In Japan at the moment there is a regular TV ad for Clear Asahi, showing a well-known actor with a delicious looking, frosty pint in each hand, part of the way through the ad there is a short guest appearance from the little funny dude from Gaki no Tsukai.. So I have to say that I cycled home from the liquor store on the crest of a wave, filled with a spritely, cheerful anticipation of what I thought was going to be the unassailable king of Japanese beers.
It isn’t, not even close. This beer reminded me of the beer my dad used to drink when I was a kid.. Kestrel! My theory has always been that he purposely bought Kestrel in order to discourage me from drinking, and sure enough, one swig of it was all it took to discourage me from drinking.. Kestrel ever again.
Clear Asahi is in no way as bad as Kestrel but it takes on the metallic taste of the can in much the same manner. I have found that the majority of canned beers that I have consumed in Japan have successfully managed to taste very much unlike aluminium and very much like nice flavoured beer, as such I am more than a little disappointed to find that this beer falls at this simple hurdle. It is otherwise a pretty unoffensive and well.. uncharacteristic beer and I can’t say that I’d recommend it… that is unless your only other options are the budget Suntory beers! It scores a lowly 2 legs of an Okayama arachnid!
Anyone want to buy 5 cans of the very delicious Clear Asahi at a knockdown price?
Have you tried Clear Asahi? If so, please share your thoughts in the comments section. Also, if you have any Japanese beer, whisky or liquor recommendations then also please let me know.
