Calrose Crisp (2021 edition)

Nothing hits the spot quite like a classic pale lager! And brewing it with malted Calrose rice lets us put a unique, tasty spin on the original that’s naturally gluten free!

Malted rice gives this beer a crisp, clean sharpness and a refreshingly dry finish, with subtle notes of toasted rice and honey. A restrained dose of German hops rounds it out, creating an easy-drinking crusher that’s great on its own or when paired with food—from sushi to salad to shawarma.

A California variety with Japanese ancestors, Calrose is considered one of the world’s best sushi rices and is in high demand both in the US and Japan. As it happens, when Calrose is malted, it also makes great beer!

In designing this recipe, we wanted to brew a beer that really showcases the strengths of rice malt. Although people throughout Asia have been making rice beers for thousands of years, the idea of malting it in the European style is relatively new.

Thanks to the pioneering work of Eckert Malting, based in Chico, California, we now have access to high-quality malted rice that is entirely gluten free and offers a broad spectrum of delicious flavors. It’s a very versatile ingredient, and what better way to put it in the spotlight than with a classic, refreshing lager!