The Premium Muroka Beer Chocolat
Kirin Brewery Company, Limited

 

This is not a milk stout. The ingredients are on the label. Hops an malt (no lactic sugar, no chocolate - if these ingredients were used, then this could not be legally labelled "beer" in Japan). Further, this is not a sweet beer.

The third seasonal in "The Premium Muroka" line of beers from Kirin. 'Muroka' meaning unfiltered in Japanese.

Looks like a very deep black stout with nice brown very active head. Rich chocolate aroma with a decent bit of hops in the back ground. Light in flavor, chocolaty. Thin body, not at all a stout, but decent for a Japanese schwarzbeer.

Brewed at the Ibaragi Brewery.

A decent brew from Kirin this time! Dark brown with a tan head, stout-like in appearance. Quite a lot of lacing. More effervescent than your average stout though. Looks tasty. Smell is good - expected a bit more chocolate though, considering the beer's name. Not much chocolate but plenty of rich dark malt aromas, and some hoppiness but nothing too overpowering - the emphasis is on the smooth, rich stout flavours.

Tastes like a decent quality milk stout. Not sure if chocolate was involved in the brewing, but it's nice to be treated with a quality domestic brew in Japan - they don't come along too often! Sweet malts, a slight bitterness that may be from the hops or maybe just the carbonation.

Not overly 'sticky' on the palate the way some milk stouts are. Good mouthfeel. Satisfying, but not too filling. I could have another one, and considering they're cheaper than any import, I'll be buying another one soon. Not bad considering Japan; not bad for any country for that matter. I wouldn't be getting so excited about this if I were in England, but it's a decent brew.

Appearance: Deep brown colored brew. Tan colored head with honey accects.

Smell: Chocolate, rich roast coffee, minerals.

Taste: Rich smoky malt. Very slight sweetness with a hint of chocolate. Limited bitterness highlights the sweet side of the brew.

Mouthfeel: Medium-full body. Smooth yet tangy throughout with a chalky, dry finish.

Drinkablity: Very good addition to Kirin's Premium line. A definite step up from the typical Japanese black beer. It holds its own as a proper stout.