Abashiri Beer (網走ビール) is characterised by using the Japanese rare craft beer method. The Okhotsk blue sparkling liquor Draft (流氷ドラフト) is very famous. In addition, Abashiri Beer has craft beers unique to Hokkaido.
Table of Contents
Abashiri Beer 網走ビール
It uses the three-pot method, rare in Japanese craft beer, giving the beer a richer flavour.
Brewery: 網走ビール株式会社
Address: 2 Chome Minami 6 Jonishi, Abashiri, Hokkaido 093-0016
Contact: +81152 45 5100
Official Website [Click Here]
Types of Abashiri Craft Beer
List in no particular order.
Draft 流氷ドラフト
Abashiri’s winter tradition “drift ice” is used for the water.
It’s a low-malt beer (sparkling alcoholic beverage, 発泡酒) that features a bright blue image of the Sea of Okhotsk with the natural pigment from Cape jasmine and a refreshing fruity taste.
| Type | Hokkaido Beer | ABV | 5% |
| Body | – | Yeast Fermentation | – |
| Beer Style | Low-malt beer (発泡酒) | Brewery | 網走ビール株式会社 |
| State | Hokkaido | Country | Japan |
Abashiri Golden Ale ゴールデンエール
Abashiri Golden Ale uses the malt from Abashiri. The herbal hops with additional citrus flavour are its character.
| Type | Hokkaido Beer | ABV | 5% |
| Body | Soft | Yeast Fermentation | Top |
| Beer Style | Ale | Brewery | 網走ビール株式会社 |
| State | Hokkaido | Country | Japan |
Shiretoko Draft 知床ドラフト
Shiretoko Draft was inspired by the greenery of the world heritage site, Nature of Shiretoko. It expresses the freshly green by the natural pigment from spirulina with hop bitterness.
| Type | Hokkaido Beer | ABV | 5% |
| Body | – | Yeast Fermentation | – |
| Beer Style | Low-malt beer (発泡酒) | Brewery | 網走ビール株式会社 |
| State | Hokkaido | Country | Japan |
Outouno Shizuku 桜桃の雫
Outouno Shizuku is cherry beer. Abashiri is the northernmost cherry-producing area in Japan. It uses Abashiri cherry to bring fruity sweetness and a rich aroma.
| Type | Hokkaido Beer | ABV | 5% |
| Body | – | Yeast Fermentation | – |
| Beer Style | Low-malt beer (発泡酒) | Brewery | 網走ビール株式会社 |
| State | Hokkaido | Country | Japan |
Abashiri Premium プレミアムビール
Abashiri Premium has a well-balanced bitterness, aroma, and sweetness. It uses roasted malt from Abashiri to derive the roasted malt character.
| Type | Hokkaido Beer | ABV | 5% |
| Body | Soft | Yeast Fermentation | Bottom |
| Beer Style | Lager | Brewery | 網走ビール株式会社 |
| State | Hokkaido | Country | Japan |
Abashiri Prison Stout 監極の黒
Abashiri Prison Stout is a high-quality stout that uses five types of malts. It features a deep richness, mellow, and caramel taste.
| Type | Hokkaido Beer | ABV | 5.5% |
| Body | Mouth-Coating | Yeast Fermentation | Top |
| Beer Style | Stout/ Ale | Brewery | 網走ビール株式会社 |
| State | Hokkaido | Country | Japan |
Abashiri White Ale ホワイトエール
It uses Abashiri’s autumn-sown wheat, Kitahonami (きたほなみ), which is known as its excellent pure white colour and good quality. The mellow wheat flavour characterises the style with citrus and coriander seeds’ aroma. It’s an ale. But it is classified as low-malt beer (発泡酒) under the Japanese Liquor Tax Law.
| Type | Belgian Beer | ABV | 4.5% |
| Body | Moderate | Yeast Fermentation | Top |
| Beer Style | Ale/ Low-malt beer (発泡酒) in Japan | Brewery | 網走ビール株式会社 |
| State | Hokkaido | Country | Japan |
Seasonal Beer 期間限定
There are some seasonal beers only sold during the particular season.
Conclusion
Abashiri Golden Ale features a refreshing bitterness with a citrus aroma. On the other hand, Abashiri White Ale has a creamy, mellow flavour with sweetness.
I like Abashiri White Ale because the combination of coriander and orange peel is unique and tasty.
Moreover, Draft (流氷ドラフト) is a famous low-malt beer. It features a crisp and refreshing taste. Recommend to drink in the summer.
Want to know more Japan craft beers and breweries in Hokkaido? Click here>>
