Koshihikari Echigo Beer | Uehara Shuzou Co. Ltd. / Echigo Beer Pub
Brewed by:
Uehara Shuzou Co. Ltd. / Echigo Beer Pub
Japan
echigo-beer.jp
Style: Japanese Rice Lager
Alcohol by volume (ABV): 5.00%
Availability: Year-round
Notes / Commercial Description:
Koshihikari Echigo Beer is a rice lager beer that uses a super-premium short grain rice called Koshihikari. Produced in the ideal rice growing region of Niigata Prefecture, Koshihikari is known to be the best quality rice in Japan. The flavor of this premium beer can only be made with this rice.
Added by donnebaby on 04-09-2004
HISTOGRAM
View: Beers | Place Reviews
Ratings: 206 | Reviews: 101
3.34/5 rDev -0.3%
look: 3 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 3.25
Pours a clear straw color. 1/4 inch head of a white color. Decent retention and slight lacing. Smells of slight wheat, slight rice, slight citrus hops, and pale malt. Fits the style of a Japanese Rice Lager. Mouth feel is smooth and clean, with an average carbonation level. There is an elevated dryness. Tastes of slight wheat, slight rice, slight citrus hops, hint of corn, and pale malt. Overall, decent appearance and feel, but weak aroma, body, and blend.
460 characters
look: 3 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 3.25
Pours a clear straw color. 1/4 inch head of a white color. Decent retention and slight lacing. Smells of slight wheat, slight rice, slight citrus hops, and pale malt. Fits the style of a Japanese Rice Lager. Mouth feel is smooth and clean, with an average carbonation level. There is an elevated dryness. Tastes of slight wheat, slight rice, slight citrus hops, hint of corn, and pale malt. Overall, decent appearance and feel, but weak aroma, body, and blend.
460 characters
2.31/5 rDev -31%
look: 2.5 | smell: 2 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2.25 | overall: 2.25
look: 2.5 | smell: 2 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2.25 | overall: 2.25
3.27/5 rDev -2.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.25
11.8oz can poured into 12oz tulip. Poured a clean, clear bright yellow color with just a thin cap of white head that almost instantly dissipated, and left no lacing.
The aroma had some light grain scent, and a bit of a yeasty tang. Same on the tongue, grain and yeast, with maybe a slight bit of floral hops. The body was light and crisp, with a semi-sweet finish. Drinkability was fine, for what the beer is.
Overall, a solid enough "Industrial Lager". Worth grabbing if you want a different lawnmower beer, or, like me, going for the style tick.
549 characters
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.25
11.8oz can poured into 12oz tulip. Poured a clean, clear bright yellow color with just a thin cap of white head that almost instantly dissipated, and left no lacing.
The aroma had some light grain scent, and a bit of a yeasty tang. Same on the tongue, grain and yeast, with maybe a slight bit of floral hops. The body was light and crisp, with a semi-sweet finish. Drinkability was fine, for what the beer is.
Overall, a solid enough "Industrial Lager". Worth grabbing if you want a different lawnmower beer, or, like me, going for the style tick.
549 characters
3.46/5 rDev +3.3%
look: 3 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75
Not being a rice eater (except with some Indian dishes that are too soupy for bread), I don't think about the quality of rice and rarely can taste the difference. But when rice is used as the base for beer, suddenly the taste of rice become important to me. And Koshihikari claims to use the best rice. And miracle of miracles... I can taste the difference in rice !
Bought at a high-end Japanese supermarket in Honolulu (which has a different importer than its 4 for the continent), my bottle of Koshihikari has a much prettier label than the can shown. (Mine probably is a late 19th century painting of peasants harvesting rice and more delicate characters than those emblazoned on the can.) Yet despite the packaging, I find its Looks are no big deal. The same goes for how it Smells, I get sweet malt but not lots. Tastes are better, richer than I expected; so I conclude it can only be from better rice... otherwise this would taste like an American adjunct. Right ? And unlike the Big Boys, Koshihikari ends with a nice after-taste and doesn't hide its brewing with too many bubbles.
