Japanese Beer: Wheat-Based Brew Or Rice-Based Concoction?

Wheat beer is a style of beer that is instantly recognisable by its bright hue and soft, milky white glow. It is brewed with wheat, which brings out its characteristic fruity aromas. Wheat beer is also known for its refreshing taste and smooth mouthfeel. While wheat beer is not exclusive to Japan, the country does have its own unique wheat beer offerings. For example, the Hitachino Nest White Ale is a Belgian White Ale that is brewed with wheat and has a tart, subtle taste and refreshing herbal aroma. Another example is the Lost in Japan Wheat Beer, a whimsical white ale that is easy to drink and pairs well with Japanese dishes.

Japanese beer is often wheat-based or rice-based

Wheat beers are known for their bright, milky-white colour and characteristic fruity aromas. They are brewed with yeasts selected for their ability to bring out sweet and fruity notes from the wheat. Wheat beers are often unfiltered, giving them a hazy appearance and resulting in sediment at the bottom of the bottle.

Belgian Witbiers, also known as "white beers", are brewed with a combination of unmalted wheat and malted barley. They are usually very pale in colour, with complex, tart flavours of coriander, orange peel, and nutmeg. The addition of orange juice can also lend a fresh fruitiness to this style of beer.

German Hefeweizens, on the other hand, are brewed with malted wheat and have a soft, subtle character. They typically feature a semi-soft palate, low bitterness, and a clean, crisp finish.

Rice beers, on the other hand, are often made in the lager style. Lagers are known for their light body, crisp finish, and dry, easy-drinking quality. While rice is a common ingredient in Japanese lagers, it is rarely the only grain used. Other grains such as malted barley, corn, and starch are also typically added during the brewing process.

Some well-known examples of Japanese wheat beers include Hitachino Nest Weizen and Baird Beer's Wheat King Wit. Popular rice lagers include Asahi Super Dry, Sapporo Premium, and Kirin Light.

Wheat beers have a characteristic fruity aroma

Wheat beers, including Japanese wheat beers, have a characteristic fruity aroma. This is due to the use of wheat malt, which can give off a bready or doughy aroma, as well as the presence of hops, which can contribute citrusy, floral, or fruity qualities. The fermentation process can also affect the fruitiness of wheat beers, with low fruity esters being typical.

The fruitiness of wheat beers can also be enhanced by the addition of fruit or fruit extracts. This is a common practice in the United States, where many brewpubs and microbreweries offer fruit beers, often as summer seasonals. Some popular American fruit beers include Sam Adams Cherry Wheat, Pete's Strawberry Blonde, and Leinenkugel's Berry Weiss.

In Japan, wheat beers are not as common as rice lagers, but they can still be found. One example is the Kawaba Snow Weizen, which is an unfiltered wheat beer with banana and citrus notes. This beer is softer and more subtle than other wheat beers, which is characteristic of Japanese beers.

The fruitiness of wheat beers is not just limited to the aroma but can also be tasted in the finished product. The characteristic "tang" of wheat blends with the fruit flavor, creating a unique and refreshing taste profile. This makes wheat beers an excellent base for fruit beers, as the flavors of the beer and fruit co-exist harmoniously.

Overall, wheat beers, including Japanese wheat beers, have a characteristic fruity aroma and taste due to the use of wheat malt and hops, as well as the fermentation process. This fruitiness can be enhanced by the addition of fruit or fruit extracts, resulting in a unique and refreshing beer style.

Wheat beers are smooth and mildly bitter

The smooth and mildly bitter character of wheat beers is not limited to the Hefeweizen style, however. Wheat beers more broadly are known for their smooth and refreshing character, with a pure and white foam, and a rich vitamin content. Wheat beers are also known for their aromatic hops, which add complexity to the beer.

The low bitterness of wheat beers makes them an excellent choice for those who find other beers too bitter or harsh. For example, the Hitachino Nest White Ale from Japan is a wheat beer that has been described as "pretty, smooth, and delicious". It has low hop bitterness and a soft texture, with a dry, tart finish. The addition of spices such as coriander and nutmeg, as well as orange peel and orange juice, lend a fresh fruitiness to this style of beer.

Wheat beers are typically top-fermented and brewed with a large proportion of wheat relative to the amount of malted barley. The two main varieties are German Weizenbier and Belgian Witbier, but other types include Lambic (made with wild yeast), Berliner Weisse (a cloudy, sour beer), and Gose (a sour and salty beer).

Wheat beers are often unfiltered

Unfiltered wheat beers have a long history, with the first unfiltered wheat beer being brewed in 1990. This style of beer has stood the test of time and remains a popular craft beer choice. The natural citrus flavour and lively, refreshing taste of unfiltered wheat beer make it an easy-drinking option, which may explain its enduring popularity.

In Japan, wheat beers are just one of many styles of beer now being produced by the country's craft breweries. While Japanese beer was once synonymous with rice beer, there has been an explosion of different styles, including IPAs, wheat beers, and Belgian-style beers. This growth in diversity means that, alongside well-known Japanese beer brands, there are now countless interesting craft beers to explore.

One of the characteristics that set Japanese wheat beers apart from the pack is the use of high-quality ingredients and precise craftsmanship. This attention to detail results in beers with complex flavour profiles, such as the coriander, orange peel, and nutmeg notes found in the Hitachino Nest White Ale, a Japanese take on the Belgian witbier.

Japanese beer is influenced by German styles

Japanese beer is heavily influenced by German brewers, ingredients, and styles. The country's beer industry was particularly influenced by Germany during its formative decades.

One of the oldest breweries in Japan, Kirin, was founded by two Americans in 1885. However, in 1907, Hisaya Iwasaki, president of Mitsubishi Goshi, and Eiichi Shibusawa bought the company and renamed it Kirin Brewery Company. From the beginning, German brewing engineers, using German ingredients, brewed the so-called "German-style lager" at Kirin. Thus, the German art of brewing has been an important part of the company from the beginning.

In the early 20th century, many foreigners lived in the area where Kirin was founded, including Germans. Kirin has always had a close relationship with German brewing culture. The company has, for decades, sent its brewing engineers to the Technical University of Munich or the Technical University of Berlin. Kirin also exports many raw materials from Germany, including malt or hops from Hallertau near Munich.

In addition, Sapporo, Japan's first beer brand, was modelled after Germany when it was founded. Sapporo Black, for example, is a Japanese dark lager that was inspired by the German Schwarzbier style.

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