Saltfields Rice Lager is a flawlessly delightful beer. It’s crisp, clean, refreshing, and easy drinking is an understatement. This is one of those beers that’s almost impossible to stop drinking once you’ve cracked the first can.
I first spotted it at my local Whole Foods while looking for something new. The can artwork caught my attention, and once I saw it was a Japanese-inspired rice lager, I was sold. Most rice lagers I’ve tried have been excellent, and this one may be my favorite.
It was so good that I finished my first four-pack without taking the time to write a thoughtful review. I bought another four-pack, determined not to make the same mistake. Even then, I found myself writing these notes while finishing the last half of the last can.
The flavor is remarkably clean, with a subtle sweetness that gives way to an incredibly crisp finish. Brewed with rice and white koji, it has just enough character to distinguish it from a typical lager while remaining incredibly approachable. There’s virtually no bitterness to interrupt the experience—just a smooth, refreshing finish that keeps pulling you back for another sip.
While researching the brewery, I fell even more in love with the beer. Saltfields Brewing is Brooklyn’s first Japanese craft brewery, founded by husband-and-wife team Yuki and Yumi. After falling in love with Brooklyn’s craft beer community and learning the trade at local breweries, they set out to create a brewery that celebrates their Japanese heritage. Their Rice Lager is both a tribute to those roots and a fantastic introduction to what they’re capable of.
This is a beer I’ll be buying again and again. It’s one of the best rice lagers I’ve had, and if you’re a fan of crisp, refreshing beers with impeccable drinkability, Saltfields Rice Lager deserves a spot in your refrigerator.
Style: Japanese-Inspired Rice LagerABV: 4.7%IBUs: N/ASeasonal: Year-roundBrewer: Saltfields Brewing is Brooklyn’s first Japanese craft brewery, founded by husband-and-wife team Yuki and Yumi. Inspired by both Japanese brewing traditions and Brooklyn’s vibrant craft beer scene, the brewery blends ingredients like Calrose rice and white koji to create beers that honor their heritage while embracing New York craftsmanship.
- Style: Japanese-Inspired Rice Lager
- ABV: 4.7%
- IBUs: N/A
- Seasonal: Year-round
- Brewer: Saltfields Brewing is Brooklyn’s first Japanese craft brewery, founded by husband-and-wife team Yuki and Yumi. Inspired by both Japanese brewing traditions and Brooklyn’s vibrant craft beer scene, the brewery blends ingredients like Calrose rice and white koji to create beers that honor their heritage while embracing New York craftsmanship.
