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Kanpai

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Kanpai is a Japanese rice lager brewed with rice for a light body and a clean, dry finish. Subtle floral notes and a soft grain character keep it crisp, with a focus on balance and refreshment. At 4.4% ABV it comes from Sun King in Indianapolis, the brewery that sent out its first kegs in July 2009 on equipment bought from a defunct Maine brewery.

ABV
4.4%
Bitterness
Lightly bitter
Herbal, floral bitterness
SRM
pale gold4
PaceSession
Where this beer sits
Body
lightfull-bodied
Sweetness
drysweet
Bitterness
mildbitter
Texture
crispcreamy
What makes this beer itself
MaltHop
cleanfloralmalty
clean
floral
malty
Aroma
The nose opens with soft floral notes that recall delicate white flowers and subtle herbal undertones.
not found:hoppy,caramel,fruity,smoky

Tasting Notes

AI-generated sensory profile for Kanpai

◎ Appearance

Kanpai presents a pale golden hue with excellent clarity and bright transparency. The head forms delicate and fine-grained, with moderate retention and distinct lacing along the glass. Carbonation appears lively and well-integrated, creating a steady stream of fine bubbles.

pale goldenbright clarityfine lacing

◌ Aroma

The nose opens with soft floral notes that recall delicate white flowers and subtle herbal undertones. A gentle grain character emerges beneath, showing the clean influence of rice adjunct without dominating. The overall impression is restrained and inviting, with no harsh or aggressive elements.

subtle floralsclean grainsoft herbaceous

◐ Taste

Palate entry is light and smooth, with a grain-forward character that remains crisp throughout. The rice adjunct contributes a clean, watery quality that emphasizes drinkability; malt sweetness plays a supporting role, staying understated. Bitterness is gentle and balanced, never intrusive, allowing the dry finish to emerge naturally.

light bodyclean palatebalanced bitterness

◑ Finish

The finish is notably dry and refreshing, with minimal residual sweetness. A brief aftertaste of soft grain lingers, complemented by a whisper of floral dryness that fades cleanly.

dry finishclean fadeout
78
hopIQ score
Aroma
77
Taste
78
Appearance
80
Finish
77
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 Kanpai

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About Rice Lager

Style guide · what to expect · how to find alternatives

What is a Rice Lager?

Rice 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 Rice Lager

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

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