Shiga Kogen Beer Releases Barrel-Aged Yamabushi "ume dark" in 500ml Cans
Shiga Kogen Beer (Tamamura Honten) has announced a new 500ml can release in its barrel-aged Yamabushi series: "ume dark." After primary fermentation with a mixed culture, it was aged for 34 months in Ichiro's Malt barrels, then further enhanced with hand-picked plums, making it a long-aged release worth watching.
Hop BroToday’s new arrival is pretty wild: Shiga Kogen Beer’s latest release is here. Their barrel-aged Yamabushi "ume dark" 500ml can is out!
MugiWhoa! The name alone sounds intense! What is ume dark? Is it plum? Is it dark?
Hop BroThe thing is, this is a limited release in the barrel-aged Yamabushi series, and it’s the kind that undergoes primary fermentation with mixed culture before being aged for a long time.
MugiWhat?! Mixed-culture primary fermentation? That sounds like a science lab experiment, and I’m scared!
Hop BroBasically, it’s a fermentation method that uses a combination of yeasts and microbes instead of just one. This batch spent four months in stainless tanks, then 34 months in Ichiro's Malt barrels.
Mugi34 months!? That’s like a whole drama series! And they even added hand-picked plums? That’s an insane amount of work!
Hop BroExactly. It’s designed to layer fruit character over the depth that comes from aging. And the fact that it’s a continuation of the ore no sake lineage is what really hits the enthusiast nerve.
MugiOhhh! So for people following the series, it’s a major event, and for first-timers it’s an entry point into aging and fermentation!
Hop BroExactly. It’s great for taking your time after a meal, and because the beer can change in the can, the timing of when you open it is part of the fun too.
MugiIt’s decided! Tonight I’m getting a glass ready, and I want to drink it slowly together!
From Shiga Kogen Beer, the brewery in Yamanouchi, Nagano Prefecture, comes a new addition to the barrel-aged Yamabushi series: "Wood-Barrel-Aged Yamabushi ume dark 500ml can."
In this announcement, the base brew was first primary-fermented in stainless tanks for four months with a mixed culture. It was then aged for 34 months in Ichiro's Malt barrels, a time-intensive process that reflects the brewery's signature approach. In addition, the brewery added hand-picked plums, layering fruit character over the depth developed through aging.
In terms of brewing context, it is also important that this batch is a direct continuation of the company’s "Wood-Barrel-Aged Yamabushi ore no sake ga nome ne no ka". For fans of the series, this is a release that lets them follow the lineage of barrel-aged Yamabushi, while for first-time drinkers it serves as an entry point into Shiga Kogen Beer's expression of "aging and fermentation."
Rooted in the mountainous environment around it, Shiga Kogen Beer has earned praise not only for its bright hop character, but also for beer-making that uses time as an ally. This "ume dark" should be interesting both as a beer to savor slowly after a meal and as a comparative tasting target for those already familiar with aged beers. Including changes in condition inside the can, it will also be worth enjoying the differences in impression depending on when it is opened.
Information may be inaccurate. Please refer to the venue’s official channels for the latest details.
Hop BroToday’s new arrival is pretty wild: Shiga Kogen Beer’s latest release is here. Their barrel-aged Yamabushi "ume dark" 500ml can is out!
MugiWhoa! The name alone sounds intense! What is ume dark? Is it plum? Is it dark?
Hop BroThe thing is, this is a limited release in the barrel-aged Yamabushi series, and it’s the kind that undergoes primary fermentation with mixed culture before being aged for a long time.
MugiWhat?! Mixed-culture primary fermentation? That sounds like a science lab experiment, and I’m scared!
Hop BroBasically, it’s a fermentation method that uses a combination of yeasts and microbes instead of just one. This batch spent four months in stainless tanks, then 34 months in Ichiro's Malt barrels.
Mugi34 months!? That’s like a whole drama series! And they even added hand-picked plums? That’s an insane amount of work!
Hop BroExactly. It’s designed to layer fruit character over the depth that comes from aging. And the fact that it’s a continuation of the ore no sake lineage is what really hits the enthusiast nerve.
MugiOhhh! So for people following the series, it’s a major event, and for first-timers it’s an entry point into aging and fermentation!
Hop BroExactly. It’s great for taking your time after a meal, and because the beer can change in the can, the timing of when you open it is part of the fun too.
MugiIt’s decided! Tonight I’m getting a glass ready, and I want to drink it slowly together!
