Inkhorn Brewing, based in Mejiro, Toshima, Tokyo, has announced the release of Flockung, a new German Pilsner with an ABV of 5.0%. The beer uses Extra Pils malt, Magnum and Hallertau Mittelfrüh hops, and Wyeast 2124 yeast.

Hallertau Mittelfrüh is at the center of the beer’s aroma profile. According to the brewery, it begins with a soft, cool character reminiscent of mint, followed by delicate notes of citrus blossom and apple blossom. The result is a lightly fruity, noble-hop expression rather than an aggressively aromatic pilsner.

Inkhorn Brewing says it had not often used bittering hops, which are primarily selected to provide bitterness, since it began brewing. Recently, however, the brewery became more interested in the quality of bitterness in Pilsners and West Coast IPAs, leading it to begin using German Magnum. In Flockung, that hop provides a gradual, rounded bitterness that reinforces the beer’s pilsner character.

The beer is designed around balance and drinkability. Its simple construction allows the hop character to show through without dominating, making it suitable for pairing with food or enjoying as an easy everyday lager.

The name Flockung means “flocculation” in German. Unusually for one of Inkhorn Brewing’s lagers, the beer underwent some lagering before release because the yeast took longer than usual to flocculate. That process has also resulted in a lager that was relatively mature from the moment it became available.

With its restrained bitterness, cool herbal lift, and subtle floral notes, Flockung offers a focused look at the character of German hops through Inkhorn Brewing’s Tokyo perspective.