Shikiko
Highlander Beer

these guys have been putting out some elite beers lately, especially from their salmon location, where a lot of cool innovation has beer rolling, so i had real high hopes for a rice lager, but this one only get me halfway there, a somehow really grain heavy take despite how light it appears, i wouldnt say off style, but it lacks the crispness the style is generally known for, somewhat of a disappointment, not because its bad, but because its nowhere near as good as compelling as things have been lately. unassumingly light looking, blonde and clearish, modest white head from the tap, the nose is starchy and floral from the rice, i get a european note too, pils malt perhaps, some lightly fruity character from the lager yeast, bready even, mineral rich, not snappy but not too minimal, fresh but maybe with not quite traditional proportions, presents as malty to me. the flavor is similar, and this isnt refreshing, somehow with more body than it looks like it should have, and some real linger on the palate, not quite tannic or anything but more length than expected, rice forward in a way thats not light, softly floral from the hops, a jasmine note, elderflower, springy, lightly soapy maybe, it stays on the palate past the swallow. this isnt unpleasant and its a fuller flavored version, its technically fine but i wanted a little more from this, or maybe thats a little less, still, im stoked on what these guys are up to and all the innovation has been a lot of fun. this one is a few tweaks away still...

Draft at Diablo & Sons. Very pale golden pour, lasting cap of creamy white head. Faint, biscuity aroma. Taste is crackers, biscuit malts with a touch of bitterness appearing late.