Yamabiko
New Hokkaido Beverage Company

I love a good Japanese Rice Lager and when I came across this at the Food Roundup in West Yellowstone, Montana, I knew that I had to give it a go. Indeed, it was worthy of its lofty rating on here as this was immensely enjoyable, and well crafted - down to the fitting label!

Golden and clear in hue, there was enough offsetting head to this although the lacing left behind was quite sparse as only a few spotty suds remained. Lots of floral and honey notes in the nose with a bit of fall fruit underneath that. A far amount of lemon could be found in the taste, back by a bit of rice and grain as this was balanced, soft, and had just enough subtle flavor to draw me in and hold my attention to the end. Vanilla sweetness came through as this warmed up and stuck around until the back, as everything melded nicely together as the carbonation was subdued enough to stay in the background.

Dated 9/14 with "JPL 114" written above it and "HENRY 14" written below it, this was a gem of a beer that easily warranted a second go-around. I wish more brewers would give this a go, as these are wonderful when done right. Props to New Hokkaido for winning me over here!

 

 

Served on tap in a pint glass
Appearance- The beer is served a light straw color with a small white head. The head fades fast leaving touch of lace on the sides of the glass.
Smell - The smell is very light with some rice, grain, and touch of caramel.
Taste - The taste starts with a light rice and caramel flavor mixed with notes of grain and hay. As the taste advances the caramel fades a bit with a touch of grass and hay joining in towards the end.
Mouthfeel - The body is light and crisp with a light carbonation.
Overall - A decent rice lager, but for the most part nothing to special.

Clean, golden color. Big white head. Malt, hay, and some fruits in the aroma. Malty, clean, and refreshing. A good lager. Something that would actually go well with sushi.

 

I really liked this one. Very light straw color. Big floral notes and some vanilla as well and even some oak. It’s really light and I feel like I could have a bunch of this.

This beer pours a clear golden color with a small head that goes away quickly. Aroma is slightly sweet, wet grass and malt. Very light in body and low bitterness. Taste is low in flavor with an odd note of something or other. Interesting beer, not bad, just very light. Kind of like 'Bud Light' but better. 13 IBUs Rated 1-23-2025

 

Crystal clear pale golden body with a full finger of eggshell white foam, frothy bubble foam lacing. Smells of lemongrass, rice, flowers, and a whisper of grain. Tastes of big lemon, yuzu, and a hint of grapefruit up front, then rice and malt bridge the dull flowers finish. Feel is light and bright, clean with rice and malt being a great backbone

Poured from 16oz can into a dimpled mug. Canned 6/11/24.

Appearance: light straw hue with the tiniest dash of haze and a good effervescence. Color is appropriate, but there’s practically no head, and what is there dissipates very quickly.

Smell: lightly sweet malt with a bit of graininess and an interesting fruity quality. Kind of odd, but not at all bad.

Taste: kind of fruity, like in the aroma — a super mild rosé wine is what’s coming to mind — along with a sweetish graininess. I don’t think I would have guessed rice right off the bat, though it does have some of that almost-“plasticy” adjunct taste that I often associate with rice.

Mouthfeel: light body with a light carbonation and okay creaminess.

Overall: this beer is certainly easy to drink! I don’t think I’d count this beer as one of my favorites, but it’s certainly interesting, and I’m glad I tried it.

Appearance: Pours a clear light golden color with a one finger head that fades away while leaving splashy lacing

Smell: Cracker malt, rice, lemongrass and green tea aromatics

Taste: Cracker malt and rice flavors forward with the lemongrass and green tea emerging; a tingly, citrus zest bitterness is a surprising arrival, in the middle; the finish has an odd Sake aspect along with a lager twang

Mouthfeel: Light to medium body with moderate carbonation

Overall: I have had a couple of Japanese Rice Lagers before but I really cannot remember them; I can't say it is a style I would actively seek out

Thanks, muchloveforhops3, for the opportunity

09/30/24 can @ home

 

Pours a light gold color without much head but very bubbly. Aroma of grasses and floral notes. Taste is tangy with zero bitterness. Very easy drinking.

 

Taster at Brown Beard. Pale yellow pour, barely there head. Aroma is sweet, malty, biscuity. Taste is light and sweet, light oily feel. Light vegetal notes

Canned 10/18/23

L: Clear pale gold body with lively carbonation. Thin blanket of white bubbles coats the top.

S: Malt, lemon, rice, floral hops

T: Follows the nose. I’m not picking up on the complexities others have noted, still good though.

F: Bright, crisp, effervescent.

O: More Japanese Rice Lagers please!

Canned 10/18/23. “Go Rangers” stamped on the bottom of the can

I’ve never had anything from New Hokkaido. Hell, I’d never even heard of them until I saw this one on Tavour. It’s always cool seeing Japanese Rice Lagers getting attention, and this one seems to be pretty highly regarded. Let’s crack it open and find out what it’s all about

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

The nose is quite as bright as I’d like, but it’s still pretty damn good. I’m picking up on aromas of frackery malt, cooked rice, orange zest, lemon zest, grass, and light floral hops

Oh wow, it has much more of a punch in taste but still remains gentle. On the front end of the sip I’m tasting cooked rice, green tea, jasmine, lemon zest, grass, bready malt, peppery hops, and light honey. The swallow brings notes of lemon zest, white rice, jasmine, white tea, peppery hops, light grass, and bready malt

A medium body pairs with gentle carbonation, resulting in a slick beer. Finishes a tad sticky but dries out over time

This one is definitely worth a shot if you can get it