You’ve likely heard of coffee made from beans semi-digested by cats, but the beer industry wanted in on the action as well. Instead of cats, however, Sankt Gallen Brewery used beans found in elephant poop to create Un, Kono Kuro.
Forget the weird fruits, obscure extracts, and other questionable ingredients brewers have used in the past. This tops the list of weirdest ingredients. It’s somehow even more odd than Wynkoop using actual bull testicles. They’re so proud of the process that they actually put a picture of an elephant taking a dump on the label. So how does it taste? As with many seemingly ridiculous ideas, it somehow worked out well.
When I poured it into a glass the coffee-like aroma continued to build it was relaxing like an easy Sunday morning. After taking my first sip there was an initial bitterness that got washed over by a wave of sweetness. Following that, a mellow body rolled in and spread out through my mouth.
Usually people talk about aftertaste when drinking beer but with Un, Kono Kuro the word afterglow is much more appropriate.
After downing the last drop, slowly rising from my throat and mouth was that afterglow. The combination of bitter and sweet stayed fresh and lingered in my head. It was a familiar aroma that accompanied me through the entire beer.
For some time after I could still feel as if my body was saturated with that warm scent. Luckily there were two more bottles left.
Those are just a few of the things Mr. Sato had to say. He also pointed out that the name is a play on the Japanese word for “crap.” I highly recommend checking out his full report, assuming of course you’re still interested in beer made from elephant shit, which you should be.