Taste Test: Rice Beer

There’s no denying the supreme drinkability of a cold, crisp rice beer, as industry stalwarts like macro Japanese breweries Sapporo and Asahi demonstrate. But smaller craft brewers are increasingly tinkering with the style, recognizing the mass appeal of a clean, crushable beer while still experimenting with their own interpretations. Whether using whole grain sushi rice or toying with unique hop profiles, these rice beers deliver on both drinkability and delight.

Crux Bochi Bochi Japanese Rice Lager

Ryan Atagi, Crux head brewer and fourth-generation Japanese American, created Bochi Bochi as a way to brew a Japanese rice lager that honored both his heritage and the classic rice beers he loved. Brewed with 40 percent whole grain Calrose rice and whole-leaf Tettnang hops, Bochi Bochi is supremely light and crisp, with an almost creamy mouthfeel and a subtle note of toasty rice on the finish. See cruxfermentation.com for distribution.

Japas Cervejaria Nama Biiru Japanese Rice Lager

Brewed by Japas Cervejaria in homage to the nama biru (fresh, unpasteurized beer) found on tap in the izakayas of Japan, Nama Biiru super dry rice lager was designed to be just as crushable. The Nipo-Brazilian, women-founded brewery based in São Paulo uses Sorachi Ace and Lemondrop hops, and the resulting brew is bright and crisp with a subtle note of clover honey. See japascervejaria.com for distribution.

Threes Brewing Gowanus Gold Rice Lager

Brooklyn-based Threes Brewing aims for a flavorful twist with their rice lager, utilizing the bolder Carolina Gold rice and German pilsner malt. Slightly fuller-bodied than a standard rice lager, the beer uses New Zealand Pacifica hops to add bright citrus notes and a subtle herbaceous quality to the smooth, drinkable brew. See threesbrewing.com for distribution.

Dokkaebier Rice Kolsch

Oakland brewery Dokkaebier takes its name from the mischievous spirits of Korean folklore, and CEO Youngwon Lee aims to imbue the beers with the same playfulness, experimenting with Asian ingredients from kimchi to calamansi. Rice Kolsch is their take on the classic German brew, with rice adding a toasted, nutty flavor to the beer’s malty notes and pleasantly bitter backbone. See enjoydkb.com for distribution.

Wiseacre Brewing Co. Irusu Rice Lager

Davin Bartosch, brewmaster and co-founder of Memphis’ Wiseacre, was inspired while traveling through Japan by the country’s traditional dry rice lagers. What resulted was Irusu, the brewery’s take on the style made with pilsner and two-row malt complementing the rice, and Apollo and Lemondrop hops for bitterness and aroma. Extra light-bodied, the beer has a true rice flavor that comes through its crisp profile. See wiseacrebrew.com for distribution.

Otherwise Brewing Calrose Crisp Rice Lager

The fully gluten-free San Francisco brewery Otherwise makes their flagship rice lager with malted Calrose rice. Showcasing a deeper golden hue than the average rice beer, Calrose Crisp is subtly reminiscent of a German pilsner, with flavors of honey nicely complementing the toasty rice notes, while the Hallertau hops give a crisp, bitter finish. See otherwisebrewing.com for distribution.