Mattari Alt
Matsuya Kyoto Machiya Beer Brewery

This alt-type "Kyoto craft" beer is one of the better I had from this brewery. The pour is greeted with a nice caramel color, brief head, and nice big bubbles on the side of the glass. The aroma is very mellow and under-stated, which seems properly Japanese. The taste is a mixture of mellow maltiness and then a tinge of metallic taste on the back end. Mouthfeel is superb, with no stickiness and very clean on the tongue. A nice option in Japan, given the dominance of the other brands you might enjoy a respite like this.

You can find this around Kyoto. Also in Kyoto station at a market near the Shinkansen entrance.

After a morning of sweltering heat that curtailed our stroll through the shogun's gardens we were in desperate need of something cool and refreshing. I'd done a little advance research and discovered that a nearby museum dedicated to sake brewing and traditional merchant housing also made some house beers. Upon arrival we briefly strolled around and a kindly old man allowed us to sample water from their spring which they use in the brewing of their beer and sake. Its wonderful softness was unlike anything I have ever come across, and proved to be a good sign that their beer was also of a high quality.

In the attached cafe (really a small room with an imperious looking server) we ordered curry and rice and some cold beers. The alt had a rich orange body with a lively white head and good carbonation. Light flowery smell with some nuttiness. Fruity body, with a pleasant bitterness, and a touch of metal. The flavours are very clean and crisp, and most importantly of all for the style, they exhibited excellent balance between fruity malts and floral hops. Medium-light and quenching, it cooled me down and replenished my energy for the next leg of our journey.

I'd highly recommend this if you're nearby. It was a damn good alt, and a neat little place.

Thin pale tan color with ample stickage. Smell was nice, heavy rich malts with some fruity nut accents. Got my expectations up.

Taste was on the sweet side of things. Thin, but complete alt taste. Lasting spicy bitterness. Mouthfeel was thin.

Wasn't TOO excited about this alt offering after trying many other similar ones in Japan. It didn't really stand out I guess.

Appearance: off tan head on a beautiful red-amber body. Aromatic floral and citrusy nose. Light bodied light tasting, thin flavor. Still floral, but lacking punch. Medium to light hops. This is neither here or there. Hard to pare with food, yet cannot stand alone.