Sankt Gallen Brewery to Release Spring-Limited Sakura Mochi-Flavored Beer "Sakura" on February 19
Sankt Gallen Brewery will release its spring-limited beer "Sankt Gallen Sakura," flavored with cherry blossoms and leaves, starting on February 19, 2026. It is being positioned as a seasonal product from the Atsugi, Kanagawa brewery, suggested for hanami and White Day gifts.
Hop BroHere it is again, Sankt Gallen Brewery's spring-limited "Sakura". It goes on sale on February 19, 2026, and it's one bottle you can enjoy all the way to the end of cherry blossom season.
MugiWait, already spring vibes!? And it's beer, but with a sakura mochi flavor? That sounds wild! It seems perfect for hanami, but is it really beer?
Hop BroIt's definitely beer, and what's inside is pretty interesting. They use cherry blossoms and leaves from Takato in Nagano, and the brew includes 60 kg of double cherry blossoms.
Mugi60 kg? At that point, cherry blossoms aren't just the star, they're covered in cherry blossoms! But what kind of flavor do you get with the leaves too?
Hop BroThat's the thing: because they're edible double cherry blossoms also used in sakura tea, the aroma rises softly. The hops are restrained, and the key point is that the cherry blossom aroma is brought to the forefront.
MugiOhhh! Keeping the hops low is rare, isn't it? But does that mean it might feel a little lacking for beer fans? Is it okay?
Hop BroThat's where Sankt Gallen shows what it can do. In addition to barley malt, it uses 20% wheat malt, and it also blends in sake rice called Rakufubai.
MugiWait, rice in beer!? That gives it a total Japanese sweets vibe, but what does it do to the drinking experience?
Hop BroIt gives it a soft mouthfeel and a rich sweetness, creating an impression similar to Domyoji sakura mochi. In other words, they're doing spring wagashi vibes in beer form.
MugiNow I'm really interested! At 330 ml and 5% alcohol, it sounds easy to drink, and it could even be the star of a hanami picnic!
Hop BroIt won't just be sold through the official online shop, but also at department stores, select liquor shops, and the directly operated taproom. Since it's limited through mid-April, you should grab it early if you find it.
MugiJust imagining it makes me want to drink it...! This spring, I want to toast with sakura mochi beer and really get that hanami feeling!
Sankt Gallen Brewery (Atsugi, Kanagawa) released its spring-limited beer "Sankt Gallen Sakura" on February 19, 2026. It is being introduced to coincide with the latter part of the hanami season, and is positioned as a bottle for spring meals and gifts.
A Flavor Reminiscent of Sakura Mochi
This beer is characterized by a "sakura mochi-like" flavor, created using cherry blossoms and leaves from Takato in Ina, Nagano Prefecture. It uses 60 kg of edible double cherry blossoms, the same kind used in sakura tea, in a single brew. The hop usage is kept low, with the design bringing the cherry blossom aroma to the forefront.
In addition to barley malt, the base uses 20% wheat malt, and also includes the sake rice "Rakufubai," grown at Izumibashi Shuzo in Ebina, Kanagawa Prefecture. This adds a soft mouthfeel and a rich sweetness, resulting in a flavor said to evoke Domyoji sakura mochi.
A Seasonal Offering in Sankt Gallen Style
Sankt Gallen is a brewery based in Atsugi, Kanagawa, that produces many distinctive ales. Its official site also describes it as the "originator of local beer," and it has consistently rolled out seasonal products that make use of fruit and aromatic ingredients. This "Sakura" release can also be said to be one of its spring staples.
The product comes in 330 ml bottles and has an alcohol content of 5%. It will be sold through the official website, as well as at department stores, select liquor shops, and the directly operated Sankt Gallen Taproom. It is being offered as a seasonal limited release through mid-April.
Information may be inaccurate. Please refer to the brewery’s official channels for the latest details.
Hop BroHere it is again, Sankt Gallen Brewery's spring-limited "Sakura". It goes on sale on February 19, 2026, and it's one bottle you can enjoy all the way to the end of cherry blossom season.
MugiWait, already spring vibes!? And it's beer, but with a sakura mochi flavor? That sounds wild! It seems perfect for hanami, but is it really beer?
Hop BroIt's definitely beer, and what's inside is pretty interesting. They use cherry blossoms and leaves from Takato in Nagano, and the brew includes 60 kg of double cherry blossoms.
Mugi60 kg? At that point, cherry blossoms aren't just the star, they're covered in cherry blossoms! But what kind of flavor do you get with the leaves too?
Hop BroThat's the thing: because they're edible double cherry blossoms also used in sakura tea, the aroma rises softly. The hops are restrained, and the key point is that the cherry blossom aroma is brought to the forefront.
MugiOhhh! Keeping the hops low is rare, isn't it? But does that mean it might feel a little lacking for beer fans? Is it okay?
Hop BroThat's where Sankt Gallen shows what it can do. In addition to barley malt, it uses 20% wheat malt, and it also blends in sake rice called Rakufubai.
MugiWait, rice in beer!? That gives it a total Japanese sweets vibe, but what does it do to the drinking experience?
Hop BroIt gives it a soft mouthfeel and a rich sweetness, creating an impression similar to Domyoji sakura mochi. In other words, they're doing spring wagashi vibes in beer form.
MugiNow I'm really interested! At 330 ml and 5% alcohol, it sounds easy to drink, and it could even be the star of a hanami picnic!
Hop BroIt won't just be sold through the official online shop, but also at department stores, select liquor shops, and the directly operated taproom. Since it's limited through mid-April, you should grab it early if you find it.
MugiJust imagining it makes me want to drink it...! This spring, I want to toast with sakura mochi beer and really get that hanami feeling!
