Luke Pernotto

Living in Japan I have access to some interesting products that are not common in the US. One of these is two versions of the same beer from a singular brewery, but packaged differently. I have access to beer sold at local Japanese bottle shops and beer sold at package stores on US Military Bases. This brings up a unique look into the distribution of beer and how it changes in different markets. While the brewery, Smog City, remains the same the distributors are very different. The Japanese version came from Antenna America. This is a Japanese company under Nagano Distribution. This company ships beer in cold storage from breweries mostly in California. The US Version came from the Marine Corps Community Services . They ship us products all over the world to supply and service the US military stationed overseas. I am unaware if MCCS ships beer in cold storage, but the beer I purchased was off the shelf outside of refrigeration.

Really I was not expecting much differences in the two versions. American beers are still very novel over in Japan and I did not feel that a smaller US Brewery would try and change too much of their style to meet a specific market in Japan. As you will read I did pick up some slight differences that could possibly be attributed to storage, differences in brewery batches, or most likely my imperfect pallet.

Packaging: As you can see the biggest differences in the product is the packaging. In the picture the US version is on the right and the Japanese version is on the left. I noticed that the Japan Version had the brewery location prominently marked on the top of the front of the can. The front of the can also had dominant flavors that the brewery felt the drinker would be sold on to select his beer over the others on the rack. Markings for Craft Beer, 1% for the Planet were the same for both beers but placed in different locations. The Japanese symbol for can recycling was located on the Japan Version, but absent on the US Version. The Japan version also had the country required markings for alcohol which include ingredients, brewery/distributor information, age warning and alcohol content. This information is required by Japanese law and even cans from the US and other countries will have this information attached to the packaging. This is most commonly seen in a sticker that is affixed to the bottle or can. Both beers were in cans with the volume marked in pints for the US market and mL for the Japanese market.

US Market Fresh brewed dark roast coffee aroma. Smelled slightly less pungent as Japan version but also smelled the US Market version second. Head is tan brown with tiny and small bubbles which is very persistent. As the head dissapates a solid continuous lace remains on the side of the glass. The distinct coffee aroma persist over time. Compared to the Japan Market version the roast flavors are lighter and not as dominant on the pallet. The mouthfeel is more creamer than the Japan version, but the mouthfeel is slightly more dry. I would say after a full can your mouth may feel a little dry if you are not drinking water with the beer. Definite coffee aroma persists with time. Lighter roast malt barley flavor. Creamer mouth feel. Roasted flavor tapers off and is not as dominant on the aftertaste. Medium to dry mouth feel. Deep deep brown color. Appears clear with no visible sediment in the glass.

Japan Market Fresh brewed dark roast coffee aroma. Head is light tan with tiny bubbles that are almost khaki colored with a creamy texture. After taking sips the beer leaves a great beer lace design on the side of the glass. Over time the coffee aroma changes to more of the harsh sulphur scents. The flavor of the beer is strong roasted malt barley. Although roast flavors are dominant, there is a malt sweetness that comes out of the beer. These flavors linger pleasantly on the pallet. Mouthfeel is medium and the roasted sense lingers in the aftertaste. Deep deep brown color. Appears clear with no visible sediment in the glass.

Beer Information:
Style: Coffee Porter
Packaging: Can, US Expiration Date (02/08/24), Japan Expiration Date (12/11/24)
Ingredients: Made from Malt, hops, and coffee. Stats: ABV 6% for both, US Version 1 Pint, Japan Version 473 mL, SRM not listed but I would say around a 30-35.