Asahi Super Dry

Beer: Asahi Super Dry 

Style: Pale Lager

Brewing location: Canada I think, see below!

Originating country: Japan

Alcohol by Volume: 5% 

Ingredients: water, barley, corn, hops, rice 

Format tested: 12 oz. bottle purchased in Los Angeles 

Beeradvocate rating: 64/100

Ratebeer rating: 6/100

Test kit: E-Z Gluten

Miscellaneous

• This is a direct transcript from the label; someone please translate for me! "Brewed and bottled under Asahi's supervision by Molson of Canada, Toronto, Canada imported Asahi Beer USA, Inc, Torrance, CA Product of Canada"
• Asahi was founded in Osaka in 1889 as the Osaka Beer Company (大阪麦酒会社 Ōsaka Bakushu Kaisha). During the First World War German prisoners worked in the brewery.
• In 1949, as a result of the enactment of the Excessive Economic Power Decentralization Law, Dai Nippon Brewery, which had cornered nearly 70 percent of the beer market in Japan, was divided into two parts—Asahi Beer, Ltd. and Nippon Breweries, Ltd. (the latter later emerged as Sapporo Breweries Limited).
• In 1971, Asahi was the first Japanese brewery to have its beer produced overseas under license
• As of January 2014, Asahi, with a 38% market share, was the largest of the four major beer producers in Japan followed by Kirin Beer with 35% and Suntory with 15%.
• In 1987 Asahi introduced Asahi Super Dry a product that transformed the modern beer industry in Japan. Asahi Super Dry is described as a highly attenuated lager without the heavier malt flavors of competitors products, with a crisp, dry taste reminiscent of some northern German beers.

Test result photo

Test result

Very High Positive at 20 parts per million (ppm), meaning it is more than 20 ppm. Though standards vary from country to country, according to the FDA, "In order to use the term 'gluten free' on its label a food must meet all the requirements of the definition, including that the food must contain less than 20 ppm gluten." It is said that products with a gluten content below 20 ppm are suitable for people with celiac disease.

My experience drinking Asahi

I had never tried this before...and I never will again. It poured a very dark color for a lager so I assumed it would have at least a modicum of flavor. Nope; bland, bland, bland. I've heard people describe it as the Coors of Japan. Perfect.

I am not sure where I fall in the gluten tolerance spectrum; I am gluten intolerant but not celiac. I definitely know what it feels like to be “glutened” i.e. gluten exposure, but I have not deliberately pushed my gluten consumption limits with any food or beer. I consumed this 12 oz. bottle in 30 minutes feeling no noticeable gluten effects.