Friday, March 6, 2015

Asahi Super Dry

Asahi Asian Japanese Japan Pilsner lager Dry silver can Sapporo beer low gluten free celiac intolerant test result
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


Asahi Asian Japanese Japan Pilsner lager Dry silver can beer Sapporo low gluten free celiac intolerant test result



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.

6 comments:

  1. Thanks for doing the test. I guess it has to be Tsingtao even in Japanese restaurants.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Thanks for doing these tests. It's made going out for beers with friends enjoyable instead of a crap shoot.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Excellent work, I've been diagnosed coeliac for 5 years, and have been missing beers. By the way, Japanese Asahi is very good, and I remember that the Czech-brewed version was very acceptable

    ReplyDelete
  4. It's a nice beer, get the one imported from Japan and not locally made. The Australian one sucks too.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Hi, I just found your very useful blog while choosing an Asahi in London - please keep up the good work! Also, when you get around to it, please let me know how you get on with a bottle of Estrella? Email: Yes_Stephen@yahoo.co.uk

    ReplyDelete
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