From Miyoshi in the Iruma District of Japan comes their “Shikkoku Black Lager”. The beer pours a deep brown to black colour with a tan head.  The aroma consist of roasted malts, toffee and some sweetness.  The flavour is of roasted malts, toffee, caramel, mild earth, sweetness and very mild hops.  The alcohol content comes in at 5%.  While not one of my favourite black lagers this was still pretty good.

Commercial Description:  Shikkoku is a Japanese word that evokes the jet-black color of onyx, perfect for this enchantingly dark, slow-aged brew marked by an elegant, mellow flavor profile.  Enigmatic shadows contrast sharply with the brightness of its fine, tea-colored head, while the fragrance of aromatic hops delights the nose.  The types of black malt join six other malt varieties for a black lager that is smooth, light, and balanced- never cloying.  Japan proudly offers this dark jewel to stand among the best dark beers in the world.