Sakamichi Brewing announces the collaboration IPA "The Hop Captain" with WCB and Totopia
Sakamichi Brewing (Tachikawa, Tokyo) introduced the Hazy IPA "The Hop Captain," a collaboration with West Coast Brewing and Totopia, on Instagram. Brewed with 2026-harvest Pikimai Chinook, it is said to feature aromas reminiscent of pineapple and mango.
Hop BroSakamichi Brewing in Tachikawa has put out The Hop Captain, bringing in West Coast Brewing and Totopia too. It's a Hazy IPA, and exactly the kind of beer that gets hop lovers excited.
MugiWhat! A three-way collab? And a Hazy IPA too? Just hearing the name makes it sound hazy and cloudy, which is already interesting!
Hop BroThat's right. It's 7.0% ABV and 18 IBU, so it's designed to be aromatic rather than overly bitter. And the star hop is Pikimai Chinook from the 2026 harvest.
MugiPikimai... Chinook? What is that, a spell? When they say first-use hop in Japan, it suddenly sounds way more impressive!
Hop BroWhat's more, the aroma is said to evoke pineapple and mango, plus a hint of green grape. It's a Hazy IPA aimed at juicy fruitiness, like sliced fruit.
MugiWhoa, it's basically tropical in my head already! But can Hazy IPAs really push the aroma that far? A thick, layered aroma sounds kind of stylish!
Hop BroWith Hazy beers, it's not just the appearance. They often soften the mouthfeel with malt character and oats, and lean hard into aroma first. Because the bitterness takes a back seat, the hop character really shines.
MugiSo it's not just about bitterness! And Sakamichi Brewing's stance of valuing the process is cool too.
Hop BroAs a Tachikawa urban brewery, Sakamichi Brewing really feels like itself in how it runs both the taproom and the brewery as two equal pillars. Because it works across a wide range, from lagers to ales, it naturally leads into new expressions like this.
MugiI like that it's not just a new release, but has a story behind it. Hearing that Sakamichi Brewing, WCB, and Totopia have a limited project makes me want to go drink it right away!
Hop BroExactly, this is the kind of beer you want to track down at the three venues only. Today is more than enough reason to raise a glass with hops.
MugiYeah, I totally want to drink it too! This The Hop Captain sounds like a beer I could enjoy just from the aroma!
Overview of the new release
The beer introduced in Sakamichi Brewing's Instagram post is `The Hop Captain`. It is a Hazy IPA with 7.0% ABV and 18 IBU. Brewed as a double collaboration with West Coast Brewing, it is being presented as a limited project involving Totopia as well.
The character of the hop
The star this time is `Pikimai Chinook`, harvested in 2026. The post explains that this is the first time the hop has been used in Japan, and says it will be served only at Sakamichi Brewing, West Coast Brewing, and Totopia. The aroma profile is described as cut pineapple, mango, and green grape. The design puts the hop character front and center, making it easy to imagine the layered aroma typical of a Hazy IPA.
What makes Sakamichi Brewing Sakamichi Brewing
Based in Tachikawa, Sakamichi Brewing states on its official website that it values the "process," and aims to work with local ingredients, consider the environment, and brew beers across a broad range of styles. Its policy of handling everything from classic lagers and ales to beers with new expressions naturally connects to hop-driven collaborations like this one. As an urban brewery that continues to release new beers through both its taproom and its brewery, Sakamichi Brewing is one to watch for hop fans.
Information may be inaccurate. Please refer to the brewery’s official channels for the latest details.
Hop BroSakamichi Brewing in Tachikawa has put out The Hop Captain, bringing in West Coast Brewing and Totopia too. It's a Hazy IPA, and exactly the kind of beer that gets hop lovers excited.
MugiWhat! A three-way collab? And a Hazy IPA too? Just hearing the name makes it sound hazy and cloudy, which is already interesting!
Hop BroThat's right. It's 7.0% ABV and 18 IBU, so it's designed to be aromatic rather than overly bitter. And the star hop is Pikimai Chinook from the 2026 harvest.
MugiPikimai... Chinook? What is that, a spell? When they say first-use hop in Japan, it suddenly sounds way more impressive!
Hop BroWhat's more, the aroma is said to evoke pineapple and mango, plus a hint of green grape. It's a Hazy IPA aimed at juicy fruitiness, like sliced fruit.
MugiWhoa, it's basically tropical in my head already! But can Hazy IPAs really push the aroma that far? A thick, layered aroma sounds kind of stylish!
Hop BroWith Hazy beers, it's not just the appearance. They often soften the mouthfeel with malt character and oats, and lean hard into aroma first. Because the bitterness takes a back seat, the hop character really shines.
MugiSo it's not just about bitterness! And Sakamichi Brewing's stance of valuing the process is cool too.
Hop BroAs a Tachikawa urban brewery, Sakamichi Brewing really feels like itself in how it runs both the taproom and the brewery as two equal pillars. Because it works across a wide range, from lagers to ales, it naturally leads into new expressions like this.
MugiI like that it's not just a new release, but has a story behind it. Hearing that Sakamichi Brewing, WCB, and Totopia have a limited project makes me want to go drink it right away!
Hop BroExactly, this is the kind of beer you want to track down at the three venues only. Today is more than enough reason to raise a glass with hops.
MugiYeah, I totally want to drink it too! This The Hop Captain sounds like a beer I could enjoy just from the aroma!
