Episode 38 is here, and this time we're heading to Charlotte, North Carolina to crack open BIRU, a rice lager from Heist Brewing.

If you've listened to the show for any length of time, you already know rice lagers are one of my favorite styles. In this episode, I dive deep into what makes the style so appealing, how modern brewers are putting their own spin on it, and why I think Japanese-style rice lagers may be becoming important enough to deserve their own BJCP category someday.

Along the way, I discuss brewing rice lagers at home, the evolution of ingredients used in the style, recent judging experiences from a major homebrew competition, and whether Heist's take on the style delivers the crisp, clean character I was hoping for.

Did this beer live up to my expectations? Not exactly. But it sparked a great conversation about where rice lagers are today and where they may be headed in the future.

Pour yourself something cold and join me for another episode of Matt Likes Beer!