Asahi Dry Black 6Pk

Asahi Super Dry Black 6-Pack is a Japanese dark lager brewed at 5.5% ABV, combining roasted malt richness with Asahi's signature dry, crisp finish. Unlike heavier stouts or porters, this dark lager keeps things light and refreshing — a distinctly Japanese approach to dark beer that prioritizes drinkability over weight.

Quick Facts: ABV: 5.5%  |  Origin: Osaka, Japan  |  Style: Dark Lager  |  Brewery: Asahi Breweries (est. 1889)

Production & Heritage

Asahi Breweries traces its roots to 1889, when it was established as the Osaka Beer Company. Super Dry Black is brewed using Asahi's proprietary No. 318 yeast alongside rice and heavily roasted malt, plus caramel malt for color and body. The result is a beer with unusually high attenuation — a hallmark of the "dry" brewing philosophy — achieved through extended fermentation and careful ingredient selection. Where traditional dark beers rely on residual sweetness and heavy body, Super Dry Black strips that back, letting the roasted grain character stand on its own against a clean, dry backdrop.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Roasted malt leads immediately, followed by hints of dark toast and a faint charcoal-like smokiness. A subtle nutty sweetness rounds out the nose as it opens up.

Taste: The entry is chocolatey and smooth, with caramel malt lending gentle sweetness at the mid-palate. As it develops, darker flavors emerge — toasted nuts, bread crust, and a whisper of liquorice — before the signature Asahi dryness takes over and cleans everything up. The rice addition keeps the body lighter than the color suggests.

Finish: Medium in length with a dry, crisp close that fades through white toast and faint smokiness. There is no lingering heaviness, just a clean snap that invites the next sip.

How to Drink Super Dry Black

Pour cold into a tall glass to showcase its deep color and creamy tan foam; drinking temperature around 5–7°C brings out the roasted malt aroma without muting the dry finish. Black Velvet: Layer with dry champagne or sparkling wine for an elegant, effervescent contrast to the roasted malt. Black & Tan: Float a standard Asahi Super Dry on top for a two-tone pour that transitions from crisp lager to dark malt depth. Shandy Noir: Mix with lemonade or grapefruit soda for a refreshing summer drink where the roasted notes add unexpected complexity.

Best For

• Dark beer drinkers who find stouts and porters too heavy
• Pairing with grilled meats at a Japanese-style barbecue (yakiniku)
• Introducing friends to dark lagers without overwhelming bitterness
• Building a Japanese beer tasting flight alongside lighter lagers

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Asahi Super Dry Black taste like? It opens with smooth chocolate and caramel malt sweetness, then transitions to toasted nuts, dark bread crust, and faint liquorice before a clean, dry finish. The overall impression is much lighter and crisper than its dark color suggests.

How does Super Dry Black compare to Sapporo Premium Black? Both are Japanese dark lagers, but Super Dry Black leans drier and crisper due to Asahi's high-attenuation brewing method and rice addition, while Sapporo Premium Black tends toward a slightly fuller, sweeter malt body. Super Dry Black prioritizes refreshment; Sapporo Black leans more into traditional dark lager richness.

Is Super Dry Black good for beginners? Yes — its light body and dry finish make it one of the most approachable dark beers available, stripping away the heaviness that can intimidate newcomers to darker styles.

Where is Super Dry Black made? It is brewed by Asahi Breweries, which was founded in 1889 in Osaka, Japan. Asahi remains one of Japan's largest and oldest brewing companies.

What foods pair well with Super Dry Black? Grilled yakitori chicken benefits from the roasted malt echo; tonkatsu (breaded pork cutlet) finds balance in the beer's dry cut; aged cheddar or gouda complements the caramel and nutty malt notes; dark chocolate desserts align naturally with the chocolatey aroma; and smoked salmon works with the faint charcoal character in the finish.

What sizes does Super Dry Black come in? This listing is a 6-pack; Asahi Super Dry Black is also available in individual bottles and cans depending on market availability.

Is Super Dry Black worth the price? It positions as a mid-range import lager, comparable in price to other Japanese premium beers. The unique dark lager style and high drinkability give it clear differentiation from both standard pale lagers and heavier dark ales at a similar price point.

Why Super Dry Black?

What sets this beer apart is Asahi's decision to apply its famous dry-brewing technique — high attenuation, rice-augmented grain bill, proprietary No. 318 yeast — to a dark malt base. The result occupies a rare middle ground: genuine roasted malt flavor without the weight of a stout or the sweetness of a traditional dunkel. Few dark lagers on the market achieve this balance of visual drama and palate-cleansing crispness. For drinkers who want the flavor complexity of dark beer with the sessionability of a lager, Super Dry Black fills a gap that most breweries don't even attempt.