CRAFT BANK presents 'EL CLASICO,' a sangria-inspired spiced saison from Fukuchiyama
Kyoto's CRAFT BANK has introduced 'EL CLASICO,' a collaboration beer created with Nishimurano, a Spanish bar near Fukuchiyama Station. The 7.0% rosé-colored spiced saison takes its cues from traditional sangria and marks the beer's second brew.
Hop BroThere’s a fun release from Fukuchiyama, Kyoto: a Craft Bank collab with the station-front Spanish bar Nishimurano. It’s called “EL CLASICO.”
MugiWhat! That name already sounds intense! EL CLASICO... so what kind of beer is it?
Hop BroThis is the good part: it’s a rose-colored saison. A spiced saison inspired by sangria, and this is actually the second time they’ve brewed it.
MugiWhoa! But the article says barley sangria and now I’m lost. Is this beer, wine, or a delicious identity crisis?
Hop BroStill definitely beer. They layer grape juice with star anise, cinnamon, clove, and orange peel to recreate that sangria vibe inside a beer.
MugiOkay, that sounds fancy fast. But you casually dropped saison yeast like I was supposed to nod wisely.
Hop BroSaison yeast adds peppery, spicy aroma and helps make the finish light and dry. So even at 7.0% ABV, it doesn’t feel too heavy.
MugiA 7.0% beer that drinks easy? With a rose look too? That contrast is doing a lot of work here!
Hop BroAnd chef Nishimura shaped it from the spice-forward sangria he knew in Spain, so it’s built to work with food. Perfect for Spanish dishes isn’t just marketing.
MugiNow I’m picturing paella and tapas already. Plus the brewery’s old-bank setting makes it feel like a beer with a story.
Hop BroExactly. Craft Bank’s whole approach to local culture and food pairing is packed into one glass with this collaboration.
MugiThat settles it. Rose color, spices, tapas on the side... I want this now.
Kyoto-based CRAFT BANK has introduced "EL CLASICO", a collaboration beer made with Chef Nishimura of the Spanish bar Nishimurano. The brewery operates from a former bank building in Fukuchiyama and began in 2020, giving the project a strong local identity rooted in place, food, and beer.
EL CLASICO is a rosé-colored Spiced Saison inspired by traditional Spanish sangria. Chef Nishimura, who studied cuisine in Spain, wanted to express the spiced sangria he had come to know there in beer form. This is the beer's second brew. The first version used a simpler blond ale base with grapes and spices, while this release shifts to saison yeast for a more layered aromatic profile.
The recipe combines grape juice with star anise, cinnamon, cloves, and orange peel, adding yeast-driven spice on top. At 7.0% ABV, it is somewhat stronger than a typical easy-drinking saison, yet the body is dry and the texture remains light. The result is a beer with a vivid rosé appearance, soft grape fruitiness, and a subtle citrus bitterness that opens up as you keep drinking.
CRAFT BANK notes that the beer works well not only with Spanish dishes, but also with a wide range of meals. That pairing focus fits the brewery's broader approach: building beer around a historic site in Fukuchiyama and around the everyday connections between drinking and dining.
- Style: Sangria de sevada
- ABV: 7.0%
- Ingredients: Malted barley, grape juice, orange peel, hops, star anise, cinnamon, cloves
- Hops: Nelson Sauvin, Hallertau Blanc
- Malts: Pilsner, Spelt malt
Reference: Original article / CRAFT BANK
Information may be inaccurate. Please refer to the brewery’s official channels for the latest details.
Hop BroThere’s a fun release from Fukuchiyama, Kyoto: a Craft Bank collab with the station-front Spanish bar Nishimurano. It’s called “EL CLASICO.”
MugiWhat! That name already sounds intense! EL CLASICO... so what kind of beer is it?
Hop BroThis is the good part: it’s a rose-colored saison. A spiced saison inspired by sangria, and this is actually the second time they’ve brewed it.
MugiWhoa! But the article says barley sangria and now I’m lost. Is this beer, wine, or a delicious identity crisis?
Hop BroStill definitely beer. They layer grape juice with star anise, cinnamon, clove, and orange peel to recreate that sangria vibe inside a beer.
MugiOkay, that sounds fancy fast. But you casually dropped saison yeast like I was supposed to nod wisely.
Hop BroSaison yeast adds peppery, spicy aroma and helps make the finish light and dry. So even at 7.0% ABV, it doesn’t feel too heavy.
MugiA 7.0% beer that drinks easy? With a rose look too? That contrast is doing a lot of work here!
Hop BroAnd chef Nishimura shaped it from the spice-forward sangria he knew in Spain, so it’s built to work with food. Perfect for Spanish dishes isn’t just marketing.
MugiNow I’m picturing paella and tapas already. Plus the brewery’s old-bank setting makes it feel like a beer with a story.
Hop BroExactly. Craft Bank’s whole approach to local culture and food pairing is packed into one glass with this collaboration.
MugiThat settles it. Rose color, spices, tapas on the side... I want this now.
