouri

Jun 12, 2023
 
Rated: 4 by mpenske from California

May 22, 2022
Photo of monkist
Reviewed by monkist from Hungary

3.93/5  rDev +11.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
It says this beer was brewed in the Munich tradition. Do they make stouts in Munich? because this feels like a stout to me. Roasted barley in the aroma and flavor, not bad. There was something about this beer that threw me off a little, it is below par when you start comparing it with “real” stouts. Think it would have to be appreciated for what it is - a commercial effort to make something different and at least it isn’t your sickening Japanese style beer, I might even say it is an okay stout.
Feb 24, 2022
 
Rated: 3.75 by Furlinator from California

Sep 01, 2021
 
Rated: 1.94 by Wontonst from California

Jan 15, 2020
 
Rated: 3.29 by jdurey from Korea (South)

Jul 14, 2019
 
Rated: 2.74 by Oh_Dark_Star from Washington

May 25, 2019
 
Rated: 3.61 by csmrx7 from Canada (AB)

Apr 14, 2018
 
Rated: 3.09 by Rhettroactive from Virginia

Apr 09, 2018
Photo of ChrisMartinez
Rated by ChrisMartinez from Belgium

4.78/5  rDev +35.8%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 5 | overall: 5
so smooth
Feb 07, 2018
 
Rated: 4.75 by Jonmbell from Australia

Dec 23, 2017
 
Rated: 3.36 by KyleQB from Australia

Jul 20, 2017
 
Rated: 3 by armock from New York

Jul 17, 2017
Asahi Black (Kuronama) from Asahi Breweries Ltd
Beer rating: 80 out of 100 with 326 ratings