Nara Brewing Announces First Stores for Green Tea Saison “EIGHTY EIGHT”
Nara Brewing Co., based in Nara City, has announced the first retail locations for EIGHTY EIGHT, a green tea saison made with Ichinokura Tea Farm in Tsukigase, a tea grower with 260 years of history. The beer uses first-picked tencha, plus Japanese hops and malt.
Hop BroToday's topic is Nara Brewing's new release, "EIGHTY EIGHT." It's a green tea saison made with Tea Farm Inokura, a tea grower in Tsukigase with 260 years of history.
MugiWhat! A green tea saison!? My brain just started toasting in the middle of a tea field!
Hop BroThat's why it's fun. They steeped first-harvest tencha, the tea used to make matcha, so the beer carries a soft tea character instead of just feeling gimmicky.
MugiHold on, first-harvest tencha? You switched into expert mode real fast. How is that different from regular green tea?
Hop BroTencha is the leaf before it becomes matcha, and first harvest means the earliest pick of the season. Basically, they're using pre-matcha VIP leaves in the brew.
MugiWhoa, that sounds fancy! And all-Japanese ingredients too? This beer is trying harder than I do before noon!
Hop BroYep, even the hops and malt are domestic. Shinshu Wase brings a lemon-and-kabosu aroma, with gentle bitterness and spicy notes from the saison yeast layered on top.
MugiWait, what is that? A spicy yeast character sounds like the beer grabbed a pepper grinder!
Hop BroNo pepper grinder involved. Those aromas come from fermentation, giving it a light body with a little herbal lift. And if you let it warm slightly, the tea character shows up even more clearly.
MugiOkay, I need that. One sip cold, one sip warmer... that's basically a two-round flavor show!
Hop BroAlso, as of June 27, the first shipment is going only to liquor shops across Sendai, Chiba, Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka, and Nara. Before heading out, check the shop first because arrival dates can vary.
MugiUnderstood! A beer that lets you drink local tea culture is too good to miss. I'm officially on EIGHTY EIGHT patrol, and if I find it, we're opening it right away!
Nara Brewing Co., based in Nara City, has announced the first retail locations for its collaboration beer, EIGHTY EIGHT.
Brewed with a historic tea farm
EIGHTY EIGHT is a green tea saison created with Tea Farm Ichinokura, a tea grower in Tsukigase, Nara, with a 260-year history. The beer is steeped with first-picked tea leaves of tencha, the raw material used for matcha, giving it a tea-driven softness and depth.
For this release, both the hops and malt are sourced entirely from Japan. The beer features Shinshu Wase hops, known for fresh citrus notes reminiscent of lemon and kabosu, along with a calm, refined bitterness. Saison yeast adds a spicy layer on top, resulting in a highly drinkable beer. According to the brewery, letting it warm slightly brings the tea character into sharper focus.
First shipping stores
As of June 27, the first shipment is limited to liquor retailers. The lineup spans a wide area, from Sendai and Chiba to Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka, and Nara. In Tokyo, the beer is going to specialty shops and department stores, while in Nara it will appear at local bottle shops and related venues. Since arrival dates and availability vary by store, checking ahead before visiting is recommended.
Nara Brewing Co. has built its identity around brewing in Nara and working with local ingredients and producers. EIGHTY EIGHT continues that approach by bringing together Nara's tea culture and contemporary craft beer in a single release.
Information may be inaccurate. Please refer to the brewery’s official channels for the latest details.
Hop BroToday's topic is Nara Brewing's new release, "EIGHTY EIGHT." It's a green tea saison made with Tea Farm Inokura, a tea grower in Tsukigase with 260 years of history.
MugiWhat! A green tea saison!? My brain just started toasting in the middle of a tea field!
Hop BroThat's why it's fun. They steeped first-harvest tencha, the tea used to make matcha, so the beer carries a soft tea character instead of just feeling gimmicky.
MugiHold on, first-harvest tencha? You switched into expert mode real fast. How is that different from regular green tea?
Hop BroTencha is the leaf before it becomes matcha, and first harvest means the earliest pick of the season. Basically, they're using pre-matcha VIP leaves in the brew.
MugiWhoa, that sounds fancy! And all-Japanese ingredients too? This beer is trying harder than I do before noon!
Hop BroYep, even the hops and malt are domestic. Shinshu Wase brings a lemon-and-kabosu aroma, with gentle bitterness and spicy notes from the saison yeast layered on top.
MugiWait, what is that? A spicy yeast character sounds like the beer grabbed a pepper grinder!
Hop BroNo pepper grinder involved. Those aromas come from fermentation, giving it a light body with a little herbal lift. And if you let it warm slightly, the tea character shows up even more clearly.
MugiOkay, I need that. One sip cold, one sip warmer... that's basically a two-round flavor show!
Hop BroAlso, as of June 27, the first shipment is going only to liquor shops across Sendai, Chiba, Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka, and Nara. Before heading out, check the shop first because arrival dates can vary.
MugiUnderstood! A beer that lets you drink local tea culture is too good to miss. I'm officially on EIGHTY EIGHT patrol, and if I find it, we're opening it right away!
