Himitsu Beer highlights a Hokkaido trip and its summer watermelon IPA
Himitsu Beer from Ise, Mie, shared a Hokkaido trip on Instagram alongside its summer “Suika IPA.” The post mentions a winery visit, local food, historic buildings, and a refreshed version of last year’s Watermelon IPA.
Hop BroToday I want to talk about Himitsu Beer from Ise, Mie, and their summer release called "Suika IPA."
MugiWait, a beer called Suika IPA!? That sounds like a festival and a beer bar smashed together!
Hop BroIt’s a Watermelon IPA at 5.5% ABV, and this year’s version tweaks the one that was already popular last year.
MugiNo way, Watermelon IPA actually works? I always think of IPA as bitter first and fruit second!
Hop BroThat’s the clever part. They made it a lighter body this year and dialed the alcohol down a touch so the watermelon can stand out.
MugiHold on, a lighter body? What does that mean, the beer skipped leg day?
Hop BroBasically, it means an easier, breezier mouthfeel. And with the hop combination, they pull out that delicate watermelon aroma.
MugiAnd it’s not just watermelon? Melon and berry too? That sounds like a summer fruit basket in a glass!
Hop BroThe post also shared their trip through Hokkaido, including a winery visit, local ingredients, and how surprised they were by the Hokkaido summer staying bright until around 8 p.m.
MugiI love that. It feels like a beer carrying the trip with it, totally a summer-ready pour for the beach or hanging out with friends.
Hop BroIt really fits Himitsu Beer’s idea of building a place to belong, and now I just want to chill one and toast by the sea.
MugiThat settles it. A cold barbecue beer like this sounds like the official start of summer to me!
A trip to Hokkaido, and a seasonal beer
Himitsu Beer, the brewery based in Ise City, Mie, posted about a recent trip to Hokkaido. In the caption, the team said they visited a friend’s winery, ate local food, and spent time around historic buildings. They also noted how striking it was that Hokkaido stayed bright until around 8 p.m., a detail that gave the post a clear sense of place.
The post also introduced the brewery’s summer release, Suika IPA. Listed at 5.5% ABV and styled as a Watermelon IPA, it returns after being popular last year. According to the brewery, this year’s version is a little lighter in body and slightly lower in alcohol. The hop bill was chosen to support the delicate character of watermelon, with aromas described as watermelon, melon, and berry.
Himitsu Beer has built its identity around being a “brewery that creates a place to belong,” and its work in Ise often ties beer to local ingredients and cultivated raw materials. This post follows that approach closely: a travel note, a seasonal fruit beer, and a suggestion that the beer fits summer settings such as outdoor gatherings and barbecues. For beer drinkers, it reads like a concise snapshot of how the brewery turns place and season into beer.
Information may be inaccurate. Please refer to the brewery’s official channels for the latest details.
Hop BroToday I want to talk about Himitsu Beer from Ise, Mie, and their summer release called "Suika IPA."
MugiWait, a beer called Suika IPA!? That sounds like a festival and a beer bar smashed together!
Hop BroIt’s a Watermelon IPA at 5.5% ABV, and this year’s version tweaks the one that was already popular last year.
MugiNo way, Watermelon IPA actually works? I always think of IPA as bitter first and fruit second!
Hop BroThat’s the clever part. They made it a lighter body this year and dialed the alcohol down a touch so the watermelon can stand out.
MugiHold on, a lighter body? What does that mean, the beer skipped leg day?
Hop BroBasically, it means an easier, breezier mouthfeel. And with the hop combination, they pull out that delicate watermelon aroma.
MugiAnd it’s not just watermelon? Melon and berry too? That sounds like a summer fruit basket in a glass!
Hop BroThe post also shared their trip through Hokkaido, including a winery visit, local ingredients, and how surprised they were by the Hokkaido summer staying bright until around 8 p.m.
MugiI love that. It feels like a beer carrying the trip with it, totally a summer-ready pour for the beach or hanging out with friends.
Hop BroIt really fits Himitsu Beer’s idea of building a place to belong, and now I just want to chill one and toast by the sea.
MugiThat settles it. A cold barbecue beer like this sounds like the official start of summer to me!
