Tennō Dry
Schilling Beer Co.

Canned 6/27/24

It’s been a minute since I’ve tried a new Japanese Rice Lager, but not long since I’ve had a beer that’s probably past its prime. Fuck it, if recent experiences tell me anything I’m sure this will be just fine. Let’s get into it

Pours a clear pale yellow with 3 fingers of soapy white head that slowly fades to a thin cap and leaves nice lacing

The nose is bright and spicy, very vibrant for an 8 month old can. I’m picking up on aromas of lemon zest, grassy hops, white pepper, crackery malt, earthy wheat, light grapefruit, and rice

It loses a bit of its bite in taste but this is still damn good. On the front end of the sip I’m tasting crackery malt, white pepper, honey, lemon zest, earthy wheat, and light grass. The swallow brings notes of lime zest, crackery malt, floral hops, homey, light grapefruit, and white pepper

A medium body pairs with gentle carbonation, resulting in a smooth and crisp beer. Finishes mostly dry with a gentle bite

Even for an old can, this is a great Rice Lager. I’ll have to try it fresher next time

 

16 oz can

pours pale straw color, thick layer of bright white colored head. crystal clear, good head retention. aroma is earthy herbal and lemon. taste is crackery, fairly mild, starts with a little rice sweetness but then a short drier finish. thinner bodied, lively carbonation

08/08/24 can @ Drew’s NYC

 

Clear white gold with a lumpy white foam head.

Gently crisp and refreshing, freshly baked and butter brushed light wheat white bun is delivered without the waxy tang you might expect of rice lager.

Quite pleasant.

 

From a 16oz can, dated 07/06/23. Served in a cervoise because fancy.

Pours a crystalline super-pale champagne-yellow with active carbonation and a finger-plus of frothy, white foam. Retention is excellent, leaving a sudsy cap and decent lacing.

Nose has a bright, cereal aroma with baking soda-like sharpness.

Taste is clean and dry. Tasting Rice Krispies because, of course, my brain is telling me to, but not the fresh ones at the top of the box so much as the crushed, dusty ones at the bottom. Lemony, gassy and floral. Mild spicy bitterness then, despite starting off clean, there’s just a smidge of tacky sweetness at the end.

Feel is light and bright with vigorous sparkling water-like carbonation.

Overall, a mixed bag but mostly to the good. My sickness wouldn’t let me simply enjoy a nice beer without inserting Rice Krispies into my brain.

 

Ended up liking this rice lager way more than I had anticipated. Really tasty. Pours with a pillow of white that lasts and clings. Aromas are fairly light, and don't really give away the great malt character encountered in the flavor. Every so slightly sweet, and super drinkable with a little zing at the finish.

 

 

 

 

 

Can from the Packie
Pours a mostly clear pale straw color with a thin white head that slowly recedes. Crackery pilsner maltiness with hints of sweet cereal grain and bits of earthy floral to counter. Clean well made.

 

From a 16 oz. can with a smudged August 2021 date stamp. Sampled October 2, 2021.

The appearance is light yellow-amber with good clarity and an enormous then fading white head.

Aroma of grains, cooked rice, lemon grass, and herbal sensations like rosemary or sage.

Light mouthfeel but also smooth.

The taste is at first sweet and grainy with a burst of lemongrass and a light herbal finale. It also ends mildly dry. Rice aroma is more prominent than the taste.