Horsehead Loves to Release New "Sake Lees IPA" at the End of April
Shizuoka's Kanbara-based craft brewery Horsehead Loves updated Instagram on February 26, 2026, announcing that its new "Sake Lees IPA" is scheduled for release at the end of April. It also indicated plans to send it to various events, so it is likely to draw attention as a limited spring seasonal release.
Hop BroBreaking news: Shizuoka's Kanbara-based Horsehead Loves announced on Instagram on February 26, 2026, that its new "Sake Lees IPA" will be released at the end of April!
MugiWhat? Are sake lees and IPA even allowed to meet in the same glass!?
Hop BroThat's the interesting part. The idea is to "connect" the rice-derived umami of the sake lees with the hop aroma of the IPA. And Horsehead Loves has a track record of developing this Sake Lees IPA as an ongoing series.
MugiDon't make it sound like Wi-Fi connection! So what does it taste like?
Hop BroIf I had to compare it, it's like bright hop aromatics followed by a gentle, amazake-like nuance. Not too heavy, with the kind of lightness you'd expect from a spring limited release.
MugiHuh! But in the article, the ABV and even the beer's name still haven't been announced, right?
Hop BroExactly. At this point, all we know is that it's slated for release at the end of April and is planned to appear at multiple events. The sales channels and detailed specs are still waiting on further updates.
MugiShowing up at events is huge! Does that mean there might be a chance to drink it early!? I'll be waiting on the edge of my seat!
Hop BroBeing on the edge of your seat matters. Horsehead Loves is a brewery that makes use of water from the foothills of Mount Fuji and local ingredients, so the big thing to watch here is how it lands as "local ingredients × experimentation."
MugiI can't take it, my throat is already dry just imagining it! Let's toast with Sake Lees IPA at the end of April!
Hop BroDeal! Once the follow-up details on the brewery and flavor design come out, we'll check them right away and go hard from the first pour at the event venue!
In Horsehead Loves's Instagram post, "Looks like delicious sake lees 🤤...", the caption clearly states that the new Sake Lees IPA is scheduled to go on sale at the end of April. It also says the beer is planned for submission to multiple events. At this point, details such as the beer's name, ABV, and sales channels have not yet been announced, but the brew appears to be in progress ahead of the spring release.
Key points from the post
- The new beer is a "Sake Lees IPA"
- Release is scheduled for the end of April
- Event appearances are also planned
Horsehead Loves is a brewery based in Kanbara-juku, a former post town in Shizuoka City, and it works on brewing a variety of alcoholic drinks. Its official website also highlights brewing that makes use of water from the foot of Mount Fuji and the region's local climate. The Sake Lees IPA has a track record of being developed as part of the brewery's ongoing series, and in the past there have also been variations combining sake lees from Shizuoka and other local ingredients.
In the craft beer context, working with sake lees hinges on connecting the umami derived from rice with hop aroma. In this new release as well, the key point will be how Horsehead Loves' signature experimentation and focus on local ingredients are expressed. In follow-up coverage, it will be worth paying attention to the brewery that supplied the sake lees, the flavor design, and the details of the launch events.
Information may be inaccurate. Please refer to the brewery’s official channels for the latest details.
Hop BroBreaking news: Shizuoka's Kanbara-based Horsehead Loves announced on Instagram on February 26, 2026, that its new "Sake Lees IPA" will be released at the end of April!
MugiWhat? Are sake lees and IPA even allowed to meet in the same glass!?
Hop BroThat's the interesting part. The idea is to "connect" the rice-derived umami of the sake lees with the hop aroma of the IPA. And Horsehead Loves has a track record of developing this Sake Lees IPA as an ongoing series.
MugiDon't make it sound like Wi-Fi connection! So what does it taste like?
Hop BroIf I had to compare it, it's like bright hop aromatics followed by a gentle, amazake-like nuance. Not too heavy, with the kind of lightness you'd expect from a spring limited release.
MugiHuh! But in the article, the ABV and even the beer's name still haven't been announced, right?
Hop BroExactly. At this point, all we know is that it's slated for release at the end of April and is planned to appear at multiple events. The sales channels and detailed specs are still waiting on further updates.
MugiShowing up at events is huge! Does that mean there might be a chance to drink it early!? I'll be waiting on the edge of my seat!
Hop BroBeing on the edge of your seat matters. Horsehead Loves is a brewery that makes use of water from the foothills of Mount Fuji and local ingredients, so the big thing to watch here is how it lands as "local ingredients × experimentation."
MugiI can't take it, my throat is already dry just imagining it! Let's toast with Sake Lees IPA at the end of April!
Hop BroDeal! Once the follow-up details on the brewery and flavor design come out, we'll check them right away and go hard from the first pour at the event venue!
