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Samurai

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Jasmine rice gives this Japanese lager a slightly floral aroma and an effervescent, crisp, easy-going drink. Sorachi Ace and Saaz provide the hops, Danish lager yeast does the fermenting, and the result lands at 5.0% ABV and 20 IBU. Samurai is a classic Great Divide brand that came back, brewed year-round.

ABV
5%
Bitterness
Lightly bitter20 IBU
Herbal, floral bitterness
SRM
pale gold4
PaceSession
Where this beer sits
Body
lightfull-bodied
Sweetness
drysweet
Bitterness
mildbitter
Texture
crispcreamy
Balance
malt-forwardhop-forward
What makes this beer itself
floralcleanmalty
floral
clean
malty
Aroma
Delicate jasmine floral notes lead the nose, complemented by the herbal, slightly spicy character of Sorachi Ace and the refined earthiness of Saaz hops.
not found:hoppy,caramel,fruity,smoky

Tasting Notes

AI-generated sensory profile for Samurai

◎ Appearance

Pale golden hue with excellent clarity and bright transparency. A fine, white head forms readily and maintains modest lacing down the glass. High carbonation is evident from the steady stream of bubbles rising through the body.

pale goldencrystal clearfine white headhighly carbonated

◌ Aroma

Delicate jasmine floral notes lead the nose, complemented by the herbal, slightly spicy character of Sorachi Ace and the refined earthiness of Saaz hops. Clean lager fermentation from the Danish yeast contributes a bright, neutral backdrop that allows the adjunct and noble hops to shine without obstruction.

jasmine floralherbal and spicynoble hop eleganceclean fermentation

◐ Taste

The palate opens crisp and refreshing, with subtle jasmine rice sweetness providing a light malty foundation. Sorachi Ace and Saaz deliver restrained bitterness and herbal notes that remain balanced throughout the mid-palate. The finish is clean and dry, with no lingering heaviness, leaving the mouth fresh and ready for the next sip.

crisp entrylight malt sweetnessherbal bitternessdry finish

◑ Finish

Short to medium finish with excellent drinkability. The aftertaste remains clean and neutral, fading quickly without any astringent or cloying notes.

short finishclean aftertastehighly drinkable
78
hopIQ score
Aroma
80
Taste
77
Appearance
80
Finish
75
Serve at 4–7°C

Serve at 4–7°C for the best flavour balance and aroma expression.

Stein

The sturdy German stein maintains temperature and keeps carbonation intact. Built for long, convivial drinking.

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Food Pairing

What to eat with Samurai

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About Japanese Lager

Style guide · what to expect · how to find alternatives

What is a Japanese Lager?

Japanese Lager is a distinctive beer style with its own characteristic flavour, aroma and colour. Discover what makes it unique and find similar beers on hopIQ.

Finding a similar Japanese Lager

hopIQ matches by flavor profile — not just style label. A beer with the same crisp, floral, smooth-drinking character as Samurai will score highly even if brewed in a different country or under a different sub-style name.

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