Himitsu Beer Releases Seasonal 'ORCA' with Homegrown Ise Natsumikan
Himitsu Beer in Ise, Mie, has released a seasonal beer, 'ORCA / Orca,' made with homegrown natsumikan. It is a 5% ABV Natsumikan Pale Ale, introduced as a staple that appears every year around this time.
Hop BroMie's Ise-based Himitsu Beer has released ORCA, a seasonal beer again this year. It's a 5% ABV Natsumikan Pale Ale, and it's the perfect topic for the start of summer.
MugiHuh! Orca is natsumikan!? And they're putting it in beer? That's making it feel weirdly more like a sea creature!
Hop BroHere's the thing, though: they don't just toss it in. They use homegrown natsumikan after letting it ripen fully on the tree, then slice it thinly whole and steep it, so the aroma really comes through.
MugiWhoa! But ripening on the tree gives citrus fruit that much of a dramatic arc? That sounds like fruit-world training camp!
Hop BroIt does, because the aroma and acidity change depending on when you harvest it. And this year they also reworked the malt recipe, keeping the color clear while making it just a little more substantial.
MugiWait, so it has a clear color but also more body? So it looks crisp but tastes substantial?
Hop BroExactly. The main star is still the light, lively character of the pale ale, and the natsumikan just gently layers fresh citrus notes on top.
MugiNice, that sounds great! It seems like the kind of beer you could keep gulping down on a hot day, and if they say it's designed to be drinkable in endless rounds, I trust that completely!
Hop BroAnd the food pairings are a big plus too. It works with carpaccio and chicken skin with ponzu, of course, but also with oil-based pasta and tofu dishes, so it really helps out at the table.
MugiWow, having a wide range of food pairings is the best. I tend to be satisfied just drinking, but this is the kind of beer that actually brings dinner along too!
Hop BroAnd for the finish, if you pour it so you lightly sip the foam, the natsumikan impression comes through even more. That's the kind of thing that makes you want to try it at the bar right away.
MugiWhoa, I can't take it anymore! I want a glass right now! Himitsu Beer's ORCA is way too perfect for the start of summer!
Himitsu Beer in Ise, Mie, has released 'ORCA / Orca' brewed with homegrown natsumikan. It is 5% ABV and styled as a Natsumikan Pale Ale. This seasonal beer appears every year around this time, and this year the malt recipe was slightly revised to keep the color clear while giving it a bit more body.
The natsumikan are harvested only after ripening fully on the tree, then thinly sliced whole and steeped in the beer. By taking time to infuse the aroma and juice components, the finished pale ale layers a fresh citrus character over a light-colored base. The pale ale itself remains the star, with the natsumikan serving to add lightness and a subtle flavor.
The drinking experience is crisp and easygoing, designed so you can keep drinking it even as the heat builds. Himitsu Beer positions it not only as a first beer of the day, but also as the kind you want to come back to after drinking something richer. It also pairs broadly with food, and goes well with carpaccio, chicken skin with ponzu, oil-based pasta, and even tofu dishes. If you pour it while lightly sipping at the foam, the natsumikan character becomes even more noticeable.
Information may be inaccurate. Please refer to the brewery’s official channels for the latest details.
Hop BroMie's Ise-based Himitsu Beer has released ORCA, a seasonal beer again this year. It's a 5% ABV Natsumikan Pale Ale, and it's the perfect topic for the start of summer.
MugiHuh! Orca is natsumikan!? And they're putting it in beer? That's making it feel weirdly more like a sea creature!
Hop BroHere's the thing, though: they don't just toss it in. They use homegrown natsumikan after letting it ripen fully on the tree, then slice it thinly whole and steep it, so the aroma really comes through.
MugiWhoa! But ripening on the tree gives citrus fruit that much of a dramatic arc? That sounds like fruit-world training camp!
Hop BroIt does, because the aroma and acidity change depending on when you harvest it. And this year they also reworked the malt recipe, keeping the color clear while making it just a little more substantial.
MugiWait, so it has a clear color but also more body? So it looks crisp but tastes substantial?
Hop BroExactly. The main star is still the light, lively character of the pale ale, and the natsumikan just gently layers fresh citrus notes on top.
MugiNice, that sounds great! It seems like the kind of beer you could keep gulping down on a hot day, and if they say it's designed to be drinkable in endless rounds, I trust that completely!
Hop BroAnd the food pairings are a big plus too. It works with carpaccio and chicken skin with ponzu, of course, but also with oil-based pasta and tofu dishes, so it really helps out at the table.
MugiWow, having a wide range of food pairings is the best. I tend to be satisfied just drinking, but this is the kind of beer that actually brings dinner along too!
Hop BroAnd for the finish, if you pour it so you lightly sip the foam, the natsumikan impression comes through even more. That's the kind of thing that makes you want to try it at the bar right away.
MugiWhoa, I can't take it anymore! I want a glass right now! Himitsu Beer's ORCA is way too perfect for the start of summer!
