Japan has plenty of unusual regional beers, but few are as immediately eye-catching as the bright blue beer produced in Abashiri, Hokkaido.
Known as Ryuhyo Draft, or “Drift Ice Draft,” this striking blue drink is inspired by the frozen Sea of Okhotsk. It is one of the signature products of Abashiri Beer, a local brewery that uses the landscape, ingredients, and culture of eastern Hokkaido as inspiration.
I received a three-beer Abashiri set as a souvenir and tasted the following varieties side by side:
- ABASHIRI Golden Ale
- ABASHIRI White Ale
- Ryuhyo Draft
Although the blue beer naturally attracts the most attention, the other two turned out to be just as interesting.
Here is what each Abashiri beer tastes like, how they differ, and which one I would recommend trying during a trip to Hokkaido.
Quick Comparison of the Three Abashiri Beers
ABASHIRI Golden Ale
A hop-forward golden ale with noticeable bitterness and a citrus-like aroma. This is the best choice for IPA and pale ale drinkers.
ABASHIRI White Ale
A smooth and gently sweet wheat beer with orange peel, coriander, and a soft fruity aroma. This is the easiest of the three to drink.
Ryuhyo Draft
A bright blue, crisp, lightly flavored drink with a dry finish and lively carbonation. It is the most unusual and memorable choice.
What Is Abashiri Beer?
Abashiri Beer is a craft brewery based in Abashiri, a city on the northeastern coast of Hokkaido.
The company was established in 1998 following local beer research connected with the Okhotsk campus of Tokyo University of Agriculture. Since then, the brewery has developed a range of drinks using local ingredients and themes from the Abashiri area.
Instead of producing only conventional ales and lagers, Abashiri Beer is particularly known for colorful products inspired by Hokkaido’s scenery.
Its lineup has included a green beer representing the forests of Shiretoko, a cherry-colored drink made with locally grown cherries, and a dark stout inspired by the historic Abashiri Prison.
The most famous of them all is Ryuhyo Draft.
Released in 2008, Ryuhyo Draft uses drift ice from the Sea of Okhotsk as part of its brewing water. Its brilliant blue color is created with natural gardenia coloring and is intended to evoke the winter sea around Abashiri.
ABASHIRI Golden Ale
The first beer I tried was ABASHIRI Golden Ale.
It is brewed with several types of malt, including barley malt produced in Abashiri and malt from Germany. The brewery describes it as a clean, balanced ale with gentle malt sweetness and a refreshing, citrus-peel-like bitterness from the hops.
Appearance
As the name suggests, the packaging has a bold golden design.
In the glass, however, the beer is closer to a deep golden-orange or light amber color. It looks richer than a typical Japanese lager and immediately feels more like a traditional craft ale.
Aroma and Flavor
The first thing I noticed was the bitterness.
This was not simply a harsh or unpleasant bitterness. It had the distinct character of hops, accompanied by a strong citrus-like aroma that rose through the nose after each sip.
Although it is sold as a golden ale, the combination of bitterness and aroma reminded me more of a mild IPA or an American-style pale ale.
There is still some malt flavor underneath, but the hops make the strongest impression.
Who Would Enjoy It?
ABASHIRI Golden Ale is the best of these three for drinkers who enjoy:
- Pale ales
- Moderately bitter IPAs
- Citrus-forward hops
- Beers with a stronger aroma
Drinkers expecting a light Japanese lager may find it surprisingly bitter. Craft beer fans, however, will probably find it the most familiar and satisfying beer in the set.
Suggested Food Pairings
The citrusy bitterness should work well with rich or fried dishes such as:
- Hokkaido fried chicken, known as zangi
- Grilled sausages
- Hamburgers
- Fried seafood
- Spicy dishes
The bitterness helps cut through oily and strongly seasoned food.
ABASHIRI White Ale
Next was ABASHIRI White Ale.
This Belgian-style white ale is brewed with Kitahonami, a variety of winter wheat grown in Abashiri. Orange peel and coriander seed are also used to give it a citrusy, lightly spiced aroma. The beer is unfiltered, which contributes to its soft and cloudy appearance.
It is somewhat similar in concept to well-known Belgian witbiers such as Hoegaarden White.
Why Does the Label Say Happoshu?
Visitors to Japan may notice that ABASHIRI White Ale is legally labeled happoshu rather than beer.
Happoshu is a Japanese legal and tax classification for certain sparkling alcoholic drinks made with malt, hops, or beer-like ingredients. It is not necessarily a description of quality or brewing style.
Craft beers containing ingredients such as fruit, spices, or other adjuncts can sometimes fall into this category under Japanese liquor regulations, even when international drinkers would normally consider them beer.
In practical terms, ABASHIRI White Ale should be approached as a Belgian-style wheat beer.
Appearance
The beer has a pale, cloudy appearance typical of an unfiltered wheat beer.
Compared with the Golden Ale, it looks lighter and softer. The cloudiness also gives it the creamy visual character many drinkers associate with witbier or weizen-style beers.
Aroma and Flavor
The mouthfeel is extremely mild and smooth.
There is a noticeable sweetness, very little bitterness, and a soft texture that makes it easy to drink.
The aroma begins with a fruity character that reminded me slightly of banana. This is followed by the citrus and spice of the orange peel and coriander.
Neither flavor is overpowering. They provide a gentle accent rather than making the beer taste strongly perfumed or spicy.
