The tenth Hanafuda release highlights roasted sweet potato

Two Rabbits Brewing Company’s “IRISH RED WITH YAKI-IMO” is part of a 2026 project featuring Hanafuda playing-card labels and familiar Japanese ingredients presented month by month. As the tenth release in the series, it uses a traditional Irish red ale as its base and incorporates roasted sweet potato into the brewing process.

The roasted sweet potato is mashed together with aromatic malt during the mashing stage. This brings the ingredient’s toasted character into contact with the malt-driven structure of the base beer, creating a smooth mouthfeel, soft caramel aromas, and a layered flavor profile. Rather than emphasizing a strong novelty character, the beer focuses on the balance between roasted malt and the mellow sweetness associated with sweet potato.

A malt-forward beer for food pairing

The beer is sold by Two Rabbits Brewing Company in two variants, priced from ¥715 to ¥4,290. The brewery recommends it with meat dishes, while also presenting it as a beer suitable for drinking on its own. Its malt character and gentle caramel impression should pair naturally with grilled or roasted foods, complementing savory flavors without overpowering them.

Based in Omihachiman, Shiga, Two Rabbits Brewing Company develops beers that connect craft brewing with Japanese ingredients and food culture. The Hanafuda series expresses that approach through both its visual identity and its changing ingredient themes. Each release combines a familiar Japanese motif with a recognizable beer style, exploring how an everyday ingredient can reshape the drinking experience.

With roasted sweetness, toasted malt, and the soft depth of an Irish red ale, “IRISH RED WITH YAKI-IMO” is well suited to a relaxed meal. Served slowly, it offers drinkers a chance to follow the beer’s aroma and malt character as it opens in the glass.