Iwanai Brewery & Hotel Releases Seasonal Iwanai Fresh Hop Hazy
Iwanai Brewery & Hotel in Iwanai, Hokkaido, has introduced Iwanai Fresh Hop Hazy, a seasonal beer brewed with locally grown fresh hops. The beer is presented as a hazy IPA showcasing the character of hops harvested near the brewery.
Hop BroA seasonal beer called Iwanai Fresh Hop Hazy has arrived from Iwanai, Hokkaido.
MugiWhat? Does fresh hop mean the hops are still alive and kicking!?
Hop BroPretty much. Iwanai Brewery & Hotel brews it with locally grown hops within 24 hours of harvest.
MugiWithin 24 hours!? Those hops have a seriously urgent appointment with the brew kettle!
Hop BroExactly. That speed draws out a juicy aroma unlike dried hops—the real magic of fresh hops.
MugiNice! But what is a Hazy IPA? That name sounds like a spell in the fog!
Hop Bro“Hazy” means cloudy. It pairs IPA-style hop bitterness with a soft, fruity character and a naturally misty look.
MugiGot it! Strong bitterness makes me a little nervous, but this sounds like an easy, tasty adventure.
Hop BroAnd Iwanai is known as a historic hop discovery site: wild hops were found there in 1871. They also use local deep-ocean water in brewing.
MugiSo much local history and flavor in one glass. I want it with fresh seafood from Iwanai while looking at the tanks!
Hop BroThat’s the dream. Summer-picked aroma enjoyed in autumn—this limited seasonal Hazy IPA makes me want a toast.
MugiCheers! I want to breathe in that fresh-hop aroma. Let’s go drink in Iwanai!
Iwanai Brewery & Hotel in Iwanai, Hokkaido, is offering its seasonal beer, Iwanai Fresh Hop Hazy.
The beer’s defining feature is the use of fresh hops grown near Iwanai and added to the brew without being dried. The brewery began cultivating hops at a nearby farm in 2021. According to the brewery’s official information, the hops are harvested each summer and brewed within 24 hours, helping preserve a vivid, fresh hop aroma that differs from the character of dried hops.
The beer is described as a hazy IPA. Alongside hop bitterness, the style is known for a cloudy appearance and a softer, fruit-forward profile. Iwanai Fresh Hop Hazy therefore offers a seasonal expression of the local hop harvest, with the aroma of fresh hops at the center.
Iwanai is also known as the place where wild hops were discovered in Hokkaido in 1871 by American mining engineer and chemist Thomas Antisell during a geological survey. At Iwanai Brewery & Hotel, brewing takes place in this historic “birthplace of hops,” using selected malt and hops as well as deep ocean water from Iwanai. The brewery produces four core beers—pilsner, IPA, pale ale, and stout—alongside seasonal releases.
The facility includes a beer bar and accommodation, allowing visitors to enjoy beer while viewing the brewing tanks. For beer lovers interested in fresh-hop character, Iwanai Fresh Hop Hazy is a seasonal release that connects the brewery’s beers with the landscape and brewing heritage of Iwanai.
Information may be inaccurate. Please refer to the brewery’s official channels for the latest details.
Hop BroA seasonal beer called Iwanai Fresh Hop Hazy has arrived from Iwanai, Hokkaido.
MugiWhat? Does fresh hop mean the hops are still alive and kicking!?
Hop BroPretty much. Iwanai Brewery & Hotel brews it with locally grown hops within 24 hours of harvest.
MugiWithin 24 hours!? Those hops have a seriously urgent appointment with the brew kettle!
Hop BroExactly. That speed draws out a juicy aroma unlike dried hops—the real magic of fresh hops.
MugiNice! But what is a Hazy IPA? That name sounds like a spell in the fog!
Hop Bro“Hazy” means cloudy. It pairs IPA-style hop bitterness with a soft, fruity character and a naturally misty look.
MugiGot it! Strong bitterness makes me a little nervous, but this sounds like an easy, tasty adventure.
Hop BroAnd Iwanai is known as a historic hop discovery site: wild hops were found there in 1871. They also use local deep-ocean water in brewing.
MugiSo much local history and flavor in one glass. I want it with fresh seafood from Iwanai while looking at the tanks!
Hop BroThat’s the dream. Summer-picked aroma enjoyed in autumn—this limited seasonal Hazy IPA makes me want a toast.
MugiCheers! I want to breathe in that fresh-hop aroma. Let’s go drink in Iwanai!
