.jpg/jcr:content/renditions/cq5dam.web.1280.1280.jpeg)
We round up seven of the best, from the original trailblazers to newer Aussie spins.
Some cultures value power and mouth-punching flavour when it comes to their cuisine. Japan, though, is traditionally a land of balance, freshness and subtlety – and the same can be said for their national beer style, which makes it extremely delicious.
See, the Japanese flagship beer is the lager – especially those light-bodied, dry and very crisp styles like the rice lager, which use rice in place of malted barley. Rice or not, Japanese lagers tend to be extremely food-friendly, pairing equally well with the understated flavours of sushi and sashimi, the crispy crunch of tempura, and the fragrant Japanese style of curry – as well as just about any other dish you care to pair it with, from Japan or beyond.
We’ve already gone into detail about Japanese rice lagers but, this time, we thought we’d take a closer look at some of the best Japanese lagers in general, so here are seven of our latest favourites.
Click image to shop
1. Asahi Super Dry
Asahi is one of Japan’s most famous beers and is about the truest example of a Japanese lager you’ll find. When Super Dry launched back in 1987, Asahi unwittingly declared the start of the ‘dry wars’, which saw Japanese breweries try to outdo each other with drier, crisper, more refreshing lagers. Asahi Super Dry is still king of the mountain, though.
It’s not called Super Dry for nothing, and this lager uses both rice and a special yeast to keep sweetness down and crispness up. As a mild and lightly bitter beer, we’re fans of pairing Asahi with Japanese izakaya classics, like yakitori (chargrilled chicken skewers), salty edamame and sashimi – especially when it’s fatty tuna. If you can grab some mates and order to go, we reckon that’s a recipe for a perfect Friday night in.
2. Sapporo Premium Lager
The city of Sapporo is the capital of Japan’s northern island, Hokkaido, which has a reputation for chilly winters with dramatic snowfalls. Sapporo, the beer, isn’t quite as dramatic, but it’s certainly just as well-suited to the cold as its home city. Like Asahi, Sapporo is a classic Japanese lager, though it tends to be a touch maltier and more full-bodied. It’s still extremely crisp and clean tasting, though.
With just a touch more malt richness, we like to put Sapporo into the same occasions as those famous subcontinental lagers – alongside something spicy and aromatic. We’d be waiting until a Hokkaido-style cold night, then pairing Sapporo with a hot Indian curry with all the sides, and someone special.
Click image to shop
Click image to shop
3. Monsuta Okinawa Dark
If you’ve never had a dark lager before, you could be excused for thinking they’re rich, roasty and bitter like stouts and porters. And while they do have elements of those roasted coffee flavours, dark lagers like Monsuta Okinawa Dark are actually surprisingly light and clean.
Here, you’re getting a light sweetness, gentle roastiness and a few caramel coffee notes, all in a light-bodied and crisp package. That makes Monsuta Okinawan Dark a different beast compared with other Japanese lagers, and we reckon that’s a great thing – especially if you want a softer alternative to those richer traditional dark beers. We reckon this is the perfect choice for a picnic with your pals – just pair it with your favourite charcuterie and cheese.
4. 4 Pines Japanese Lager
If you didn’t get the hint already, the Japanese rice lager trend is making a big impression on our local beer scene. One of the best Aussie examples is from Manly legends 4 Pines, who bring us a beer that leans into the feather-light lager trend – probably because it suits those sunny Sydney days so well.
This one is a little hazy, but the flavour is clean as a whistle, just as you’d expect from a rice lager. Considering this was made by an Aussie brewery, we think you’re best matching 4 Pines Japanese Lager with a piece of fried fish, some crispy chips and maybe a few dim sims on the side. Consider that your post beach-walk treat.
Click image to shop
Click image to shop
5. Brick Lane Zero Carb Japanese Lager
Sometimes the most forward-thinking beers are about what’s left out, rather than added in. Here, Melbourne brewery Brick Lane has engineered the sort of high-tech lager worthy of Japan, creating a crisp and clean beer that somehow contains zero carbs and just 87 calories. They call this beer Hi-Fi Dry and we reckon they’ve mastered high-fidelity brewing here.
Zero carbs aside, we love Hi-Fi Dry because it still keeps the subtle bitterness and feather-light herbal flavour of the best lagers. This is an ideal backyard barbecue beer with mates, and we’d be putting a few cans alongside some marinated lamb chops and a simple salad.
6. Two Bays Brewing Co. Gluten Free Japanese Lager
Mornington Peninsula brewery Two Bays has nearly single-handedly taken gluten-free beer from fringe curiosity to the crafty mainstream. The gifted team seems to be able to take any style – pales, IPAs, roasty stouts and more – and get rid of the gluten while keeping all of the flavour. It shouldn’t be a shock, then, that the Two Bays Japanese Lager ticks all the same boxes.
You know what you’re getting: a light, crisp rice lager that’s pretty darn dry and has just enough bitterness to make it a winner with food. Like, say, creamy chicken gluten-free pasta. Make it a date night and you’re in the good books.
Click image to shop
Click image to shop
7. Yebisu Premium
The new wave of Japanese beers is making a splash around the world, but we’ve got plenty of room for the old guard, too – like this brew from Yebisu, which has been around since 1890. Unlike plenty of the pilsner-style Japanese beers around, this one emulates those maltier German-style lagers, making it slightly richer and fuller-bodied than you might expect.
There’s no rice in Yebisu, just 100% malt, making it the ideal pairing for flavoursome food. We reckon a classic cheeseburger and fries in front of the TV sounds just about perfect.
