Asahi Extra Cold Bar pops up in CBD

It feels like the early summer is trying its best to get here, although it's occasionally obstructed by bouts of spring and indeed, some wintry weather. But when pop-up bars like the Asahi Super Dry Extra Cold Bar start to make an appearance, we can be sure summer's on its way.

Asahi Super Dry Extra Cold Bar, Bligh Street, Sydney

Open on weekdays and Saturdays for three months till 23 January 2015, the Asahi Super Dry Extra Cold Bar pop-up is located in a pretty awesome spot for CBD bar: in a building lobby level space that used to be a pretty average sushi joint, across the road from Spice Temple on Bligh Street.

Asahi Super Dry and ice feature

Having already done stints in Asahi's homeland Japan and Korea, the Asahi Super Dry Extra Cold Bar pours the standard Super Dry as well as the newer Super Dry Black at subzero temperatures; specifically, minus 2.2 degrees Celcius.

Asahi Super Dry served at -2.2 degrees Celcius

As alcohol has a much lower freezing point than water, the subzero serving temperature is about as chilled a beer you can probably get; though I'm a little curious to know at what subzero point the beer pulled would be like a slushie.

Pulling an Asahi Super Dry

The intriguing, space-age style beer taps at the pop-up bar pull both ways - first, for the body of the beer and then, to top the glass with a creamy head for both the Asahi Super Dry and Super Dry Black.

Pulling an Asahi Dry Black

Asahi Super Dry Black

As it the first time I'd had the opportunity to try the Asahi Super Dry Black, I had to give it a whirl even on a particularly warm launch evening.

Surprisingly nothing like Guinness and not similar to any other dark beer I've tried, the Asahi Super Dry Black was unexpectedly light and dry for a dark beer, and very, very easy to drink.

Mac and cheese balls

The Super Dry Black even matched well to the wide range of substantial beer snacks doing the rounds, catered by the team behind Bondi's The Corner House.

The mac and cheese balls were a highlight of fried, cheesy pasta goodness, though I would have liked more seasoning.

Pulled pork burgers

There was plenty enough seasoning, and spice, in the mini pulled pork burgers which were sloppily messy and probably even tastier for it running down my arm.

Other morsels on offer include on-theme edamame soy beans and gyoza steamed dumplings to highly beer appropriate popcorn shrimp, sauce-smothered hot wings, parmesan fries and even cheese burgers and fish tacos.

Asahi beer taps

With indoor seating and an outdoor terrace space overlooking the Hunter and Bligh Street intersection, the Asahi Super Dry Extra Cold Bar is set to be a summer favourite for the CBD's beer lovers - particularly if you like your Asahi super dry and extra cold.

Asahi 2-litre can

Asahi coasters

The Asahi Super Dry Extra Cold Bar opens from 4pm-10pm Monday – Wednesday and 12pm- 10pm Thursday – Saturday until 23 January 2015.

Food, Booze & Shoes attended the launch of the Asahi Extra Cold Bar as a guest, with thanks to Haystac Communications.