Series: Lager Love (part 5) - Size Matters

Yesterday was officially the last day for summer holidays for Japanese school children. But it certainly doesn't feel that way here in sweltering Tokyo with absolutely sweltering record high temperatures. Yuck! Still, One Woman has found her way to the world wide web, returning from the blissful days of summer. For the next three months, I'll be keeping you posted on beer in Japan. For today, it's back to the series, Lager Love.

The scenario:
It's hot, I'm jet lagged, but I really, really want a beer. There are two things going against me though. If I drink, I'll get uncomfortably hot, and immediately pass out (because I can only handle 2 sips of beer when I'm jet lagged).

The solution:
Enter, the super mini beer! Kirin Ichibanshibori~
Like many things in Japan, it is very cute. Oh, how I love these little dainty tins. Thank you dad, for welcoming me home with a cute tin of well-chilled Kirin. There is but one sip of the cool little golden droplets made from the first batch wort of the kirin 'draft' (=unpasteurized) in this tiny can, but the first part is the best part anyway! Compared to the other big beers of Japan, the Kirin Ichibanshibori is slightly darker in color, and has a toastier malt flavor than your average German-style light malt. But the most beautiful thing about this beer is the joy that it provides in its fleeting moment in your hands. Really, it's just long enough for the sound of bells of joy to ring and fade away...

It is so taste.

Musical pairing: Listen to Michael Jackson's bell-like voice in 'Human Nature' accompanied by various tiny synth bell-like effects. Glorious! (Happy Birthday MJ!) And for the adventurous, here's Miles Davis' version on that 1985 album where Miles is dressed sort of, um.. MJ style. I love the wind chimes. But is it really okay to use them 9 times in a single 4:36 track?!

And that's it for the series, Lager Love.