Asian Beauty Biwa Lager

• Alcohol Content (by volume): 4.0%
• Starting Gravity (degree plato): 9.0
• Finishing Gravity (degree plato): 2.0
• Bitterness Units (IBU): 10
• Color (SRM): 3

• Water: Soft, Cleanly Flavorful, Local
• Malted Grain: Floor-malted Maris Otter, Vienna, Munich
• Un-malted Grain: None
• Sugar: Japanese Korizato (Rock Candy)
• Hops: Whole Flower Cones – Various Varieties
• Yeast: House Lager Strain
• Other: Local Biwa (Loquat) Fruit

‘Asian beauty’ is difficult to define, but one knows it when one sees it. Long, silky black hair, supple skin, and a delicately nuanced sort of femininity are attributes featured in our depiction. The kanji characters on the label (美人- bijin) literally mean ‘beautiful person’ and the word is used when describing a beautiful woman.

Biwa is “the small, yellow, edible, plum-like fruit of the loquat tree.” We had no idea what it was until our partner-friend-carpenter-farmer, Nagakura-san, brought some in several years ago for us to taste and then brew with. It’s an extremely subtle fruit that harmonizes sweetness with tartness. Asian Beauty Biwa Lager is coyly fruity, spritely effervescent and delicately firm — like a true Asian beauty!

We add the fruit, nuts and all, in three separate additions – two during the hot-side wort production phase and one on the cold-side, post primary fermentation. This year, so as to enhance the overall delicacy of the beer and to further accent the subtle biwa fruit character, we elected to ferment with our house Lager yeast strain. I am pleased with the results. Asian Beauty will remain a Lager henceforth.

“There is a natural, simple, wholesome character to Asian Beauty Biwa Lager that is quietly compelling. It’s not an assertive beer, yet it commands your attention. Our minimalist approach to brewing really shines in this beer.”