Hansharo Beer Releases Limited Pale Ale "Freshly Picked Green Tea Ale" Made with New Tea from Shizuoka
Hansharo Beer in Izunokuni City, Shizuoka Prefecture, has announced a limited-edition beer, "Freshly Picked Green Tea Ale," made with new tea from "Nirayama Hansharo Chanoan," operated by its parent company Kuraya Narusawa. Using freshly processed new tea, it has been crafted into a Pale Ale that brings out a bright aroma and pleasant astringency.
Hop BroToday I want to introduce Hansharo Beer's limited release, Freshly Picked Green Tea Ale.
MugiWait, beer with tea in it!? Beer made with new tea is so hard to picture!
Hop BroAnd it's made right next to the World Heritage Site Nirayama Reverberatory Furnace in Izunokuni City, Shizuoka Prefecture, by Hansharo Beer.
MugiNot only do they make it right there, they even use tea leaves!? Kuraya Narusawa's new tea really shows some serious local pride!
Hop BroWhat I find interesting is that they used self-grown tea processed just this year, adding it during the whirlpool stage and again at the end of fermentation.
MugiWhirlpool? What is that, a spell!? So it means they add it during the hot stage?
Hop BroExactly. They add tea aroma at high temperature, then later add more aromatic tea leaves, so even though it's a Pale Ale, it gets real depth of flavor.
MugiOhhh! And with 5% ABV and that cloudy orange appearance, it already sounds delicious before even drinking it!
Hop BroThe top note is a green aroma, and as you keep drinking the hops and new tea overlap, finishing with tea-derived astringency and umami that gradually comes through.
MugiThat sounds amazing! Paired with grilled rice balls coated in miso, it would make a seriously tasty drink with dinner!
Hop BroExactly. Since it's a beer that turns local ingredients into the brew itself, today I'd love to talk with a glass of this limited new-tea pale ale in hand.
MugiNow I completely want to drink it! That's what full-on local character means at Hansharo Beer!
Hansharo Beer is a craft beer maker founded in 1997 by Kuraya Narusawa right next to the World Heritage Site of the Nirayama Reverberatory Furnace. Backed by its work running a sake brewery, tea fields, and a tea shop, it has created many limited beers that make use of local ingredients. This "Freshly Picked Green Tea Ale" is another brew that clearly expresses the character of its place.
This beer uses new tea manufactured and sold by Kuraya Narusawa under the "Nirayama Hansharo Chanoan" brand. What's more, it generously incorporates self-grown new tea that was just processed this year. During brewing, strongly fired tea leaves were added in the high-temperature whirlpool stage, and late in fermentation more aromatic new tea was layered in, giving the flavor greater depth. The base is a Pale Ale, and the alcohol content is 5%. Even the hop usage, which supports the green-tea nuances, naturally draws out the tea character.
The tasting notes describe a cloudy orange appearance, with a green aroma rising from the top and the hop and new-tea aromas overlapping more and more as you drink. The flavor is calm on the palate at first, then the tea-derived astringency and umami spread midway through. It would also pair well with grilled rice balls coated in miso if you're matching it with a strongly flavored dish.
For Hansharo Beer, tea itself is part of the identity of the land. Because of Kuraya Narusawa's long background in tea cultivation and production, it has been able to create a beer that balances satisfying drinkability with the freshness of new tea.
Information may be inaccurate. Please refer to the brewery’s official channels for the latest details.
Hop BroToday I want to introduce Hansharo Beer's limited release, Freshly Picked Green Tea Ale.
MugiWait, beer with tea in it!? Beer made with new tea is so hard to picture!
Hop BroAnd it's made right next to the World Heritage Site Nirayama Reverberatory Furnace in Izunokuni City, Shizuoka Prefecture, by Hansharo Beer.
MugiNot only do they make it right there, they even use tea leaves!? Kuraya Narusawa's new tea really shows some serious local pride!
Hop BroWhat I find interesting is that they used self-grown tea processed just this year, adding it during the whirlpool stage and again at the end of fermentation.
MugiWhirlpool? What is that, a spell!? So it means they add it during the hot stage?
Hop BroExactly. They add tea aroma at high temperature, then later add more aromatic tea leaves, so even though it's a Pale Ale, it gets real depth of flavor.
MugiOhhh! And with 5% ABV and that cloudy orange appearance, it already sounds delicious before even drinking it!
Hop BroThe top note is a green aroma, and as you keep drinking the hops and new tea overlap, finishing with tea-derived astringency and umami that gradually comes through.
MugiThat sounds amazing! Paired with grilled rice balls coated in miso, it would make a seriously tasty drink with dinner!
Hop BroExactly. Since it's a beer that turns local ingredients into the brew itself, today I'd love to talk with a glass of this limited new-tea pale ale in hand.
MugiNow I completely want to drink it! That's what full-on local character means at Hansharo Beer!
