Beer : Background
Kankiku Hazy Rice Saison, or to give it its full name of Kankiku Hazy Rice Saison Inasaku Chuushin, is a 4% saison from Kankiku Brewery, based in Kujukuri, Chiba. It’s part of their canned and draught lineup, though its availability is unknown at the time of writing. It was originally brewed in November 2024, and is brewed using imported New Zealand Nelson Sauvin and also Nectaron hops. Finally, as the name suggests, Kankiku Hazy Rice Saison uses locally grown rice in the making of it.
At A Glance
- ABV : 4%
- Style : Saison
- Hops : Nectaron and Nelson Sauvin
- Adjuncts : Rice
- IBU : –
Sale Information
- Availability : Limited
- On Sale : From November 2024
- Size : 330 ml
Kankiku Hazy Rice Saison : Appearance, Aroma, and Taste
Kankiku Hazy Rice Saison poured out a vibrant golden yellow colour with a thick white head on top that left some thick rings down the side of the glass during drinking. There was a subtle haze to the beer, so at least that part of the name hits right.
The aroma though was a mixture – some potent peach notes from the yeast used in the making of the saison, and a touch of light white grape just residing underneath it. The yeasty notes were nice, but not overpowering; however, I couldn’t really get much of the rice in the nose. It was more of a cross between a hazy IPA and some funky saison really. That’s not a bad thing at all.
The body didn’t have the bitterness associated with IPAs, but it was very dry – and that’s where the rice aspect comes in. The peachy notes from the yeast, along with the hoppy flavours from the hops confounded me. What am I actually supposed to be drinking? A saison beer with hop notes, or a hazy pale ale with some saison funk? Either way, the lightness of the body meant this one didn’t last long in the glass, yet the yeast notes remained on the palate for longer.
Kankiku Hazy Rice Saison : The Bottom Line
I’m confused about this one – on one hand, I really liked it, on the other, I’m confused about what it’s supposed to be.
Kankiku Hazy Rice Saison : Where to Buy
It can be bought online at the following places:
