Newstead used to have an Aussie lager in their lineup. Then a Euro lager. Now a Japanese lager. I’ll be taking bets as to what country’s lager they bring in next. Mexican? American? Luxembourgian?
Whichever it is, I hope they don’t move to it too quickly, because their Japanese Lager is quite the enjoyable drop. With 30 percent rice in the grain bill, it’s super pale with a light body and fluffy effervescence. The aroma carries a little citrus sorbet alongside a touch of apple and pear cider. The citrus is coming from the Wai-iti hops, but don’t ask me where the cider notes are coming from. The rice? The yeast esters? The hops? Is it bad if I say I don’t care?
One thing I do know is that there’s no sweetness coming with those flavours. This beer is dry as a bone. In fact, if your bones are ever this dry, don't bother calling an ambulance. You've been dead for several years at this point.
Mick Wüst
Published September 7, 2023 2023-09-07 00:00:00
