Hot Pot Restaurant in Chengdu

Chips

Harbin

Bottle has molded ABInBev letters.

Slightly more hops than Snow. Carbonation is slightly more too. Everything else is the same.

Snow Beer "Draft Beer" 500 mL

December 6, 2012

Pours a low intensity white head that quickly dissipates leaving zero lacing. Appearance is a clear yellow with almost no bubbles. Mouthfeel is thin and watery with low carbonation. Taste is feather-light with only a trace of hops. Finish is quick and undemanding. Bought this at a Carrefour in Chengdu, China for the equivalent of $1.34.

PRC still bans Google

PRC still bans Google which is why posts are out-of-date.

Xi'an Int'l Airport to Sheraton Xi'an City

Oy! The taxi was an adventure in itself. The first leg from the airport through the highways was boring, as expected. Things became less usual as we approached the actual city. I felt I was part of a James Bond car pursuit scene. The taxi driver, a good-natured lady, took the off ramp on the main artery to get into the city. I was wondering why there were pedestrians walking along the shoulder? A few seconds later a dozen vehicles came towards us in the wrong direction of a one way ramp. As we inched closer to the end of the ramp the vehicles ahead of us were making U-Turns back down the cloverleaf off ramp we just went up! So, the driver surmised there must be an accident and decides to follow the lead cars. The driver managed to get back onto the merge lane of the exit. Instead of following traffic the driver decides to go the wrong way through the main highway a few hundred feet to take the next exit. Thus, we avoided all the congestion at the risk of multiple head-on collisions! On the second off ramp we pass another accident that had just occurred. It was a van that overturned onto its side. The driver said the police only patrol the city roads. There's a special "accident" hotline for highway security.

The 2 or so miles to the hotel was uneventful. That is, except for the several near collisions with pedestrians and motorbikes.

My wife reminded me that this driver is "good" but not as "good" as the taxi driver in Beijing last year. The Beijing driver held a cigarette in his left hand. He was driving and operating a manual transmission with his right hand navigating rush hour traffic.

Hans "Dry Beer"

Ordered with our semi-vegetarian lunch outside of the terra cotta complex in Xi'an, China. A typical Chinese beer with absolutely no flavor but is particularly useful as a tea alternative. The pic shows the head about five seconds after the pour. The color is a bright clear yellow with a few bubbles. The aroma is mostly corny and marshmallow fluff. The palate is corny, zero hops, and some light floral hints. The mouthfeel is ultra-light and finish is as quick as water. My three favorite beverages in China are local low alcohol lagers, Moutai, and bottled water or hot tea. So, light lagers do have a purpose especially when traveling in areas where the local water is questionable.

Display casks

Mitsuya Cider

Carbonated soft drink tastes like a cross between lemon-lime and cream soda.

Yona Yona Ale, 5.5%

I bought this at a Maretsu Petit in Tokyo for ¥269 for a 350 mL can. Pours a apricot-yellow-golden color with a short sparse head but with lotsa' small bubbles. The aroma is definitely piney-citrus in nature with some floral (lavender) hints. This tastes definitely "pale ale" with hops coming right to the front. Mouthfeel is light and finish is crisp thanks to the hops. I don't know if Yoho Brewery is considered a craft brewer but the is the best Japanese beer I've sampled, so far.

Asahi Dry Black "Karakuchi", 5.5%

Acquired this at the Maruetsu Petit in Tokyo. I suppose this is suppose to be a Schwarzbier style since it resembles every aspect. Well, almost every aspect with the exception of flavor. I'd say the flavor lasts no more than twelve seconds after swallowing. I believe this product would be ideal for lawn mowing and/or ridged potato chip snacking.

Kirin Beer 2012, 5%

Limited run brewed with the 2012 hop harvest grown in Tohoku. I can't read Japanese so I have no idea what else is written on the can. This is the last beer I bought in Japan. It cost ¥269 at the neighborhood Maruetsu Petit. What can I say except it tastes like a mild version of Bud. Apparently, the quality acceptance of beer for the average domestic Japanese is the same as the average domestic American. Oh well, off to China where watered down beer has to be taken 'cause the tap water is "not good".

Suntory Jokki Nama, 5%abv

I bought this at a Maruetsu Petit in Tokyo about 45 minutes ago. Typical Japanese rice lager with the usual characteristics. Very easy and disappointing to review. Looks, smells, and tastes just like a Bud. The only difference I can detect is that the "Jokki" actually finishes with a lighter hops presence. This is something I'd probably never try again unless it was part of a complimentary mini-bar.