The Muroka Strikes Again!

I was in 7-11 before school yesterday morning and I saw something interesting. There was a new Kirin Muroka chilling in the fridge next to the original. I could tell this from a distance because of the white on the label. I took a closer look. Beer Chocolat. What? That is what it said and no, I did not mispell chocolate. Kirin is mixing the English 'Beer' with the French 'Chocolat' on the label. Wow.

I didn't buy the beer until today on my way back from school. All of yesterday and this morning I fretted over what might be inside the bottle. The original Muroka is great, the Green label holds it's own, and the White Beer would be good if I didn't drink Ginga Kogen. I didn't want 'Beer Chocolat' dragging down this respected label. I have drank a chocolate beer in Japan before. I think it was from Swan Lake Brewing somewhere in the north. Tasted like they dumped a bunch of Hershey bars in the pot while making a pale ale. I did not drink that beer again.

Those fears were extinguished the moment the top was popped on this bottle. A malty wave washed into my Ol'factory organ and blackness clouded my vision through the Guinness glass. And the taste? Boom, black lager. Chalk one up for Kirin Muroka. This beer is good. Damn good. Being a Muroka, it is unfiltered and this fills out the taste that other dark beers in Japan lack. I don't want to get ahead of myself but Kirin's Muroka Beer Chocolat may be better than the Black Malts. I know, these are big words. Hell, they are fighting words that won't make DH too happy. Understand that I love the Black Malts but this beer is unfiltered and comes from a glass bottle, two points that the Black Malts lack. At first drink this beer is identical to the Black Malts. A creamy, coffee, chocolately tastes spreads through your mouth. But where the Black Malts ends, this beer continues and leaves a roast malt flavor in your mouth that is very pleasant.

The Black Malts finally has a worthy contender. This weekend, when DH comes down to Tahara, the Black Malts and Beer Chocolat will face off head to head (get it? beer head?) and one black beer will emerge victorious though we will definitely still drink both. The new Muroka may have a great taste but the Black Malts has already won the coolest name contest. Beer Chocolat? Gay as hell.