Just a few weeks ago, I was able to bring you the exciting news of Japas Cervejaria. If you’re not familiar, this all-female, Brazilian-Japanese Brewery is located in São Paulo, Brazil and it was founded by Maíra Kimura, Yumi Shimada, and Fernanda Ueno. I’m excited to say that the three are currently on a United State promotional trip, and as part of that promotion, I was lucky enough to get to try not one, not two, not even three…but SEVEN different beers from Japas Cervejaria.
I can say before I even open the cans that the packaging looks great, and the flavors and ingredients are unique. As Japas Cervejaria puts it, “Every Japas beer tells a story - from an American Pale Ale with wasabi delicately added during the maturation of the beer, a refreshing sour with an addition of Yuzu, and notably, Kasato Maru, an IPA that honors the ship arriving in Brazil in 1908 that would launch future generations of immigrants, such as the families of Kimura, Shimada and Ueno; Kasato Maru features dekopon, a tangerine of Japanese origin that also arrived as an “immigrant” to brazil.”
You’ll also find as I progress with the sampling that the beers and recipes are very tuned into food and beer pairing. I should also mention that Japas beer is in ten markets in the United States, including California, Florida, Massachusetts, Maine, Rhode Island, Michigan, New York, Oregon, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin…and Japas will also be in South Carolina and Texas very soon.
Naturally I’m excited to try them all, so off we go…
Japas Cervejaria Gojaira
ABV: 6.9%
Style: New England IPA
Packaging: 16oz cans
Appearance: Hazy bright orange
Aroma: Citrus, tropical fruits, mango and earthy hops
Mouthfeel: Medium
Taste: Juicy citrus & sticky sweet
Overall: Gojaira feels and drinks a little on the dank side with some earthy hops (Strata, Columbus, Simcoe, Citra and Mosaic) as well as some bitter citrus and sweet sticky mango. Overall a unique IPA that leans into the fruit-forward side of NEIPAs.
Japas Cervejaria Yuzu Nama Biiru
ABV: 4.9%
Style: Rice Lager
Packaging: 16oz cans
Appearance: Bright clear straw
Aroma: Biscuit and straw
Mouthfeel: Light
Taste: Biscuit malt, toasted malt and acidic citrus
Overall: Yuzu Nama Biiru is a great gateway beverage for someone used to a mainstream lager. The addition of Yuzu changes the flavor quite a bit (in a good way) and overall this beer is dry, crisp refreshing and really drinkable.
Japas Cervejaria Oishii
ABV: 4.7%
Style: Witbier
Packaging: 16oz cans
Appearance: Yellow golden
Aroma: Ginger, spices and orange peel
Mouthfeel: Medium-light
Taste: Very ginger-forward with coriander and bitter orange peel
Overall: Oishii has some really unique spicy and ginger flavors that blend nicely with the sharp orange peel that comes in late in the sip. Overall, if you love ginger, you will love this wheat beer.
Japas Cervejaria Kasato Maru
ABV: 6.5%
Style: New England IPA
Packaging: 16oz cans
Appearance: Hazy golden
Aroma: Apricot, peach, citrus & oranges
Mouthfeel: Medium
Taste: Juicy and fruity flavors that include fresh peaches, ripe melon, tangerines, oranges & citrusy hops
Overall: Kasato Maru has a nice mix of tropical fruits and a strong presence of Mandarin orange. The overall balance and drinkability make this and interesting and hoppy IPA that I know you’ll love.
Japas Cervejaria Sawā Yuzu
ABV: 4.7%
Style: Berliner-style Weisse
Packaging: 16oz cans
Appearance: Hazy golden
Aroma: Yuzu, citrus and tropical fruit
Mouthfeel: Medium-light
Taste: Tart Yuzu, lemons and acidic citrus
Overall: Sawā Yuzu has a really interesting combination of citrus flavors and as a Berliner, I promise you it needs no syrup additions. Overall this is a really drinkable sour wheat ale with a great combination of unique citrus flavors.
Japas Cervejaria Neko IPA
ABV: 5.7%
Style: American IPA
Packaging: 16oz cans
Appearance: Hazy golden orange
Aroma: Grapefruit, citrus and mild resinous pine
Mouthfeel: Medium
Taste: Slightly sweet grapefruit and citrus with a mild malty balance
Overall: Neko IPA has that really wonderful mix of hops I call “cat-pee.” This is a good thing and overall this beer feels and drinks like a classic old-school American IPA that leans just a bit to the malty side of an English-style IPA.
Japas Cervejaria Matsu Rika
ABV: 5%
Style: Czech Pilsner
Packaging: 16oz cans
Appearance: Deep yellow orange
Aroma: Floral, malty and a touch of citrus
Mouthfeel: Medium
Taste: Floral hops, bready malt and delicate spices
Overall: Matsu Rika has a lot going on, and while I’m not sure I found the Jasmine (I’m not sure I’d know it if I did), the beer is interestingly drinkable and complex. Overall the flavors lean a bit more hoppy than I was expecting and the light floral finish balanced everything out nicely..
All of the Japas Cervejaria beers are available now in 16oz cans in the U.S. markets listed above, so get out there are try one for yourself. Better yet, get down to Japas Cervejaria in São Paulo, Brazil and enjoy them at the source. And when you do try them, be sure to let us know what YOU think.
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