Shiga Kogen Beer Releases Tea for Two 2 with Taiwan’s TAIHU BREWING
Shiga Kogen Beer has announced “Tea for Two 2 / blonde 500ml can,” its second collaboration with Taiwan-based TAIHU BREWING. Built on the original Tea for Two, the beer combines premium Taiwanese high-mountain oolong tea with locally grown Kinmon Nishiki rice.
Hop BroShiga Kogen Beer in Nagano has released “Tea for Two 2,” a collaboration with Taiwan’s TAIHU BREWING.
MugiWhat? Tea in beer? And it’s a Taiwan brewery collaboration? I need to know more!
Hop BroIt builds on Shiga Kogen’s classic Tea for Two. This second edition uses high-mountain oolong and Kinmonnishiki rice.
MugiIs Kinmonnishiki a tea variety? That name sounds like a fancy kimono… a gold-glitter beer?
Hop BroClose! Kinmonnishiki is sake rice grown by Shiga Kogen Beer itself. It gives the beer a light, easy finish—no kimono in the fermenter.
MugiThank goodness, no fermented fabric! So what style of beer is it?
Hop BroIt’s a pale blonde ale. Ale means top fermentation, and this one aims for a crisp clean finish alongside fragrant tea notes.
MugiTop fermentation? Does the beer do ballet on top of the tank?
Hop BroNot quite! It means the yeast tends to gather near the top while fermenting. As it warms, the oolong character evolves too.
MugiIt sounds perfect with Taiwanese food or lighter dishes! It was sold out when the article ran, but if I find it, let’s toast immediately!
Shiga Kogen Beer, a brewery based in Yamanouchi, Nagano, has released “Tea for Two 2 / blonde 500ml can,” a collaboration with Taiwan’s TAIHU BREWING. The beer was listed through Tamamura-Honten’s online shop at ¥1,320 including tax, although it was marked sold out at the time of publication.
The beer is the second collaboration between the two breweries and takes the well-known “Tea for Two” as its starting point. This version uses premium Taiwanese high-mountain oolong tea together with Kinmon Nishiki, a sake rice variety grown by Shiga Kogen Beer itself. The combination brings together tea-driven aromatics, a gentle grain character and the clean profile associated with a blonde beer.
Although the same key ingredients were retained, the brewers aimed to create something distinct from the first collaboration. The result is presented as a blonde-style beer with a bright appearance and an approachable balance. The oolong tea is expected to contribute a refreshing floral and herbal layer, while the rice helps keep the body light and the finish crisp.
TAIHU BREWING’s Taiwanese perspective meets Shiga Kogen Beer’s focus on local ingredients and the natural environment of Nagano. “Tea for Two 2” should appeal to drinkers who enjoy ingredient-driven beers, and it may pair particularly well with lighter dishes or Taiwanese cuisine. For fans of the original Tea for Two, it offers an opportunity to compare how the same concept develops in a new recipe.
Information may be inaccurate. Please refer to the venue’s official channels for the latest details.
Hop BroShiga Kogen Beer in Nagano has released “Tea for Two 2,” a collaboration with Taiwan’s TAIHU BREWING.
MugiWhat? Tea in beer? And it’s a Taiwan brewery collaboration? I need to know more!
Hop BroIt builds on Shiga Kogen’s classic Tea for Two. This second edition uses high-mountain oolong and Kinmonnishiki rice.
MugiIs Kinmonnishiki a tea variety? That name sounds like a fancy kimono… a gold-glitter beer?
Hop BroClose! Kinmonnishiki is sake rice grown by Shiga Kogen Beer itself. It gives the beer a light, easy finish—no kimono in the fermenter.
MugiThank goodness, no fermented fabric! So what style of beer is it?
Hop BroIt’s a pale blonde ale. Ale means top fermentation, and this one aims for a crisp clean finish alongside fragrant tea notes.
MugiTop fermentation? Does the beer do ballet on top of the tank?
Hop BroNot quite! It means the yeast tends to gather near the top while fermenting. As it warms, the oolong character evolves too.
MugiIt sounds perfect with Taiwanese food or lighter dishes! It was sold out when the article ran, but if I find it, let’s toast immediately!
