Onomichi Brewery Releases 5th Anniversary "1894 Hojicha Helles"
Onomichi Brewery in Onomichi, Hiroshima, has announced a commemorative beer, "1894 Hojicha Helles," to mark its fifth anniversary on February 27, 2026. It is the brewery's first lager, pairing a traditional German Helles with the roasted aroma of hojicha from a long-established local tea shop, making it a fitting beer for the milestone.
Hop BroOnomichi Brewery's 5th anniversary beer is seriously hot! Its name is "1894 Hojicha Helles"!
MugiWhoa! What is that? Just the numbers make it sound powerful! Like a special move!
Hop BroYou get that special-move vibe, right? Actually, Helles is a traditional German lager style, and it's Onomichi Brewery's first lager. Sales were announced on February 18, 2026, and the anniversary date is February 27.
MugiHelles? Healths? Is it some kind of health drink?
Hop BroIt's Helles. Basically, it's a pale lager with a gentle malty sweetness that goes down easy. It's not flashy, but it has depth too, the kind of beer that makes everyday life a little better.
MugiOhhh! And "hojicha" sounds so Japanese, I'm curious!
Hop BroThat's the best part. They use self-roasted hojicha from Imagawa Tamakouen Chaho in Onomichi, layering in a roasted aroma. And the year Helles was born, 1894, is the same year the brewery's old storehouse was built.
MugiWhat, that's way too destined! It started from a conversation with a German customer, then connects to a storehouse built in 1894 in Onomichi? That's straight out of a story film!
Hop BroExactly. It's a commemorative release that weaves together the history of the building, overseas beer culture, and local tea culture into one bottle. Even the label uses the "1894ONOMICHI" logo, so it's a beer you can drink along with the time and place itself.
MugiI can't take it anymore, my mouth is already waiting for hojicha Helles! Hop, let's toast Onomichi Brewery's 5th anniversary tonight!
On February 18, 2026, Onomichi Brewery announced the start of sales for its 5th anniversary beer. The anniversary date is February 27, 2026. This commemorative release is Helles, the first lager ever made by the brewery.
The background behind choosing Helles was a conversation with a German customer who visited the brewery. Learning that Helles is a style commonly enjoyed in Germany, they looked into it and found that its year of origin was 1894. That was also the year the old storehouse now used as the brewery building was constructed. The brewery turned this coincidence into a beer story for its 5th anniversary.
The finished product is named "1894 Hojicha Helles". To further emphasize its local character, it uses self-roasted hojicha from Imagawa Tamakouen Chaho, a tea shop in Onomichi founded in 1878, giving the aroma a distinct personality. The label features the logo of the building that houses the brewery, "1894ONOMICHI."
Onomichi Brewery was born through the renovation of an old storehouse built in 1894 in Kubo, Onomichi City. Under the banner of "made in Onomichi" craft beer made with local ingredients, it has released numerous award-winning beers. This 5th anniversary release can be seen as a single beer that brings together the history of the building, overseas beer culture, and local tea culture, all of which symbolize the brewery's journey.
As it enters its sixth year, Onomichi Brewery says it will continue brewing rooted in the local community. This milestone release is worth watching as a beer that lets you taste the time and place of Onomichi.
Information may be inaccurate. Please refer to the brewery’s official channels for the latest details.
Hop BroOnomichi Brewery's 5th anniversary beer is seriously hot! Its name is "1894 Hojicha Helles"!
MugiWhoa! What is that? Just the numbers make it sound powerful! Like a special move!
Hop BroYou get that special-move vibe, right? Actually, Helles is a traditional German lager style, and it's Onomichi Brewery's first lager. Sales were announced on February 18, 2026, and the anniversary date is February 27.
MugiHelles? Healths? Is it some kind of health drink?
Hop BroIt's Helles. Basically, it's a pale lager with a gentle malty sweetness that goes down easy. It's not flashy, but it has depth too, the kind of beer that makes everyday life a little better.
MugiOhhh! And "hojicha" sounds so Japanese, I'm curious!
Hop BroThat's the best part. They use self-roasted hojicha from Imagawa Tamakouen Chaho in Onomichi, layering in a roasted aroma. And the year Helles was born, 1894, is the same year the brewery's old storehouse was built.
MugiWhat, that's way too destined! It started from a conversation with a German customer, then connects to a storehouse built in 1894 in Onomichi? That's straight out of a story film!
Hop BroExactly. It's a commemorative release that weaves together the history of the building, overseas beer culture, and local tea culture into one bottle. Even the label uses the "1894ONOMICHI" logo, so it's a beer you can drink along with the time and place itself.
MugiI can't take it anymore, my mouth is already waiting for hojicha Helles! Hop, let's toast Onomichi Brewery's 5th anniversary tonight!
