Himitsu Beer Releases Collaboration Beer “The Secret of Afuri” with AFURI
Himitsu Beer of Ise, Mie, will release Yuzu Sansho IPA “The Secret of Afuri” in collaboration with AFURI starting April 23. The 350 ml canned beer, centered on yuzu and sansho, will be sold in limited quantities at AFURI locations, the official online store, and other outlets.
Hop BroToday there’s an interesting collaboration. Mie/Ise’s Himitsu Beer × AFURI is releasing “The Secret of Afuri” starting April 23.
MugiWhat! AFURI is that ramen AFURI, right? A beer is already too much information!
Hop BroExactly. This time it’s a Yuzu Sansho IPA. In 350 ml cans, the main character is the Japanese aroma centered on yuzu and sansho.
MugiSansho, the tingling stuff? If you put that in beer, won’t it numb you? It’s a little scary, but I’m curious!
Hop BroGood question. Rather than pushing with spiciness, it’s used to sharpen the aroma’s outline. The spiciness of Asakura sansho is layered over the soft aroma of yuzu.
MugiWow! And it even has Cascade hops. Won’t the hop aroma clash with the yuzu?
Hop BroThat’s the clever part: Cascade’s freshness supports the yuzu. With an IBU of 19.0, the bitterness is restrained, making it an easy beer to pair with food.
MugiSo IBU 19.0 means it’s not too bitter, right? It sounds easy to drink but still has character, which feels unfair!
Hop BroWhat’s more, it isn’t just a promotional product; it’s a beer born from a conversation at an industry gathering. Himitsu Beer’s locally rooted stance and AFURI’s philosophy of aroma naturally overlap.
MugiI love that it actually has a story! Hearing it’s sold in limited quantities makes me suddenly restless!
Hop BroYou can buy it at AFURI locations, the official online store, and select retailers, and it sounds like draft will also be available. These kinds of Japanese-style IPAs really hit when you drink them slowly at night.
MugiThen today’s settled! The aroma of yuzu and sansho is the kind that makes both of us want a glass!
Collaboration Overview
Himitsu Beer, a brewery in Ise City, Mie Prefecture, is releasing a collaboration beer with AFURI titled “The Secret of Afuri.” Sales begin on April 23, 2026, and it will be available at AFURI locations, the official AFURI online store, and select retailers. Draft beer will be served at select restaurants, and all items will be sold until supplies last.
This beer is a Yuzu Sansho IPA, with 6.0% alcohol, IBU 19.0, and packaged in 350 ml cans. In its aroma and flavor design, the soft scent of yuzu is layered with the fresh aroma of Cascade hops, with the bitterness of yuzu peel and the spicy character of Asakura sansho serving as accents.
Background to the Brewing
The collaboration began with a conversation at a gathering in the craft beer industry. Building on AFURI's proposal, Himitsu Beer added its own experience and ideas, resulting in a beer that is not merely a promotional product but one where the philosophies of both sides naturally overlap.
Himitsu Beer operates out of Ise, Mie, under the banner of “a brewery that creates places to belong.” It emphasizes the attitude of tilling the soil, sowing seeds, cultivating culture, and brewing with the local climate and character, valuing the time and effort required to make beer carefully. Because it is a brewery rooted in its local area, this collaboration built around Japanese ingredients like yuzu and sansho also feels naturally convincing.
Tasting Notes
“The Secret of Afuri” is designed to put the aroma of yuzu at the forefront while giving the beer shape with the sharp kick of sansho. The flavor aims for both lightness and depth, making it seem well suited to accompany food. It is a beer worth paying attention to as one in which AFURI's long-valued approach to aroma design and harmony with food is combined with Himitsu Beer’s brewing expertise.
Information may be inaccurate. Please refer to the brewery’s official channels for the latest details.
Hop BroToday there’s an interesting collaboration. Mie/Ise’s Himitsu Beer × AFURI is releasing “The Secret of Afuri” starting April 23.
MugiWhat! AFURI is that ramen AFURI, right? A beer is already too much information!
Hop BroExactly. This time it’s a Yuzu Sansho IPA. In 350 ml cans, the main character is the Japanese aroma centered on yuzu and sansho.
MugiSansho, the tingling stuff? If you put that in beer, won’t it numb you? It’s a little scary, but I’m curious!
Hop BroGood question. Rather than pushing with spiciness, it’s used to sharpen the aroma’s outline. The spiciness of Asakura sansho is layered over the soft aroma of yuzu.
MugiWow! And it even has Cascade hops. Won’t the hop aroma clash with the yuzu?
Hop BroThat’s the clever part: Cascade’s freshness supports the yuzu. With an IBU of 19.0, the bitterness is restrained, making it an easy beer to pair with food.
MugiSo IBU 19.0 means it’s not too bitter, right? It sounds easy to drink but still has character, which feels unfair!
Hop BroWhat’s more, it isn’t just a promotional product; it’s a beer born from a conversation at an industry gathering. Himitsu Beer’s locally rooted stance and AFURI’s philosophy of aroma naturally overlap.
MugiI love that it actually has a story! Hearing it’s sold in limited quantities makes me suddenly restless!
Hop BroYou can buy it at AFURI locations, the official online store, and select retailers, and it sounds like draft will also be available. These kinds of Japanese-style IPAs really hit when you drink them slowly at night.
MugiThen today’s settled! The aroma of yuzu and sansho is the kind that makes both of us want a glass!
