Stillwater Extra Dry Chu-Hi: Review by @Robyn_Seto
Extra Dry Chu-Hi is a saison with red grapefruit from Stillwater Artisanal. They produce a beer called Extra Dry that is brewed with rice to mimic flavors found in sake, a Japanese rice wine. Extra Dry Chu-Hi is a similar beer, produced to mimic the flavor of a popular Japanese alcoholic drink that is often sold in cans. A Chu-Hi is a cocktail of shochu, a Japanese style of liquor, citrus, and carbonated water. Much like the regular Extra Dry is brewed with rice to mimic sake, Extra Dry Chu-Hi is brewed with malted barley, which is commonly used in the production of shochu. A typical can of shochu in Japan is about 6% ABV, and, hilariously, this beer is actually less alcoholic than an actual can of shochu at only 4.2% ABV.
A saison (say-zahn) is a style of beer originating from Belgium; sometimes called a farmhouse ale because Belgium farmers in Wallonia would brew them during the winter months. The name originates from the French word for “season”, signifying that this beer was brewed in the winter to be enjoyed in the summer. They tend to be between 5% and 8% ABV and typically offer a fruity, lightly sweet, effervescent flavor with a dry finish.
Combining the style of saison with the concept of a Chu-Hi cocktail is brilliant once you stop to think about their similarities: bubbly, fruity, alcoholic, dry. I find myself very much enjoying the entire experience of each sip. The grapefruit is very subtle and not overwhelming at all. There is a touch of sweetness to brighten the fruit flavors, and the hop flavor coats the tongue in subtle bitterness as the beer dries everything into a nice cohesive sip. It’s a very refreshing beer, and I can imagine that it would go quite nicely with some greasy food. Would definitely grab a four pack if I ever see these in the wild again.
5/5 burps
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