Beer of the Week: Dusk in Kyoto

Though Andy Sist and Kyle Pool already run a wide-ranging enterprise, the Miramar facility manufacturing craft ales and lagers from Embolden Beer Co. as well as alternative liquids (hard seltzers, kombucha and sparkling teas) from New Motion Beverages, they haven’t stopped there. Since opening in 2020, they’ve worked with like-minded business owners to further broaden their portfolio, most notably William Sutjiadi, the owner of Matcha Cafe Maiko. Together, the trio have put on events that celebrate the culinary culture of Japan while offering collaboratively conceived beers infused with traditional, top-quality Japanese ingredients. Those forays have been so successful that, last year, the entrepreneurial trio opened a satellite venue in North Park called the Rising Sun Collective, affording all parties greater exposure in a densely populated, high-traffic area of San Diego. Along with that project came the launch of a new line of brews dubbed Shōgun by Embolden. That family of Japanese-inspired beers includes a matcha-infused IPA (which was a longtime hit at the aforementioned collab events), a yuzu-spiked blonde ale and this week’s featured beer: Dusk in Kyoto. A rice lager flavored with a roasted variety of ceremonial-grade matcha called hojicha, it is slightly sweet with a touch of toast and a bright earthiness; the type of beer that’s meant to be easy-drinking and refreshing but has enough depth of flavor to also be contemplated. It’s an impressive introduction to a line of beers that goes well beyond using rice as an adjunct in celebrating the Land of the Rising Sun.

Dusk in Kyoto is a Japanese rice lager, with Pilsner malt and a touch of roasted barley for color and light malt flavor. We also use ceremonial hojicha provided by our friends at Matcha Cafe Maiko, which is the highest quality that can be imported from Japan. The final product is mellow, toasty and nutty, has a hint of chocolate, and is very light and refreshing. My favorite thing about the beer is how unique it is in the industry. It’s fun seeing how some of these flavors come together in a beer that feels familiar while being something new.”

Zach Donald, Director of Brewing Operations, Embolden Beer Co.

Embolden Beer Co. is headquartered at 8655 Production Avenue in Miramar and is part of the Rising Sun Collective at 3914 30th Street in North Park