Fujizakura Kogen - Rauch Bock

Fujizakura Kogen - Rauch Bock - Yamanashi Prefecture - 7% - 500 ml bottle:
Taste: Smokey, roasted/smoked malts, some sweetness, some hops, black pepper, black liquorish, burning wood (ash).
Smell: Sweet notes dominate, smokey as well.
Look: A very dark brown, big tan head, little to no lace, carbonated.
Verdict: Like the Rauch Beer this is a truely smokey beer brewed in a rare fashion. Most of all I appreciate the work put into this beer, it is very unique indeed. I feel like I should be eating a pile of BBQ while drinking this and kinda feel guilty that I'm not.

Fujizakura Kogen - Octoberfest Weizen

Fujizakura Kogen - Octoberfest Weizen - Yamanashi Prefecture - UK (weizen-style) Pint @ Bulldog Pub:
Taste: Wheat brings out banana, hints of orange & lemon, slightly smokey, fizzy from carbonation.
Smell: Bubble gum is up front here, whiffs of banana.
Looks: Great thick head, strong lace which hold, very opaque - reminiscent of apple cider, remains carbonated even after an hour! (So I was drinking slow - problem for you?!)Verdict: Maybe I've mentioned I'm not too into wheat beers, but here in Japan I've had an opportunity to expand my mind and try some interesting takes on this style, this Octoberfest weizen was smooth, creamy and actually hit the spot nicely, much more enjoyable than a regular weizen.

Fujizakura Kogen - Rauch Beer

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.