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Asahi Nama Beer Kuronama

Asahi Breweries
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🌍 Japan · Dunkel · One of 32 Dunkels in hopIQ

Asahi Nama Beer Kuronama goes back to 1982, when the brewery released Japan's first canned dark draught. Since 1995 the recipe has blended black, crystal and Munich malts, and the label still names the Munich type. It was withdrawn in 2015 and returned in 2022 under the Asahi Nama Beer brand. It pours dark brown with a fine-bubbled head. Roasted malt and caramel lead the aroma, and the palate is mellow and lightly sweet, with a hint of cocoa, low bitterness and a short, clean finish.

ABV
5%
Bitterness
Lightly bitter
Roasted bitterness
SRM
deep amber20
See all Dunkel alternatives →
How it drinks· Its pace, balance and relationship to the style.
Pace
sessionsipper
Balance
malt-ledhop-led
Style expression
textbookdistinctive
Where this beer sits· Four axes, the same for every beer in hopIQ.
Body
Substantial body.
lightfull-bodied
Sweetness
Off-dry finish.
drysweet
Bitterness
Soft bitterness.
mildbitter
Texture
Balanced mouthfeel.
crispcreamy

Each axis lands close to the centre in a considered, even reading.

A profile in balance where the form comes from all sides, every layer speaks in turn.

Character· What makes this beer itself — not just another Dunkel.
Malt character
roasted
caramel
malty
chocolate
bready
Fermentation & yeast
clean

Tasting Notes

AI-generated sensory profile for Asahi Nama Beer Kuronama

Appearance

Pours dark brown with substantial opacity, presenting the characteristic depth expected of a Dunkel. A fine-bubbled head forms with moderate retention, displaying delicate lacing as the beer settles. Carbonation appears gentle and well-integrated, consistent with a traditional draught presentation.

dark brownfine headmoderate retention

Aroma

The nose leads with roasted malt character, supported by distinct caramel sweetness. A subtle cocoa undertone emerges beneath, while the overall impression remains clean and malt-forward without aggressive hop presence. The aromatic profile reflects the blend of black, crystal, and Munich malts used in the current recipe.

roasted maltcaramelcocoa undertoneclean

Taste

The palate enters mellow and lightly sweet, with roasted and bready malt notes forming the body. Mid-palate reveals gentle chocolate nuances and a smooth texture; bitterness remains restrained throughout, never sharp or assertive. The malt sweetness carries through without cloying, supported by the beer's moderate 5% ABV.

smoothmalt-sweetchocolatelow bitterness

Finish

The finish is short and clean, allowing roasted malt and cocoa notes to fade without lingering harshness. The aftertaste remains dry and refreshing, with no astringency or unwanted residue.

cleanshortdry
76
hopIQ score
Aroma
78
Taste
75
Appearance
76
Finish
74
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Serve & Enjoy

How to get the most out of Asahi Nama Beer Kuronama

Serve at 7–9°C
Refrigerate, then rest 2 min

Serve at 7–9°C for the best flavour balance and aroma expression.

Stein
Recommended for this style

The sturdy German stein maintains temperature and keeps carbonation intact. Built for long, convivial drinking.

Store in a cool, dark place. Check the best-before date on the label for guidance.

Food Pairing

What to eat with Asahi Nama Beer Kuronama

About Dunkel

Style guide · what to expect · how to find alternatives

What is a Dunkel?

Dunkel is a distinctive beer style with its own characteristic flavour, aroma and colour. Discover what makes it unique and find similar beers on hopIQ.

Finding a similar Dunkel

hopIQ matches by flavor profile — not just style label. A beer with the same roasted, clean, caramel character as Asahi Nama Beer Kuronama will score highly even if brewed in a different country or under a different sub-style name.

Other Dunkels in hopIQ

Compare with another beer →Explore all Dunkel beers in hopIQ →Browse Japan beers →