Overall, it is creamy, fruity, lightly sweet, and refreshing.
Who Would Enjoy It?
ABASHIRI White Ale is the best choice for:
- People who do not enjoy strongly bitter beer
- Fans of Belgian witbier
- Drinkers who prefer fruity aromas
- Anyone looking for an easy introduction to Japanese craft beer
Of the three beers, this was the smoothest and most approachable.
Suggested Food Pairings
Its soft wheat flavor and citrus aroma should pair nicely with:
- Hokkaido seafood
- Smoked salmon
- Scallops
- Fresh cheese
- Salads
- Lightly seasoned chicken
- Sushi with delicate white fish
It would also work well as a refreshing drink during warmer weather.
Ryuhyo Draft: Abashiri’s Famous Blue Beer
The final drink was Ryuhyo Draft, the product most people associate with Abashiri Beer.
The Japanese word ryuhyo means drift ice. Every winter, sea ice reaches the coast of northeastern Hokkaido, turning the Sea of Okhotsk into one of Japan’s most spectacular winter landscapes.
Ryuhyo Draft uses drift ice as part of its brewing water and natural gardenia coloring to create its vivid blue appearance. The official product is currently sold as a 5% ABV happoshu.
Appearance
There is no mistaking this drink for an ordinary beer.
When poured into a glass, it has a clear turquoise-blue color that looks almost like the ocean on a sunny day. It is closer in appearance to a cocktail or soda than a traditional ale or lager.
It certainly makes an impression, especially when served in a clear glass.
What Does Blue Beer Taste Like?
Despite its dramatic appearance, the flavor is relatively simple.
Ryuhyo Draft has a clean, light, and dry taste. The carbonation felt slightly stronger than in the other two beers, giving it a crisp and lively finish.
There is not much malt richness or hop bitterness. Instead, it focuses on refreshment.
The blue color may influence the experience, but it almost feels colder and sharper than a normal beer. It matches the drift-ice theme surprisingly well.
That said, I had mixed feelings about the color. It is fun and memorable, but seeing such a bright blue drink can feel strange when you are expecting beer.
Is Ryuhyo Draft Just a Gimmick?
The unusual color is clearly the main attraction, and serious craft beer drinkers may find the flavor less complex than the brewery’s Golden Ale or White Ale.
However, I would not dismiss it completely as a gimmick.
It succeeds as a regional specialty because it connects the drink directly to Abashiri’s landscape. You are not simply drinking a blue alcoholic beverage; you are drinking something designed to represent the frozen Sea of Okhotsk.
That makes it especially enjoyable as part of a Hokkaido trip.
Who Would Enjoy It?
Ryuhyo Draft is best for:
- Travelers looking for an unusual Japanese beer
- People buying a memorable Hokkaido souvenir
- Drinkers who prefer light and crisp flavors
- Anyone who wants a colorful drink for photos
- Visitors traveling to Abashiri during drift-ice season
It is probably not the best choice for someone seeking a rich, strongly hopped craft beer. For a unique travel experience, however, it is difficult to beat.
Which Abashiri Beer Is the Best?
My personal recommendation depends on what you normally enjoy.
Choose Golden Ale for the Strongest Beer Flavor
Golden Ale has the most noticeable hop bitterness and citrus aroma.
It is the best option for experienced craft beer drinkers, particularly those who enjoy pale ales and moderately bitter IPAs.
Choose White Ale for the Easiest Drinking Experience
White Ale is mild, smooth, fruity, and low in bitterness.
It is the safest recommendation for someone trying Abashiri Beer for the first time and the variety I would choose when drinking with a meal.
Choose Ryuhyo Draft for the Most Memorable Experience
Ryuhyo Draft is not the most complex beer of the three, but it is easily the most distinctive.
For travelers, it also tells the strongest story. Drinking a blue beer made with drift ice while visiting the frozen coast of Abashiri is the kind of experience you are unlikely to find anywhere else in Japan.
Where Can You Buy Abashiri Beer?
Abashiri Beer is easiest to find in Hokkaido, particularly around Abashiri and in shops selling regional souvenirs.
You may also come across its products in larger Hokkaido souvenir stores, department-store fairs, craft beer events, and selected liquor shops elsewhere in Japan.
The brewery currently operates an official Japanese online store and sells mixed sets containing Ryuhyo Draft, White Ale, Golden Ale, and other products. Availability at individual shops can change, so checking the brewery’s current product information before traveling is recommended.
Visitors flying through New Chitose Airport can also check the larger souvenir shops selling locally produced Hokkaido beer, although the exact Abashiri Beer selection may vary.
Final Thoughts
Abashiri Beer is a good example of how Japanese regional breweries turn local ingredients and landscapes into distinctive products.
Golden Ale offers assertive hop bitterness and citrus aroma.
White Ale provides a soft, fruity, and approachable wheat-beer experience.
Ryuhyo Draft delivers something entirely different: a brilliant blue drink inspired by the drift ice of the Sea of Okhotsk.
For flavor alone, I would choose ABASHIRI White Ale or Golden Ale. But as a Hokkaido souvenir—and as a beer with a story—Ryuhyo Draft is the one visitors are most likely to remember.
When you visit Abashiri, try it after seeing the real drift ice. The beer will probably make much more sense.
Please drink responsibly. The legal drinking age in Japan is 20.
