North Island Beer to Begin Taking Orders for Early-Summer Limited SESSION I.P.A. on May 1
North Island Beer, based in Ebetsu, Hokkaido, will begin taking orders on May 1 for its May-June seasonal beer, SESSION I.P.A. With 4% ABV and 35 IBU, it uses Mosaic, Simcoe, and Idaho7, aiming to balance lightness with strong hop character.
Hop BroNorth Island Beer is starting to take orders for its early-summer limited SESSION I.P.A. from May 1. It really knows how to bring out the season, in a way that feels true to a brewery in Ebetsu, Hokkaido.
MugiHuh! So SESSION I.P.A. means an IPA that's light? That feels kind of contradictory!
Hop BroThat’s what makes it interesting. It’s crafted as an easy-drinking IPA with 4% ABV and 35 IBU. It’s not too bitter, but it still keeps the satisfying feel of an IPA.
MugiIBU again! So IBU 35 means it’s bitter? Is this one of those things where the higher the number, the more you make a face?
Hop BroRoughly speaking, it’s a measure of bitterness. This one uses three hops - Mosaic, Simcoe, and Idaho7 - to aim for aromas like tropical fruit and citrus.
MugiWhat is that! The moment I hear tropical aroma, I feel like I’ve already teleported to the tropics!
Hop BroAnd even though the body is light, it still has satisfying depth. In other words, it’s a session IPA that’s easy to keep drinking without feeling thin.
MugiOhh! So it sounds like an IPA that's perfect for the time of year when it starts getting warmer, and well suited to pairing with meals. It would go well with food too!
Hop BroExactly. North Island Beer is a brewery in Ebetsu, Hokkaido that’s been making beer since 2003, and its appeal is the seasonal feel that’s so distinctly Hokkaido in both its regular lineup and its seasonal releases.
MugiAnd you can even enjoy draft beer at their company-owned bar in Sapporo, right? Hearing that makes me want to go drink limited brews on draft even more...
Hop BroThat settles it. Once May 1 arrives, let’s check the orders and open a first early-summer glass together. This is definitely one you’ll want to drink.
Limited IPA for Early Summer
North Island Beer’s online shop will begin taking orders on May 1 for its May-June seasonal limited beer, "SESSION I.P.A.". It has an alcohol content of 4% and an IBU of 35. The hops used are Mosaic, Simcoe, and Idaho7, creating an aroma reminiscent of tropical fruit and citrus while still delivering the bitterness typical of an IPA.
A key point of this release is that, while the body is light, it still has satisfying depth. Designed to match the early-summer period as temperatures begin to rise, it aims to strike a balance between refreshing drinkability and the sense of satisfaction expected from an IPA. Session IPAs are appreciated as a style that offers a strong aromatic presence while remaining easy to keep drinking, making them suitable as a food-pairing beer as the weather starts to warm up.
North Island Beer is a brewery based in Ebetsu, Hokkaido, and has been making beer since 2003. In addition to its standard lineup, it also consistently releases seasonal limited beers, and its defining feature is a lineup that reflects the seasonal character of Hokkaido. It also operates a company-owned beer bar in central Sapporo, where a wide range of beers, including limited brews, can be enjoyed on draft.
Product Overview
- Product name: SESSION I.P.A.
- Release format: May-June seasonal beer
- Order start: May 1
- ABV: 4%
- IBU: 35
- Hops: Mosaic / Simcoe / Idaho7
As a limited IPA for early summer, attention is likely to focus on how it balances lightness with hop aroma.
Information may be inaccurate. Please refer to the brewery’s official channels for the latest details.
Hop BroNorth Island Beer is starting to take orders for its early-summer limited SESSION I.P.A. from May 1. It really knows how to bring out the season, in a way that feels true to a brewery in Ebetsu, Hokkaido.
MugiHuh! So SESSION I.P.A. means an IPA that's light? That feels kind of contradictory!
Hop BroThat’s what makes it interesting. It’s crafted as an easy-drinking IPA with 4% ABV and 35 IBU. It’s not too bitter, but it still keeps the satisfying feel of an IPA.
MugiIBU again! So IBU 35 means it’s bitter? Is this one of those things where the higher the number, the more you make a face?
Hop BroRoughly speaking, it’s a measure of bitterness. This one uses three hops - Mosaic, Simcoe, and Idaho7 - to aim for aromas like tropical fruit and citrus.
MugiWhat is that! The moment I hear tropical aroma, I feel like I’ve already teleported to the tropics!
Hop BroAnd even though the body is light, it still has satisfying depth. In other words, it’s a session IPA that’s easy to keep drinking without feeling thin.
MugiOhh! So it sounds like an IPA that's perfect for the time of year when it starts getting warmer, and well suited to pairing with meals. It would go well with food too!
Hop BroExactly. North Island Beer is a brewery in Ebetsu, Hokkaido that’s been making beer since 2003, and its appeal is the seasonal feel that’s so distinctly Hokkaido in both its regular lineup and its seasonal releases.
MugiAnd you can even enjoy draft beer at their company-owned bar in Sapporo, right? Hearing that makes me want to go drink limited brews on draft even more...
Hop BroThat settles it. Once May 1 arrives, let’s check the orders and open a first early-summer glass together. This is definitely one you’ll want to drink.
