GROUNDTAP BREWERY Taps “OSANBAI,” a Rice Lager Inspired by the God of the Rice Fields
GROUNDTAP BREWERY in Saijo City, Ehime Prefecture introduced its rice lager “OSANBAI,” themed around Osanbai, the god of the rice fields. At 3.5% ABV, it is a light, easy-drinking beer that makes use of rice, naked barley, and spring water, and it also works well as a food-pairing beer.
Hop BroGROUNDTAP BREWERY in Ehime Prefecture's Saijo City has released a new beer that's really interesting. It's called OSANBAI, and it's themed around the god of the rice fields, Osanbai.
MugiWhat, a god of the rice fields turned into beer!? That sounds so blessed I almost want to put my hands together before drinking it!
Hop BroAnd the contents are great too. It's a Style: Rice Lager with an ABV of 3.5%. It's a very light design that makes use of rice, naked barley, and spring water.
MugiNaked barley? What even is that! It's barley, but bare barley sounds like it suddenly stripped down out of nowhere!
Hop BroIt's not actually naked. It refers to barley whose husk comes off easily. That makes it easier to bring out the gentle savoriness of the grain, and it pairs well with the crisp character of a lager.
MugiSo that's what it means. And the post says it's easygoing and smooth to drink, so this is the dangerous kind you can just keep gulping!
Hop BroExactly. Careful mashing gives it both simple lightness and the fullness that comes from the grains. It's the kind of beer that's less about bold aroma and more about a slow, steady deliciousness.
MugiI love that slow-burn deliciousness! But if it's not flashy, that means it's perfect as a food-pairing beer, right? The kind that quietly shows its strength beside your meal sounds super reliable!
Hop BroThat's right. It should go well with lightly seasoned Japanese dishes, salty snacks, and fried foods, and its appeal comes out little by little. It also feels very approachable as a guest beer.
MugiAnd it's tied to local folklore too, which is great! When I hear a beer carrying the memory of the region, I want to taste the story along with the drink!
Hop BroAt the end of the day, I just want to slowly drink a glass of spring water, rice, and beer. Let's wish Osanbai for a bountiful harvest and raise a toast with OSANBAI tonight.
MugiYeah, I want to drink it too! A toast to the god of the rice fields somehow feels like it can only taste amazing!
The brewery GROUNDTAP BREWERY in Saijo City, Ehime Prefecture introduced its new beer, “OSANBAI,” on Instagram. The post centers on Osanbai, the rice-field deity that was once familiar in the Shikoku region. The naming draws on traditions such as “Osanbai Oroshi,” a prayer for a bountiful harvest before rice planting, and customs expressing gratitude after transplanting, layering local memory onto the beer.
OSANBAI is designed as a Style: Rice Lager with an ABV of 3.5%. It features rice and naked barley, along with a light finish that makes full use of the spring water. The post explains that careful mashing creates a balance between “an easygoing, simple lightness that goes down smoothly” and the rich savoriness that comes from the grains.
Rather than relying on flashy bitterness or strong aroma, this appears to be a rice lager whose appeal grows gradually alongside a meal. It seems well suited to lightly seasoned Japanese dishes, salty snacks, and fried foods, and it has a presence that makes it approachable whether you are ordering a drink at the brewery or picking up a guest beer.
As a brewery in Iyo-Saijo, GROUNDTAP BREWERY continues to make beer that makes use of local water and ingredients. This OSANBAI is a bottle that naturally connects regional folklore with craft beer, and it is the kind of beer that makes you want to drink it after learning the story behind the place.
Information may be inaccurate. Please refer to the venue’s official channels for the latest details.
Hop BroGROUNDTAP BREWERY in Ehime Prefecture's Saijo City has released a new beer that's really interesting. It's called OSANBAI, and it's themed around the god of the rice fields, Osanbai.
MugiWhat, a god of the rice fields turned into beer!? That sounds so blessed I almost want to put my hands together before drinking it!
Hop BroAnd the contents are great too. It's a Style: Rice Lager with an ABV of 3.5%. It's a very light design that makes use of rice, naked barley, and spring water.
MugiNaked barley? What even is that! It's barley, but bare barley sounds like it suddenly stripped down out of nowhere!
Hop BroIt's not actually naked. It refers to barley whose husk comes off easily. That makes it easier to bring out the gentle savoriness of the grain, and it pairs well with the crisp character of a lager.
MugiSo that's what it means. And the post says it's easygoing and smooth to drink, so this is the dangerous kind you can just keep gulping!
Hop BroExactly. Careful mashing gives it both simple lightness and the fullness that comes from the grains. It's the kind of beer that's less about bold aroma and more about a slow, steady deliciousness.
MugiI love that slow-burn deliciousness! But if it's not flashy, that means it's perfect as a food-pairing beer, right? The kind that quietly shows its strength beside your meal sounds super reliable!
Hop BroThat's right. It should go well with lightly seasoned Japanese dishes, salty snacks, and fried foods, and its appeal comes out little by little. It also feels very approachable as a guest beer.
MugiAnd it's tied to local folklore too, which is great! When I hear a beer carrying the memory of the region, I want to taste the story along with the drink!
Hop BroAt the end of the day, I just want to slowly drink a glass of spring water, rice, and beer. Let's wish Osanbai for a bountiful harvest and raise a toast with OSANBAI tonight.
MugiYeah, I want to drink it too! A toast to the god of the rice fields somehow feels like it can only taste amazing!
