noun
low-malt beer; happōshu
A Japanese category of beer-like beverages with lower malt content than regular beer, taxed differently. Often translated as 'low-malt beer' or left as 'happōshu'.
発泡酒はビールより安いことが多い。
Happōshu is often cheaper than beer.
noun
sparkling wine; sparkling liquor
A less common, broader use referring to any sparkling alcoholic beverage, including sparkling wine. The primary meaning is the low-malt beer category.
この発泡酒はフルーティーな味わいだ。
This sparkling wine has a fruity flavor.
Another low-tax beer-like drink, often made without malt; 発泡酒 still contains some malt.
Compound of 発泡 (happō, 'foaming, sparkling') and 酒 (shu, 'alcoholic beverage'). The term was coined for the tax category of low-malt beers.