Horsehead Labs plans June 23 release of IBC 2025 gold-winning sakekasu IPA 'Eikun'
Horsehead Labs, based in Kambara-juku in Shizuoka City, announced a June 23 release for its latest sakekasu IPA made with sake lees from Eikun Brewery in Yui. The Instagram post describes it as an IBC 2025 gold-winning sakekasu IPA.
Hop BroToday’s headline is Horsehead Labs’ new release: a sake lees IPA called "Eikun," set to drop on June 23, and the name alone already has me curious.
MugiWait, sake lees IPA? What is that! Did sake and beer bump into each other in a hallway and become best friends?
Hop BroHonestly, I love that description. It uses Eikun Shuzo’s sake lees, layering the rich umami of sake kasu into an IPA for a real hybrid beer.
MugiWow, and when I hear IBC 2025 gold medal, I suddenly feel like I need to sit up straight before drinking it.
Hop BroAnd here’s the fun part: they also add local Shimizu strawberries. So you get sake lees richness, soft fruit character, and bright hop aroma all in one design.
MugiHold on, when people say floral hop aroma, my brain immediately goes full flower field. What does that mean in beer terms?
Hop BroIn simple terms, hop aroma compounds can come across like flowers. So instead of just bitterness, the beer gets a soft, elegant, fragrant lift.
MugiAnd there’s a regular version plus a rich cloudy edition too? That name alone sounds like my glass needs a safety briefing.
Hop BroThat one is filled with the bottom tank layer. The denser liquid settles there, so the result should be fuller, richer, and more intense to drink.
MugiAt 330ml and 6.0% ABV, that sounds perfect for sipping slowly and chasing the aromas. I already want to compare both versions side by side!
Hop BroWhat makes Horsehead Labs interesting is their experimental brewing spirit. Teaming up with local sake makers and pushing sake lees this far really says a lot about their style.
MugiThat settles it. Once I hear releasing June 23, I’m officially restless. I want both the regular one and the cloudy one now.
Horsehead Labs, a brewery and experimental beverage maker based in Kambara-juku, Shizuoka City, teased its latest sakekasu IPA on Instagram. The new release uses sake lees from Eikun Brewery in neighboring Yui, and the post presents it as an IBC 2025 gold-winning sakekasu IPA.
According to the brewery's online shop, the beer comes in 330 ml bottles and sits at 6.0% ABV. In addition to the regular version, a "noko nigori" version filled from the bottom layer of the tank is also offered. The brewing notes describe a recipe built around the rich umami and depth of the sake lees, layered with local Shimizu strawberries and a floral hop aroma.
Horsehead Labs describes itself on its official website as an "experimental group" making various alcoholic drinks in the historic post town of Kambara. The sakekasu IPA series reflects that approach clearly: it is rooted in local ingredients, but shaped with a brewer's willingness to keep testing, adjusting, and rethinking familiar styles.
Information may be inaccurate. Please refer to the brewery’s official channels for the latest details.
Hop BroToday’s headline is Horsehead Labs’ new release: a sake lees IPA called "Eikun," set to drop on June 23, and the name alone already has me curious.
MugiWait, sake lees IPA? What is that! Did sake and beer bump into each other in a hallway and become best friends?
Hop BroHonestly, I love that description. It uses Eikun Shuzo’s sake lees, layering the rich umami of sake kasu into an IPA for a real hybrid beer.
MugiWow, and when I hear IBC 2025 gold medal, I suddenly feel like I need to sit up straight before drinking it.
Hop BroAnd here’s the fun part: they also add local Shimizu strawberries. So you get sake lees richness, soft fruit character, and bright hop aroma all in one design.
MugiHold on, when people say floral hop aroma, my brain immediately goes full flower field. What does that mean in beer terms?
Hop BroIn simple terms, hop aroma compounds can come across like flowers. So instead of just bitterness, the beer gets a soft, elegant, fragrant lift.
MugiAnd there’s a regular version plus a rich cloudy edition too? That name alone sounds like my glass needs a safety briefing.
Hop BroThat one is filled with the bottom tank layer. The denser liquid settles there, so the result should be fuller, richer, and more intense to drink.
MugiAt 330ml and 6.0% ABV, that sounds perfect for sipping slowly and chasing the aromas. I already want to compare both versions side by side!
Hop BroWhat makes Horsehead Labs interesting is their experimental brewing spirit. Teaming up with local sake makers and pushing sake lees this far really says a lot about their style.
MugiThat settles it. Once I hear releasing June 23, I’m officially restless. I want both the regular one and the cloudy one now.
