The Confluence Brewing Company is in Des Moines, Iowa. Shijiazhuang is a Chinese sister city to Des Moines, and the 30th anniversary of this relationship inspired this 4.5% ABV lager. From the website: "This take on a traditional Chinese lager is brewed in celebration of our 30th anniversary of relations with our Sister City, Shijiazhuang in the Hebei Province of China. Built around 600 A.D., the Anji bridge or Ānjì Qiáo, featured on this bottle, translates to “Safe crossing bridge” and is the oldest open-spandrel stone bridge in the world. We find beauty in the symbolism of this bridge standing strong through the years much like Des Moines’ relationship with Shijiazhuang. We used Pilsner malt and flaked rice with Saaz and Rakau hops to make this crisp, dry and refreshing lager."
The beer pours a clear golden and
yellow. There is over an inch of white, foamy head that settles down
to a ragged quarter inch. The aroma is grain, straw, a bit floral,
with a nice kick of German lager-funk. The taste follows the aromas,
hitting the same notes, nice balance of grain, straw, and earthy
funky-skunky, with a grassy and fairly bitter finish. The beer drinks
very easy and refreshing, tingling carbonation. This is about as good
as they come for lagers, it is absolutely delicious and refreshing!
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