BONZ and MILLS Released Simultaneously at Minamiaizu Mountain Brewing
At the brewpub "Minamiaizu Mountain Brewing / Taproom BeerFridge" in Aizutajima, Fukushima, this week's new releases are "BONZ" and "MILLS." A West Coast IPA and a Helles, two beers with very different directions, make this a noteworthy tasting opportunity.
Hop BroMinamiaizu is hot this week, right? The simultaneous release of BONZ and MILLS has the Aizutajima brewpub "Minamiaizu Mountain Brewing / Taproom BeerFridge" coming in pretty aggressively.
MugiWait, two at once!? They're totally different directions? That alone makes me want to do a tasting side by side!
Hop BroExactly. One is BONZ, a West Coast IPA, and even at ABV 7.0% it's cleverly made crisp by using rice.
MugiRice goes into beer!? When I hear clean and crisp design, it kind of feels like a drink made from rice, and now I'm confused!
Hop BroGood question. The rice lightens the body and sharpens the drinkability, and then three citrus hop varieties come on top of that, bringing out grapefruit and orange notes.
MugiOhh! And it even has tropical aromas? That means it should be more than just bitter, and I can enjoy some brightness too!
Hop BroThe other one, MILLS, stands out for its elegant Helles character. It's a golden beer at ABV 5.0%, with the herbal quality of two German hop varieties, plus apple- and honey-like sweetness woven in.
MugiWait, even though it's a lager, it has rounded malt richness too!? It feels like the quiet confidence of a grown-up beer, tasty without being flashy!
Hop BroExactly. BONZ is a beer for enjoying bitterness, while MILLS is a beer with a clean finish that's easy to pair with food. The contrast is what makes it interesting.
MugiAnd the fact that it comes in 15.5L / 10.2L / 350ml sizes is great, whether you're going all in or just want something to take home!
Hop BroBeing able to drink these two in the same place in a mountain town is the best part. Start with these two beers right now in Minamiaizu, then finish with BONZ for a sharp hit and MILLS for a relaxing pause.
MugiWow, just reading that made my throat go dry... I'm ready to go in with a tasting showdown in mind today. I'll take both BONZ and MILLS!
At Minamiaizu Mountain Brewing / Taproom BeerFridge, based in Aizutajima, Minamiaizu Town, Fukushima Prefecture, "BONZ" and "MILLS" were announced as this week's releases. True to the brewery's emphasis on brewing and its ties to the local community, this lineup once again brings together two labels with clearly distinct personalities.
"BONZ" is a West Coast IPA (ABV 7.0%). By using rice, it is designed to drink cleanly despite its strength. Three American hop varieties layer grapefruit- and orange-like citrus aromas with tropical notes and a light dank character, while the bitterness is firm and the finish is clean and dry. It is a beer made to be savored slowly in a larger glass.
The other release, "MILLS," is a Helles (ABV 5.0%). Pale golden in color, it offers a gently herbal aroma from two German hop varieties, along with soft nuances reminiscent of apple and honey. While keeping a crisp finish, it also delivers a rounded malt sweetness, ending with a clean aftertaste. Rather than flashiness, it is a lager for enjoying balance, and it seems well suited to pairing with food.
Both beers are available in 15.5L / 10.2L / 350ml formats. In the mountain town setting of this brewpub, it's a chance to taste two styles with very different hop expression in the same place. If you want to experience what "Minamiaizu Mountain Brewing" is like right now in Aizutajima, these two beers are the place to start.
Information may be inaccurate. Please refer to the venue’s official channels for the latest details.
Hop BroMinamiaizu is hot this week, right? The simultaneous release of BONZ and MILLS has the Aizutajima brewpub "Minamiaizu Mountain Brewing / Taproom BeerFridge" coming in pretty aggressively.
MugiWait, two at once!? They're totally different directions? That alone makes me want to do a tasting side by side!
Hop BroExactly. One is BONZ, a West Coast IPA, and even at ABV 7.0% it's cleverly made crisp by using rice.
MugiRice goes into beer!? When I hear clean and crisp design, it kind of feels like a drink made from rice, and now I'm confused!
Hop BroGood question. The rice lightens the body and sharpens the drinkability, and then three citrus hop varieties come on top of that, bringing out grapefruit and orange notes.
MugiOhh! And it even has tropical aromas? That means it should be more than just bitter, and I can enjoy some brightness too!
Hop BroThe other one, MILLS, stands out for its elegant Helles character. It's a golden beer at ABV 5.0%, with the herbal quality of two German hop varieties, plus apple- and honey-like sweetness woven in.
MugiWait, even though it's a lager, it has rounded malt richness too!? It feels like the quiet confidence of a grown-up beer, tasty without being flashy!
Hop BroExactly. BONZ is a beer for enjoying bitterness, while MILLS is a beer with a clean finish that's easy to pair with food. The contrast is what makes it interesting.
MugiAnd the fact that it comes in 15.5L / 10.2L / 350ml sizes is great, whether you're going all in or just want something to take home!
Hop BroBeing able to drink these two in the same place in a mountain town is the best part. Start with these two beers right now in Minamiaizu, then finish with BONZ for a sharp hit and MILLS for a relaxing pause.
MugiWow, just reading that made my throat go dry... I'm ready to go in with a tasting showdown in mind today. I'll take both BONZ and MILLS!