If you are venturesome about rice done well, try this Echigo.
1,156 characters
look: 3 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75
Not being a rice eater (except with some Indian dishes that are too soupy for bread), I don't think about the quality of rice and rarely can taste the difference. But when rice is used as the base for beer, suddenly the taste of rice become important to me. And Koshihikari claims to use the best rice. And miracle of miracles... I can taste the difference in rice !
Bought at a high-end Japanese supermarket in Honolulu (which has a different importer than its 4 for the continent), my bottle of Koshihikari has a much prettier label than the can shown. (Mine probably is a late 19th century painting of peasants harvesting rice and more delicate characters than those emblazoned on the can.) Yet despite the packaging, I find its Looks are no big deal. The same goes for how it Smells, I get sweet malt but not lots. Tastes are better, richer than I expected; so I conclude it can only be from better rice... otherwise this would taste like an American adjunct. Right ? And unlike the Big Boys, Koshihikari ends with a nice after-taste and doesn't hide its brewing with too many bubbles.
If you are venturesome about rice done well, try this Echigo.
1,156 characters
3.75/5 rDev +11.9%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
2.69/5 rDev -19.7%
look: 2.75 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2.75 | feel: 2.75 | overall: 2.75
look: 2.75 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2.75 | feel: 2.75 | overall: 2.75
3.39/5 rDev +1.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5
3.25/5 rDev -3%
look: 3.25 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.25
look: 3.25 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.25
3.13/5 rDev -6.6%
look: 3.25 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.25
C+ / ABOVE AVERAGE
18 characters
look: 3.25 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.25
C+ / ABOVE AVERAGE
18 characters
3.35/5 rDev 0%
look: 3.25 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.25
Pours a clear straw with a quickly dissipating white head. Smells of malts and grains. Tastes of malt and non-bitter light earthy hops. Light bodied with high carbonation. Overall this is a good and refreshing light lager.
223 characters
look: 3.25 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.25
Pours a clear straw with a quickly dissipating white head. Smells of malts and grains. Tastes of malt and non-bitter light earthy hops. Light bodied with high carbonation. Overall this is a good and refreshing light lager.
223 characters
3.78/5 rDev +12.8%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
This beer pours a very light, clear golden color. The head is white, frothy, 1 finger. There's lots of carbonation bubbles rising in the glass.
The nose is lighter smelling, but there's a malty aroma to it, that's pleasing.
The taste comes off as sweet. it reminds me of a hefe, in a way.
The body isn't watery, it has a nice body to it.
Overall, delicious. Glad I got it.
374 characters
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
This beer pours a very light, clear golden color. The head is white, frothy, 1 finger. There's lots of carbonation bubbles rising in the glass.
The nose is lighter smelling, but there's a malty aroma to it, that's pleasing.
The taste comes off as sweet. it reminds me of a hefe, in a way.
The body isn't watery, it has a nice body to it.
Overall, delicious. Glad I got it.
374 characters
3.85/5 rDev +14.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 3.75
Poured from a half liter bottle into a tall, footed glass.
A: Clear, effervescent gold with a finger of tight head.
S: Funky wheat.
T/M: Crisp apples and pungent yeast. Clean. Appealing; one of the better rice lagers.
O: Enjoyable and mild.
244 characters
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 3.75
Poured from a half liter bottle into a tall, footed glass.
A: Clear, effervescent gold with a finger of tight head.
S: Funky wheat.
T/M: Crisp apples and pungent yeast. Clean. Appealing; one of the better rice lagers.
O: Enjoyable and mild.
244 characters
4.1/5 rDev +22.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
From a bottle at a Japaneses steak house.
Pale yellow, dry with little depth but the best rice beer I have tasted. So eating to style this beer gets an excellent rating.
171 characters
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
From a bottle at a Japaneses steak house.
