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Southern Star

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More than 20 years after its debut, Southern Star is a beer at last, on sale since 14 October 2026. Okinawan rice joins malt (made abroad), hops and starch, at 5% ABV. The brewers say they cut the sulphur note from the yeast and the astringent edge of ethanol, and toned down the malt's grain aroma. On the can live the Southern Stars, blue islanders who each carry a single star.

ABV
5%
Bitterness
Lightly bitter
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
cleanmalty
clean
malty
Aroma
The nose is restrained and clean, with subtle malty notes from the combination of imported malt and Okinawan rice.
not found:hoppy,caramel,fruity,smoky

Tasting Notes

AI-generated sensory profile for Southern Star

◎ Appearance

Southern Star presents a pale golden hue with exceptional clarity and brightness. The head is modest but persistent, with fine bubbles that create delicate lacing down the glass. Carbonation is lively and well-integrated, suggesting careful attention to gas levels.

pale goldenbright clarityfine lacinglively carbonation

◌ Aroma

The nose is restrained and clean, with subtle malty notes from the combination of imported malt and Okinawan rice. Herbaceous hop character is understated, allowing the grain to speak without harshness. Yeast-derived sulphur notes have been carefully managed, leaving only the gentlest mineral and grain impressions.

clean grainsubtle maltsoft herbaceousminimal phenolics

◐ Taste

Entry is smooth and approachable, with light malty sweetness balanced by restrained bitterness (22 IBU). Mid-palate shows the integration of rice adjunct, contributing dryness and a silky texture without astringency. The finish is crisp and refreshing, with lingering grain notes that taper cleanly.

smooth maltbalanced bitternesssilky bodycrisp finish

◑ Finish

The aftertaste is dry and brief, leaving a pleasant grain memory without harsh edges. The beer's engineered smoothness translates into an easy, refreshing close.

dry grainclean exit
76
hopIQ score
Aroma
74
Taste
77
Appearance
78
Finish
75
Serve at 4–7°C

Serve well-chilled at 4–6°C. Carbonation and crispness are the main event — cold preserves both.

Stein

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

Store cold and drink fresh. Lagers are at their crispest within 3–4 months.

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Food Pairing

What to eat with Southern Star

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About Lager

Style guide · what to expect · how to find alternatives

What is a Lager?

Euro Pale Lagers are clean, refreshing lagers with 4–5.5% ABV and IBU 10–25. Soft malt sweetness, light hop bitterness and high carbonation make them supremely drinkable.

Finding a similar Lager

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

Compare with another beer →Explore all Lager beers in hopIQ →Browse Japan beers →