Beer is Good – Yebisu Kaorihanayagu (Joel Robuchon)

I can forgive Yebisu from teaming up with a Frenchman instead of a German for a collaboration beer, since this is so wonderful. I didn’t really read the full version that carefully on their website, but using French barley from the Champagne region and premium New Zealand hops from the wine producing Nelson region, Yebisu with brewmaster Joel Robuchon aimed to produce a “champagne of beers”. The heavier carbonation definitely evokes champagne, but if you didn’t know all the backstory, all you would think is that this is a rich, full-flavored beer with a bitter bent. The decoction is strong, so the medium-dark malt color and flavor definitely comes through. The hops are more on the bittering side, but there is still a hint of flowery. There is nothing defining whether this is an ale or lager, but I’d venture a guess that it’s a lager.

5% ABV

4 out of 4 koku monkeys

Highly recommended