Happoshu in the states

I remember reading on a thread that a couple of BAs found some at a sushi restaurant. I can’t remember what state they were in or how long ago they found it.

 

There are some American breweries in this list. https://www.beeradvocate.com/beer/styles/168/ That may be a starting point.

It seems like there is a previous thread about trying to drink a beer in every style, or maybe the conversation occurred in a thread in a recent revision of the BA styles list.

Also, it seems like @dcotom has mentioned that he found a beer in this style in a quest to drink every style. Maybe he can provide info if it was him.

 

True Happoshus are hard to find outside Japan. I'm heading there in a few days and I can grab you a couple of you want. I had tried several of them before I even started tracking styles (in previous trips out there) so it's a style that I didn't have to struggle to get. But I have never seen any in the US, even though Mitsuwa in NJ may have some like @dbrauneis had already mentioned. I go there regularly but have not paid attention.

 

I looked in several select places in NYC maybe 5-6 years ago and came up empty in each spot. I have a co-worker who's going to Japan with his family this summer and I've already made a few pleas and ploys to get him to bring me back one. I think this fella may follow through...

 

Thanks for posting this list. I'm surprised to see the Hokkaido fruited beers in that list. Untappd lists them as Fruit and Field beers, while BA lists them as Happoshu. The brewery lists them as both! I have access to several of their beers in my area. They are pretty tasty too (albeit a bit too sweet for my taste).

 

I'd tell you, but then I'd have to... never mind.

When I was on Style Quest (v.1), I happened across some Coedo Beniaka at Wieland's Market in Columbus, Ohio. It is the only happoshu I've ever seen, and that was the only time I've ever seen it there. Right place, right time, I guess. I should've bought them out, but that was long before I got into trading.

I won't make the same mistake again if the opportunity should arise. I'd gladly trade one for a Grodziskie these days.

 

That Coedo Beniaka really isn’t a Happoshu. Technically lambic is considered Happoshu in Japan.

A real Happoshu is a light lager “near beer” that uses adjuncts like corn and rice other than malted barley to pay lower taxes. I’ve had dozens of canned Happoshu in Japan, but I don’t think I’ve ever seen one in the US.

examples:

 

As @distantmantra said, it's a lower (i.e. cheaper) tax category in Japan. There are some US beers that would fall into this category if sold in Japan, but are not considered a Happoshu. My only examples of the style came from a trip to Japan.

FWIW, if you do go to Japan, Happoshus are easy to find. I bought mine at the Family Mart / Seven Eleven adjacent to my hotel.

 

Yep, the Japanese government taxes beer based on the malted barley percentage. It’s why a pint of craft beer can be 1,500 Yen at a bar over there and also why happoshu exists.

Sometimes happoshu (Which isn’t legally allowed to be called beer. You won’t find the katakana for beer anywhere on the label) is easier to find in a conbini than real beer.

 

So if this is true (from the BA notes on Beniaka):

then why wouldn't it be a Happoshu?

 

Like I said, lambic is also considered a Happoshu over there but you’d never see either of them categorized with all the Suntory/Kirin/Sapporo happoshu cans. If you’re really going at this to get a tick and see what the style is, then you need a cheap ass (like sub 200 yen a can) conbini happoshu because really that’s what you’re looking for.

The other issue is that Coedo used to refer to Beniaka as a lager and even says beer on the label. The new version calls it an Imperial Amber. This is not allowed if you’re making Happoshu according to Japanese law. Happoshu isn’t a lager, its not an Amber, it’s not an ale, it’s not beer.

https://japanbeertimes.com/2018/10/beer-styles-happoshu/

 

Sounds like a trip to Japan is due :-)

 

This is the best answer. Japan has a great craft beer scene.

 

I was there for a couple of days on my way home from Thailand, but that was long before I was a beer drinker and I was about out of money anyway.

 

Also, if you're ever traveling through Narita airport on a connection to somewhere else, the 7-11 in the International Terminal sells Asahi Clear cans which is, you guessed it, a Happoshu.

 

Nineteen years late and a hundred Yen short...

 

Found some when in PNW at japanese restaurants