Hakosuka
North Park Beer Company

Bright clear golden brew with minimal pure white foam in the chalice. Spritzy enough on the tongue with a light body. Faint cereal aroma. Bright and lively with a "subtle" flavor of something in the grain department. I wouldn't say that it had any hop flavor, but a lemony tang gives it something. Quite gulpable, however, but it's not something I would reach for aside from the very slight novelty. From the 16 oz can purchased at the beer store. Date stamp on the label not making sense.

Type: 16-oz. can
Reviewed as: Japanese Rice Lager
Glass: Modern Times 16-oz. Willi Becher glass
Price: $21.99 for a mixed 4-pack
From: North Park Beer Company in North Park (San Diego), Calif.
Purchased: May 2, 2021
Consumed: May 22, 2021
Misc.: Canned on April 27, 2021

Snuck over to North Park to grab a mixed 4-pack of new releases from the past two weeks. They were out of one of the ones I wanted but I got some others. North Park’s website called it “Hakosuka Japanese style Lager (pronounced:"hako-ska") is brewed with Toasted Flaked Rice and hopped with zesty Czech Saaz hops to bring super crispy refreshing enjoyment to your palate! Ultra pale in appearance with subtle aromas of fresh bread and soft spice and a clean dry finish that pairs wonderfully with sushi or a sunny day in San Diego.” Still new to this style but I’m sure North Park will do it right.

Poured a clear straw color with two fingers of frothy-to-fizzy off-white head. Lots of fast-moving bubbles coming up from the bottom of the glass. Excellent watery foggy lacing. Decent retention. (Sight - 4.00)

Smelled grass, black pepper, salt, Saaz, dry Rice Krispies cereal, baked white bread, pear and a touch of apple. Each whiff was better than the previous one. (Smell - 4.00)

Tasted better than the nose. Got baked white bread, dry grass, salt, black pepper, spicy Saaz, dry Rice Krispies cereal, pear and hints of lemon zest. (Taste - 4.25)

Medium body. Oily texture. Lively carbonation. Clean, dry finish. (Feel - 4.50)

A really nice beer. Excellent in fact. Would like to have some more of this if the price works out. (Overall - 4.25)

4.20 | 94 | A-

 

 

this one looks beautiful, smells beautiful and, aside for a slight funky twang, tastes EXCELLENT! lots of nice carbonation... five percent lagers just never get high scores but in its class, this is an excellent lager and very well-produced.