LA Beer and Japanese Ingredients
- Jason Hargrove
- Sep 22
- 2 min read
The Los Angeles craft beer scene has always been a hub of innovation, but a new wave of inspiration is taking hold by way of Japanese cuisine. Local brewers have been moving beyond using only traditional hops and malts for years, but experimenting with unique Japanese ingredients is a tip of the hat to the city’s diverse culinary landscape, where brewers are finding inspiration in the pronounced flavors of yuzu, matcha, and oolong tea, among others. These ingredients allow brewers to add layers of complexity to their beers, as a way to help connect their beer to Asia’s food-rich culture.
Yuzu: Given its bright and citrusy nature, yuzu is a natural fit for lighter, crisper beers. Yuzu offers a unique blend of tartness and sweetness, with notes of grapefruit, mandarin orange, and a floral aroma that sets it apart from more common citrus additions such as lemon or lime. You'll find it in saisons, where its tartness and floral notes complement the spicy and fruity yeast characteristics of the style. Yuzu is also used in rice lagers to add a zesty and refreshing quality, and some brewers also use it to create a citrus-forward twist on pale ales and IPAs.
Matcha: A finely ground powder of green tea leaves, matcha brings a complex character to a beer with earthy, grassy, and slightly bitter notes, along with a vibrant green hue. Its earthy and light bitter notes make it an intriguing addition to beers that can stand up to its flavor. It's often found in gose-style beers, where its subtle bitterness and tea-like qualities can balance the beer's acidity.
Ikasu Brewing + Nova Brewing
If you find yourself out and about, breweries like Ikasu Brewing in downtown LA and Nova Brewing Co. in Covina are creating imaginative must-try beers. Ikasu’s Matcha Tart Gose and Yuzuko Saison showcase their namesake ingredients, and Nova Brewing Co specializes in beers brewed with sake yeast, which can lend a banana-like fruitiness and a crisp finish to a beer’s character. You can find ingredients like oolong tea and yellow peaches in Nova’s beers, too.
The next time you're exploring the LA craft beer scene, keep an eye out for these unique Japanese ingredient-inspired beers. They offer a delicious example of how the city's diverse cultures are shaping its ever-evolving beer landscape.
You can use Brwtxt to find one of our many partner breweries' offerings, like Burning Bridge’s Sho Time Japanese Rice Lager, and have it delivered right to your door by replying to our weekly text offerings! Notes of sweet jasmine rice help to balance out the clean and dry finish of this easy drinker. Follow us @brwtxt and find your next favorite beer!
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