Kyoto Brewing releases Mariko, a Belgian IPA that unites the character of four IPA styles
Kyoto Brewing, a craft brewery in Minami Ward, Kyoto City, released its seasonal Belgian IPA "Mariko" on March 3, 2026. The beer is designed to balance aroma and drinkability, with a wheat-forward body layered with tropical hop character from Riwaka and Talus, plus Belgian yeast esters and spice.
Hop BroKyoto Brewing released this seasonal "Mariko" Belgian IPA on March 3, 2026!
MugiWhoa, Mariko is such a cute name! But what makes a Belgian IPA different from a regular IPA?
Hop BroGreat question. It’s a style that layers the floral brightness of hops with the esters and spice character of Belgian yeast. Kyoto Brewing is right in its wheelhouse!
MugiEsters...? That sounds like a science lab smell word!
Hop BroIt sounds complicated, but basically it’s a fruity aroma compound made by yeast. It’s the thing that adds banana-like or pear-like notes and gives the aroma more depth!
MugiOhh! So it’s an aroma-packed kind of beer!
Hop BroAnd this time they increased the amount of Riwaka and Talus hops, plus added T45 Riwaka pellets. They’ve boosted the orange, pineapple, mango, and citrus candy notes.
MugiWhat is that, a robot model number?
Hop BroHaha, pretty close. It’s a pellet made from concentrated hop lupulin, so it delivers aroma efficiently. The body is soft because it’s wheat-led, but it finishes dry and sits at 5.5% ABV, so it’s easy to keep drinking.
MugiThat sounds amazing! Pair it with garlic butter razor clams, potato salad with island scallions, or chicken thighs with chimichurri, and you could keep going forever!
Hop BroExactly! And it was 690 yen including tax online too, so tonight is officially a Mariko tropical citrus festival.
MugiDecided! I want to drink it right now, no, I’m drinking it! Chill the glasses and gather up!
Kyoto Brewing announced "Mariko" as a new release, describing it as a Belgian IPA in its "Mariko family" series. In the product description, it is positioned as a beer that aims to "take the best of four IPA styles," crossing style elements while still maintaining a balance that makes it easy to keep drinking in everyday settings.
What's inside the beer
According to public information, the style is Belgian IPA and the ABV is 5.5%. The ingredients are malt, wheat flakes, and hops. With a malt bill centered on wheat, it is designed to create a soft, rounded mouthfeel while finishing dry.
The hops are once again Riwaka and Talus, but this time in larger amounts. In addition, the use of T45 Riwaka pellets is said to intensify the tropical citrus impression, evoking orange, pineapple, mango, and citrus candy. Layered on top of that are fruity esters and spice character from Belgian yeast, which gives the aroma more depth.
Food pairing
The official pairing suggestions are garlic butter-grilled razor clams with herbs, potato salad with shiogaki island scallions and yogurt, and roasted chicken thighs with chimichurri sauce. These combinations bring together herbs, acidity, and herbaceous nuances with Mariko's hop aroma and yeast-derived character.
Kyoto Brewing's background
Based in Minami Ward, Kyoto City, Kyoto Brewing has built its lineup around the interplay of Belgian yeast and modern hops. Since its founding in spring 2015, it has added seasonal and limited-edition series alongside its core offerings, and in recent years it has also continued investing in equipment and updating its brewing methods. Mariko is likely the latest example of the company's strength in combining "Belgian-derived fermentation character" and "contemporary hop expression" in a relatively light-alcohol format.
In the related products section of the online store, the listed price is 690 yen including tax (as of March 2026).
- Reference: https://kyotobrewing.com/blogs/kbc-blog/mariko
- Reference: https://kyotobrewing.com/pages/history-of-kbc
- Reference: http://kyotobrewing.com/
Information may be inaccurate. Please refer to the brewery’s official channels for the latest details.
Hop BroKyoto Brewing released this seasonal "Mariko" Belgian IPA on March 3, 2026!
MugiWhoa, Mariko is such a cute name! But what makes a Belgian IPA different from a regular IPA?
Hop BroGreat question. It’s a style that layers the floral brightness of hops with the esters and spice character of Belgian yeast. Kyoto Brewing is right in its wheelhouse!
MugiEsters...? That sounds like a science lab smell word!
Hop BroIt sounds complicated, but basically it’s a fruity aroma compound made by yeast. It’s the thing that adds banana-like or pear-like notes and gives the aroma more depth!
MugiOhh! So it’s an aroma-packed kind of beer!
Hop BroAnd this time they increased the amount of Riwaka and Talus hops, plus added T45 Riwaka pellets. They’ve boosted the orange, pineapple, mango, and citrus candy notes.
MugiWhat is that, a robot model number?
Hop BroHaha, pretty close. It’s a pellet made from concentrated hop lupulin, so it delivers aroma efficiently. The body is soft because it’s wheat-led, but it finishes dry and sits at 5.5% ABV, so it’s easy to keep drinking.
MugiThat sounds amazing! Pair it with garlic butter razor clams, potato salad with island scallions, or chicken thighs with chimichurri, and you could keep going forever!
Hop BroExactly! And it was 690 yen including tax online too, so tonight is officially a Mariko tropical citrus festival.
MugiDecided! I want to drink it right now, no, I’m drinking it! Chill the glasses and gather up!
