Fujizakura Kogen - Rauch Beer - Yamanashi Prefecture - 5.5% - 500 ml bottle:Taste: Smokey- but not overwhelming so; wood; bacon; very unique & pleasurable.
Smell: Smokey- yup it's at the forefront here too; burning wood; burnt meats; creamy scent emanates from its head.
Looks: Clear light shades of brown; lots of carbonation; big frothy head that lingered about for a few minuets; lacing which holds strong.
Verdict: Drinking this beer conjures up images of sitting by a log fire burning on a winter's day, really what others beers do that for you?! There is a reason why Fujizakura wins medals, and this beer is reason enough! Couldn't drink this on the regular, but can appreciate the craftsmanship behind it. 
Notes of interest: Fujizakura Kogen Brewery is located near the base of Mt. Fuji from which the water source is drawn; the beer is solidly German in style, with Rauchbier (smoked beer) being a rare German style from the Franconia region. A small portion of the barley malt used in the beer is smoked and the malt used in the Fujizakura Kogen version is smoked over cherry wood. The resulting beer is world-class. The rich layers of malt flavor are tempered with a subtle smokiness, allowing a free flow of comparisons with top-shelf single-malt whisky. Pairing it with smoked prepared meats such as ham or sausage results in a seamless marriage of flavors.
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