Cho'Sen

Working with local restaurateur John Cho of Cho Sushi, we have developed a beer designed to pair with sushi – we call it Cho’Sen. The challenge here is to create a light colored beer that prepares the palate for the next, delicate piece of sushi while having a flavor profile that stands on its own. The Light Hybrid Ale is a category that includes such beers as the cream ale, blonde ale or Kolsch. Cho’Sen would likely be considered a hybrid, but does not fit within the designs of any specific style within that category.

We researched the various beverages often paired with sushi (i.e. sake, wine, Japanese beers) and then used our own sensibilities of design to create a beer that stands on its own in style. Classic American 2-row brewers malt forms the base and flaked rice is added to produce a dry beer with a higher alcohol content. The rice addition also helps to counter the maltiness of a typical all-malt grain bill. Additionally, the rice in the beer forms a union with the rice bed of the sushi. Soft bitters from select hops are used to mimic the cleansing bitterness of ginger, which is used to clean the palate along with the higher alcohol content. Finally classic pilsner Saaz hops lends a floral essence. Show Less