12oz can poured into a lager glass. This can of beer was given to me as a gift. I’m not sure about it’s particular background but the labeling is in what I assume is the Japanese This beer looks fine. It is darker than a typical American pale lager. It has the expected aroma of additives. There is also a stale aroma about it that I find pretty common in pale lagers. The palate is thin and a little oily, it isn’t crisp like a kolsh or grainy like a pilsener. There may be a touch of tar citrus tartness in the finish. All in all this is another beer for the masses. Unless you are an expert at pale lagers it isn’t much different than the hundreds of other examples on the beer market.

Orion is not worth the bother, I had it with traditional Japanese cuisine, at a noodle house. Very weak head, which dissipated very quickly. Golden yellow color. First sip was very mild and watery. Although Orion seemed slightly better as I enjoyed my noodles and dumplings, next time i’ll stick with a Sapporo or perhaps Saki.

23-May-08 (633-ml bottle: Purchased 12-May-08 for $2.99 at Hi-Time Wine Cellars in Costa Mesa, CA) Nothing too special with this Asian beer. Rice and bready sweetness are the principle flavors, but there’s a hint of spicy, mildly bitter hops in the background, plus a mild, lemony tartness in the finish. The beer shows better balance as it warms up, and this increases enjoyment and drinkability. Along with the standard rice, cardboard and adjuncty aromas, there’s also some lemongrass and peppery spice, so all is not lost in that department either. On the palate, it’s light in body, medium-high in carbonation, and somewhat refreshing from the lemony tartness. Golden-yellow in color with brilliant clarity. The fizzy, white head pours fairly bubbly and dissipates rapidly. Overall, I wasn’t impressed by the beer when it was cold, but it’s actually not a bad-tasting beer. However, it’s not enjoyable enough to purchase again.

After a long, unusually humid day, I needed a thirst quencher. I had none of my usual go-to thirst quenchers cold, so I found this, popped the cap and pounded it down. If I was rating this stuff on it’s ability to quench a thirst, I would give it a solid 5. But, since were talking about nerd beers here, this one is rather dull.

One of the better beers from Japan available here in the states. Your Sapporo, Kirin and Asahis are all brewed in North America. Orion is still brewed in Okinawa, Japan and brought over on containers. If anything, you can appreciate that. Refreshing beer.