Crafting the Perfect Beer for Asian Cuisine!

The development of IWAI CILANTRO ALE began with the idea: “We want to create a beer that pairs perfectly with spicy Thai food and herb-filled Vietnamese dishes!” Our journey started by searching for ingredients commonly used in Asian cuisine that would also complement the brewing process. The key ingredients we landed on were jasmine rice and a unique blend of three spices and herbs.

Jasmine Rice: A Signature Ingredient
Jasmine rice, cultivated in the highlands of Thailand, is known for its sweet and toasty aroma. Often paired with green curry and other Thai dishes, it introduces a sake-like ginjo-ka fragrance to the beer, creating a distinctive balance of sweetness and dryness.

Aromatic Complexity with Three Signature Herbs & Spices
To further enhance the beer’s character, we infused it with three aromatic ingredients that are staples in Asian cuisine:

① Cilantro (Coriander)
An essential herb in Thai cooking, cilantro has a bold, fresh green aroma. It has a dedicated fan base—often called “Pakchists”—who love its unique fragrance. We use dried cilantro leaves during the brewing process.

② Kaffir Lime Leaves (Bai Makrut)
These aromatic citrus leaves, commonly used in tom yum soup and other Southeast Asian dishes, bring a vibrant, zesty aroma to the beer.

③ Clove
Clove, a spice often found in sangria and chai, imparts a rich, sweet vanilla-like aroma with a hint of spiciness and mild bitterness.

By incorporating these three ingredients during the brewing process, we have crafted a beer with a spicy, citrusy, and slightly sweet profile, balanced by the crisp finish of jasmine rice. The result is a refreshingly light beer that pairs beautifully with Asian cuisine!

A New Beer Experience with Asian Food Pairings!
IWAI CILANTRO ALE is now available on draft at four Asian restaurants in Tokyo and Yokohama. It pairs exceptionally well with classic dishes like green curry and gapao rice, as well as herb-rich Vietnamese bánh xèo (savory pancakes) and Thai-style roasted chicken gai yang. For the best experience, enjoy this beer alongside dishes packed with spices and cilantro!

Where to Enjoy IWAI CILANTRO ALE:
GINGER GRASS (Shinjuku, Tokyo) – http://gingergrass.jp
DADAI (Shibuya, Tokyo) – http://dadai.jp
Madam Mỹ (Ginza, Tokyo) – http://madammy.jp
BETELNUT (Yokohama) – http://betelnut.jp