Shiroyama Stout
Shiroyama Brewery

I had this one after attending a shinto wedding ceremony, while gazing across the bay at the volcano. It was actually a well-deserved drink. We'd been invited to the ceremony as special guest by our Japanese friend, but had encountered difficulties in finding the location of the cermony. Usually only immediate family attend, so every staff member we asked automaticaly assumed that our whiteness meant we were only invited to the dinner, and that when we asked where the wedding ceremony was being held we obviously meant the wedding dinner. We arrived about one minute late.

Anyway, the beer was well-deserved, and calmed my jangling nerves. Midnight black body with a tan head that left a few squiggles of lace. The aroma was faintly metallic with a touch of dark roast, but overall it was a touch too subdued. The same cannot be said of the flavour, which was bursting with chocolate, dark fruit, caramel and roasted grain notes. A very pleasing mix indeed, with the bitterness of the roast and hopping balanced perfectly by the sweetness of the caramel and chocolate elements. The body and carbonation were both on the lighter side of medium, and while it could be thicker the warmer weather of this area probably wouldn't be appropriate for any more weight.

This is a very well-done stout, which only falls down on its subdued aroma. If you're after it I believe its only available at the hotel, though you should be able to try it at any of the bars there.