Me, You, Happoshu!
Pelican Brewing Company

Crisp clean and perfectly clear, there's a little swell of perfectly white foam that recedes to the corners of the glass and leaves some stray reminds of its journey as I drink.

Interesting aroma. Very sweet up front. I definitely get some honey... but not the fermented honey I am used to, it's like sweet fresh honey. This is laced with a good blush of floral bouquet... like clover flowers as a kid. This sweet floral impression grows as it warms.

The rice provides a very clean bed to build the rest, and it's much like the nose: sweet up front, but the honey, while still present, recedes to more of an augmentation, letting that floral/fruity character from the hops really come through. Again, clover flowers, but also with a bit of like star fruit on the edges. Crisp bite to the finish and then some earthy bitterness that's also kind of like... sickly sweet, but minorly, and without being sweet if that somehow makes sense.

Carbonation is hard and sharp and honestly a little more aggressive than I'm looking for out of this profile. Sharply acidic as well, somehow.

An interesting beer. I've never had a happoshu before, so I have no idea how true to style this is. I think it would have been better on a summer day, truth be told, but I can get down on it now.

really have been keen to try it since i first heard of it, you just dont see many of these around, especially from american brewers. its a low malt honey rice lager, really compelling stuff, uniquely flavored, surprisingly fuller bodied for what it is, satisfying and maybe a little less summery than anticipated. its golden from the tap with an average white head on it, a brassy shine and good clarity. it smells sweet and floral, more honey than anything else, but some lager yeast also present, a lightly earthy grain base, minerals and starches and something faintly metallic, all subtle but quite interesting. because of the lesser malt foundation and the minimal nature of the rice in here, which is only a little toasty to me, the honey really stands out, it must account for quite a bit of the fermentable sugar in here, as a ton of its character is retained. its like honey meets malt liquor. i dont taste much from the rice, but i do get the lager yeast, which is distinctive, not clean and invisible like the american lagers, not as bready and rustic as many of the european ones, but not all that compelling either, its not the ferment that makes this. i love the honey character, the slippery but round medium body, and the brightness this exudes. really fun recipe, nicely executed, i am secretly hoping happoshu comes into vogue in the states. this isnt perfect, but its real tasty...

On-draught @ Local Legion Portland:

$6/16 fl oz (no tax).

C+ / ABOVE AVERAGE

 

Had on tap. Only my second happoshu, so guess this makes this the best I have ever had, LOL. Clear bubbly yellow pour with a thin white cap. Orange, light cracker, honey, and a kiss of flowers in the nose. Taste has a sweet dough like flavor I can't quite place, honey and orange are potent with very light yeast tones accenting. Feel is light, dry, crisp, and effervescent. New world but it works

Clear bright yellow with plenty of foam in the tall goblet. Brewed with honey, orange zest, and Meridian hops, we are told. Less carbonated than typical light brews. Surprising flavor of honey, maybe a hint of citrus in the nose. Rather sweet after some sipping, though it's tangy enough for balance.

I suspect this is almost entirely unlike a Japanese Happoshu but it's certainly flavorful and almost rich for a light lager. Highly sippable and would be interesting to try again. Glad to find an uncommon style with a new interpretation. From the 500 ml bottle purchased at Elizabeth Station.

L: attractive glowing body and frothy head.
S: Dry and almost chalky. Soda crackers, rice, and a touch of sweetness.
T: Cracker malt upfront, wheat, floral hints, honey sweetness, and orange peel.
F: Very smooth. Moderate carbonation, moderately dry finish, very crisp.
O: Neat! No other context for this style, but compared to a standard lager it’s pretty good. Lots of subtle details in the body, but not enough to distract from a meal or make it any less refreshing. Speaking of that, the feel of this beer is fantastic. Full and crisp.

Bottle from Market of Choice.

A clear golden orange with a dense white head with good retention and lacing this looks great. The nose is really light with light toast, light honey, a clear puffed rice. The palate opens lightly sweet with creamed rice, a little honey, a delicate sweetness, and just a hint of hops. The honey and hops combine to make a mild citrus character. Drying, crisp, clean on the finish, though a little watery. There's something about the amount of toasted rice flavor here that doesn't work for me.

500 ml bottle bought from American Market in Salem OR.
$5.99
MY first of this style.
pours a clear sunflower oil golden body with a very attractive thick and creamy white head. Head stays for a long time.
Aroma is of edible rice paper, honey and cream. Very good.
Taste similar to the aroma with a semi sweet finish.
Great drinkable mouthfeel. very soft, yet carbonation is good..just flows across the palate like a silken stream
A really nice drink Would be great in cans in high summer.