Yoho Brewing Company - Yona Yona Ale; Ao Oni IPA

The Yoho Brewing Company is in Nagano, Japan.

Yona Yona Ale - This 5.5% ABV beer pours a bright and glowing copper color with a quarter inch of just off-white creamy head that leaves light lacing down the glass.  The aroma is lightly fruity, mostly stone fruits, some caramel malt, a little grain, a touch of grass and the aroma is somehow smooth and round.  The taste is roasted, caramel malt, a bit of rye toast, slightly sweet, but with a bitter and mostly dry finish.

Ao Oni IPA - The name apparently refers to a legendary Japanese blue gnome.  This 7.0% ABV beer pours a radiant and glowing orangish-copper-amber in color.  There is a half inch of just off-white thick and foamy head.  The aroma is zesty, spicy, a very light fruit and citrus and a caramel malt background.  The taste is caramel malt, light dark cherry, light bitter grapefruit and a very dry and bitter finish.  Certainly more of an English style IPA than American style.

Tokyo Black Porter - This 5.0% ABV beer pours a super dark brown, appearing totally black unless held to the light.  There is a slight head of brown foam that rapidly dissipates.  The aroma is smokey, peaty, roasted malt.  The taste is a very deep, dark, roasted malt, slightly smokey, very dark cocoa, a bit of bitter black coffee.  Very dry with just a hint of tartness after the wave of roasted malts.