Ol' Beautiful Okami Kasu Japanese Ale - 30 Litre Keg

Okami Kasu is a unique and innovative Japanese-style ale from Calgary’s Ol' Beautiful Brewing Co., located in the historic Inglewood district. This beer is a standout in the Alberta craft scene due to its unconventional ingredient: Sake Kasu. This is the rice "lees" or sediment left over from the sake brewing process (specifically sourced from the local Milton-Freewater sake producer). It is designed to be an incredibly clean, "high-definition" lager-like ale that pushes the boundaries of traditional brewing by incorporating Japanese fermentation heritage.

Beer Description

Okami Kasu pours a pale, brilliant straw color with a slight, natural haze and a tight, sparkling white head.

Aroma: The nose is delicate, floral, and highly distinct. It leads with a scent of steamed jasmine rice and sweet melon, followed by a unique, slightly creamy aroma reminiscent of vanilla and light almond—which comes from the sake rice. There is virtually no hop aroma, allowing the subtle fermentation characters to shine.

Palate: On the tongue, it is light-bodied with a crisp, refreshing carbonation. It leads with a gentle, silky sweetness from the rice, followed by a clean, slightly "umami" complexity and a touch of pear. The finish is remarkably dry and "snappy," with a mineral-like cleanliness that mimics a high-quality dry sake.

Profile: It sits at a very sessionable 5.0% ABV and a low bitterness of approx. 10–12 IBU, emphasizing texture and subtle flavor over hop intensity.

Technical Notes: The "secret" to this beer is the addition of Sake Kasu during the brewing process. The kasu contains residual yeast and enzymes that contribute to the beer's unique mouthfeel and dry finish. It is brewed with a combination of pilsner malt and rice, then fermented at cooler temperatures with a neutral ale yeast to ensure the delicate rice and melon notes are not overshadowed by fruity esters.