Pale yellow, dry with little depth but the best rice beer I have tasted. So eating to style this beer gets an excellent rating.
171 characters
3.27/5 rDev -2.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.25
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.25
3.06/5 rDev -8.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3
It pours pale, white head. Very little aroma if any. It tastes like Budweiser. Not offensive, but certainly far from full flavored. There's a touch of rice, light bitterness, and that faint AAL flavor. It's light, light, light. This is not a beer that I'd seek out.
266 characters
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3
It pours pale, white head. Very little aroma if any. It tastes like Budweiser. Not offensive, but certainly far from full flavored. There's a touch of rice, light bitterness, and that faint AAL flavor. It's light, light, light. This is not a beer that I'd seek out.
266 characters
3/5 rDev -10.4%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3
Bottle shared at Pre-Borefts Ratebeer Tasting 2016. Pale yellow pour with a thin white head. Notes of cooked rie, pale malts, grains, light pilsner hops.
153 characters
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3
Bottle shared at Pre-Borefts Ratebeer Tasting 2016. Pale yellow pour with a thin white head. Notes of cooked rie, pale malts, grains, light pilsner hops.
153 characters
3.04/5 rDev -9.3%
look: 3.25 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3
look: 3.25 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3
3.63/5 rDev +8.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.5
From a 350 ml can in Osaka.
High clarity in the light amber body. Topped by a decent head.
Flavorful for style and with a distinctive aroma.
Mouthfeel: Light body but not watery. Good carbonation.
198 characters
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.5
From a 350 ml can in Osaka.
High clarity in the light amber body. Topped by a decent head.
Flavorful for style and with a distinctive aroma.
Mouthfeel: Light body but not watery. Good carbonation.
198 characters
2.72/5 rDev -18.8%
look: 2 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3
From Wasabi. In Bavaria glass. Watching Los Soprano 2x06-07. Very drinkable, with some sweetness. Better than typical industrial lagers and, of course, other japanese beers but nothing memorable either
201 characters
look: 2 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3
From Wasabi. In Bavaria glass. Watching Los Soprano 2x06-07. Very drinkable, with some sweetness. Better than typical industrial lagers and, of course, other japanese beers but nothing memorable either
201 characters
3.5/5 rDev +4.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
3.12/5 rDev -6.9%
look: 3.25 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3 | overall: 3
I've had this a couple of times and it is now my go to beer with sushi at Japanese restaurants. It has more flavor than the typical Japanese lager. That being said as this is the only rice beer I have ever tried I am comparing it to Japanese lagers. It pours a clear straw color with a thick, white head that leaves nice lacing. Smells of rice and malts. Tsate follows the smell with a nice hop balance. Smooth and crisp, well carbonated.
444 characters
look: 3.25 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3 | overall: 3
I've had this a couple of times and it is now my go to beer with sushi at Japanese restaurants. It has more flavor than the typical Japanese lager. That being said as this is the only rice beer I have ever tried I am comparing it to Japanese lagers. It pours a clear straw color with a thick, white head that leaves nice lacing. Smells of rice and malts. Tsate follows the smell with a nice hop balance. Smooth and crisp, well carbonated.
444 characters
3.18/5 rDev -5.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.25
It's been a while since I've had a rice lager, but this is decent. I was looking for a rice lager I hadn't tried before, this fit the bill. Not much to write about it, other than it taste like what you'd expect. Kind of a slight creaminess to the taste, no harsh "edges", slight hop bitterness on the back end. Probably would go well with sushi.
349 characters
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.25
It's been a while since I've had a rice lager, but this is decent. I was looking for a rice lager I hadn't tried before, this fit the bill. Not much to write about it, other than it taste like what you'd expect. Kind of a slight creaminess to the taste, no harsh "edges", slight hop bitterness on the back end. Probably would go well with sushi.
349 characters
Koshihikari Echigo Beer from Uehara Shuzou Co. Ltd. / Echigo Beer Pub
Beer rating:
3.35 out of
5 with
206 ratings
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