Sansho Showdown

◎ Appearance

A pale golden hue with excellent clarity and a fine, persistent white head that clings to the glass with delicate lacing. The carbonation is bright and lively, evident in the steady stream of small bubbles rising through the liquid. Light catches the beer cleanly, revealing its refreshing, inviting character.

◌ Aroma

The nose leads with bright citrus notes—lime zest and lemon peel—layered beneath delicate floral and herbal aromatics from the lemon verbena. Motueka and Hallertau Mittelfrüh hops contribute a subtle, refined complexity without aggression. Beneath these botanicals lies a gentle farmhouse yeast character, dry and clean, with just a whisper of pepper spice from the Japanese sansho.

◐ Taste

Entry is crisp and dry, with immediate citrus definition from the lime and lemon character. The mid-palate builds gently—the sansho pepper emerges as a subtle tingle that lengthens with each sip, adding dimension without heat. A clean, measured bitterness (28 IBU) provides structure and balance, allowing the herbal and citrus layers to remain prominent and distinct.

◑ Finish

The finish is clean and refreshing, with the bitter edge fading gracefully to leave a lingering citrus whisper and a gentle peppery warmth. The aftertaste remains dry and crisp, inviting another sip.