Pepper Draft
Nihon Beer Jōzō K.K.

Appearance: Poured into a pint glass with a sprinkle of salt at the bottom, per the label's instructions. Golden, clear, straw body; pitiful white, fizzy head that has trouble forming and even more trouble retaining. Points for novelty awarded for the whole peppercorns that slip from the bottle and fall to the bottom of the glass.

Smell: Light lager malts, perhaps a touch of corny adjuncts, and an amazing fresh-cracked black pepper smell. The spice is not overpowering, but the light body allows the pepper to really be enjoyed for what it is. Imagine smelling black pepper without worrying that you might sneeze or irritate your sinuses.

Taste: Basically everything in the aroma; pepper is more subdued than anticipated, but it is definitely there; beer's base is fairly blase, but this beer is all about the pepper, which really has a nice and surprisingly nuanced flavor. Little is done to marry the malts/hops with the spice, but it doesn't overwhelm or taste off, so it works. Finish is crisp, clean, dry, and peppery/hot.

Mouthfeel: Effervescent and fizzy, and a bit sticky on the palate. Light body carries the zippy pepper flavor well, but at the expense of savorability.

Drinkability: Overall, this is a pleasant and interesting beer. I wouldn't want more than a few at a time, but it could potentially be a really versatile and unique beer to serve with food.