All Beer Styles

Japanese Rice Lager

Lagers & PilsnersBJCP 1C

Difficulty: Advanced

Ultra-clean Japanese-style rice lager — delicate with subtle rice sweetness

A very pale, dry, highly attenuated Japanese-style pale lager using rice as the primary adjunct. Super clean, refined, and elegant — the gold standard for ultra-crisp Asian lagers.

4.5-5.5%
ABV
15-25
IBU
4-8
EBC
2.5-2.8
CO₂ vol
1.04-1.05
Original Gravity (OG)
1.004-1.01
Final Gravity (FG)

How to Brew a Japanese Rice Lager

Typical Malts

  • Pale Ale malt
  • Rice

Typical Hops

  • Saaz
  • Hallertau Mittelfrüh
  • Tettnanger

Yeast

Lager yeast (e.g. W-34/70, S-23)

Style Requirements

Cold Ferment

Typical Flavors

clean
delicate
rice
subtle
refined
elegant
dry

Commercial Examples

Asahi Super Dry
Sapporo Premium
Kirin Ichiban
Suntory The Premium Malt's

FAQ about Japanese Rice Lager

What is a Japanese Rice Lager?

A very pale, dry, highly attenuated Japanese-style pale lager using rice as the primary adjunct. Super clean, refined, and elegant — the gold standard for ultra-crisp Asian lagers.

How much alcohol does a Japanese Rice Lager have?

A Japanese Rice Lager typically has 4.5–5.5% ABV. Original gravity ranges from 1.04–1.05, final gravity from 1.004–1.01.

How bitter is a Japanese Rice Lager?

A Japanese Rice Lager has 15–25 IBU (International Bitterness Units). This is moderate bitterness.

What ingredients do you need for a Japanese Rice Lager?

Typical malts: Pale Ale malt, Rice. Typical hops: Saaz, Hallertau Mittelfrüh, Tettnanger. Yeast: Lager yeast (e.g. W-34/70, S-23).

Do you need special equipment for a Japanese Rice Lager?

Yes, a Japanese Rice Lager is a lager and requires fermentation at 8–12°C (46–54°F). You'll need a fermentation fridge or cool cellar.

Brew a Japanese Rice Lager?

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