Beer of the Week: Raidā

I’ve never been that into bike-riding. Less balanced and coordinated than I’d like to be, I struggle to stay upright on two legs at a reasonable speed. But I have to admit, I’ve been tempted to take up the two-wheeler pastime during visits to Carlsbad’s Rouleur Brewing. A business devoted to beer, bikes and (competitive and recreational) cycling culture, it’s headed by founding brewer Rawley Macias (AKA: @brews.in.spandex on Instagram…now that’s commitment). Many are the hundreds of miles he’s logged over his years of pedal-propelled exploits. As such, he knows exactly what cyclists are looking for after a lengthy trek. Yes, water…hydration is a virtue. But after that…beer! Refreshment is key after such an outpouring expenditure of energy, and with his tasting room serving as an endpoint for so many of his spandex-clad contemporaries, he keeps plenty of easy-drinking, low-alcohol options on tap. Those beers are perfectly suited as post-ride quaffs, not only because they are clean and crisp, but because they offer subtle yet poignant flavors that enhance the drinking experience and add to their finish-line flair. Take, for instance, this week’s featured beer, Raidā. This crushable 5% alcohol-by-volume Japanese-style lager is brewed with rice. That’s expected, but the addition of a hop varietal of Japanese descent, Sorachi Ace, introduces a subtle lemoniness that adds welcomed depth and perks up an already effervescent beer. One would be challenged to find something at the end of their bike route, but with around a half-dozen sub-6% beers typically on tap at Rouleur (including Belgian-style blonde ale, Domestique, which has medaled at the Great American Beer Festival (GABF) the past three years in a row), it could be fun to try.

Raidā (ライダー) translates to ‘rider’ in Japanese, capturing the spirit of Rouleur Brewing’s passion for both beer and bicycles. We’re enthusiasts who live and breathe cycling – building, cleaning and talking about bikes with our friends, and, most of all, riding them. Inspired by traditional Japanese lagers, we crafted Raidā about five years ago, just as lagers began to enjoy a revival in the craft-beer world. While Mexican and Bavarian lagers were already gaining popularity in San Diego, we sought to create something distinctively crisp, refreshing and uniquely hoppy. The base of Raidā combines Pilsner malt with brown rice, keeping the color beautifully light and lending a dry, clean finish. The brown rice also brings subtle earthy and toasty undertones that add depth to the malt character. Brewed with Japanese-origin hops, Raidā exudes a delightful aroma of lemon, lime and green tea, nodding to classic Japanese lagers. This light, crisp and easy-drinking beer pairs excellently with fish and poultry or is perfect on its own. Dare we say it might be the best Japanese-style lager brewed in San Diego County! Though I originally created this recipe, it’s been fine-tuned and perfected as a team effort with our head brewer, Ben Lawson, who joined us from The Lost Abbey. Ben and I have poured our passion into this beer, making it our ‘baby’. As a delicate beer that responds to meticulous adjustments, Raidā has evolved under our combined efforts. We’re proud of what we’ve created and are aiming to see it earn a World Beer Cup or GABF medal in the near future.”

Rawley Macias, Founding Brewer, Rouleur Brewing

Rouleur Brewing is located at 5840 El Camino Real in Carlsbad