Unremarkable premium summer ale

The Premium Malt's Seaside Ale

Brand: Suntory

Price: 220 yen

Place of purchase: 7-11

Rating:

The Premium Malt's Japanese Ale series of beers comes out with Seaside Ale, a limited-edition brew released in summer 2023. The beer is brewed with Saphir hops, a variety that's described as spicy and fruity. The beer has a light golden color, frothy head, and with a light aroma. The Saphir hops come through with a little floral scent. The beer doesn't have much of a bitter flavor and is even a little on the sweet side. The beer is available at some convenience stores and supermarkets priced at about 200 yen.

For a premium beer, this okay for the price - 200 yen. However, it's not like I'd go out of my way to get this brew again. It's got a decent flavor, but nothing remarkable. The Saphir variety of hop is commonly used in Belgian ales and light-colored wheat beers. They're supposed to lend a juniper, berry flavor. The fruitiness of Seaside Ale is there but dissipates quickly. I suspect that The Premium Malt's intention is to make a beer with a wide appeal and so there's nothing notable about this brew.