Okhotsk Beer Factory Begins Online Sales of 31st Anniversary Hazy IPA
Okhotsk Beer Factory in Kitami, Hokkaido, began online sales of its limited-brew "special beer," created to celebrate the brewery's 31st anniversary, on February 20, 2026. In-house service had already started on February 13, drawing attention as a commemorative pour marking the milestone.
Hop BroOkhotsk Beer Factory in Kitami, Hokkaido, released a limited "special beer" for its 31st anniversary, and it's a Hazy IPA! Online sales started on February 20, 2026.
MugiWait, 31 years is amazing! So that means it's a long-established brewery!?
Hop BroExactly. They started operating on March 17, 1995, so they've really built up a lot of history. And in-house service had already started ahead of the online release on February 13.
MugiWhoa! Being able to drink it at the shop first and then buy it at home later is the best!
Hop BroWhat's especially interesting about this beer is that it uses biotransformation during fermentation to give the hop aroma more depth. It's juicy, but the bitterness is gentle, and that's the key point.
MugiWhat is that! Biotrans...forma...tion!? Is that the thing where it transforms into a robot!?
Hop BroClose! It's a technique where yeast transforms hop aroma compounds in a nice way to enhance the floral aroma. And the haze isn't made by yeast either - it's created from ingredient proteins and hop polyphenols.
MugiWait, so the haze isn't just for looks? It actually affects how soft it feels in the mouth!? This is suddenly a science class, but it sounds delicious!
Hop BroIt's easy to drink from the specs too. Top-fermented, 5.5% ABV, 330 ml, recommended at 7-9°C. Available in 4-, 6-, 8-, and 12-bottle sets, with the 4-bottle set priced at 2,785 yen including tax. It also pairs well with grilled chicken, roast pork, spicy dishes, and citrus desserts.
MugiIt's decided! I'll handle the spicy dishes, and Big Hop Brother, you handle keeping it crisp at 7-9°C! I want to drink this 31st-anniversary beer right now!
Okhotsk Beer Factory released its anniversary-brewed "special beer" to mark its 31st anniversary since opening on March 17, 1995. Following an announcement on its news page, sales began on the official online shop on February 20, 2026.
This time, the style is Hazy IPA (Juicy IPA). The beer is designed to take advantage of biotransformation, in which yeast during fermentation transforms hop aromas, bringing out a vibrant, layered aroma. While it has the hop character typical of an IPA, the bitterness is kept gentle, with an emphasis on balancing aroma and drinkability.
The haze has its own distinctive approach as well. According to the explanation, the haze is not yeast-derived, but formed through the interaction of ingredient-derived proteins and hop-derived polyphenols. The goal is a finish that feels soft on the palate and cohesive in flavor, as expected from a Hazy IPA.
The main specifications listed on the online product page are as follows.
- Fermentation method: Top fermentation
- Alcohol by volume: 5.5%
- Contents: 330 ml
- Best-before period: 60 days
- Recommended serving temperature: 7-9°C
Sales are limited in quantity. The lineup includes 4-bottle, 6-bottle, 8-bottle, and 12-bottle sets (with a special box), and as of the time of publication, the 4-bottle set is priced at 2,785 yen including tax. Suggested food pairings include grilled chicken, roast pork, spicy dishes, and citrus-based desserts.
Based in Yamashita-cho, Kitami, Hokkaido, the brewery has long served freshly brewed craft beer as a facility that combines a restaurant and a brewery in one. Backed by 31 years of history, this looks like an effort to share the brewery's local expertise and experience with the rest of the country in the form of a commemorative beer.
Information may be inaccurate. Please refer to the brewery’s official channels for the latest details.
Hop BroOkhotsk Beer Factory in Kitami, Hokkaido, released a limited "special beer" for its 31st anniversary, and it's a Hazy IPA! Online sales started on February 20, 2026.
MugiWait, 31 years is amazing! So that means it's a long-established brewery!?
Hop BroExactly. They started operating on March 17, 1995, so they've really built up a lot of history. And in-house service had already started ahead of the online release on February 13.
MugiWhoa! Being able to drink it at the shop first and then buy it at home later is the best!
Hop BroWhat's especially interesting about this beer is that it uses biotransformation during fermentation to give the hop aroma more depth. It's juicy, but the bitterness is gentle, and that's the key point.
MugiWhat is that! Biotrans...forma...tion!? Is that the thing where it transforms into a robot!?
Hop BroClose! It's a technique where yeast transforms hop aroma compounds in a nice way to enhance the floral aroma. And the haze isn't made by yeast either - it's created from ingredient proteins and hop polyphenols.
MugiWait, so the haze isn't just for looks? It actually affects how soft it feels in the mouth!? This is suddenly a science class, but it sounds delicious!
Hop BroIt's easy to drink from the specs too. Top-fermented, 5.5% ABV, 330 ml, recommended at 7-9°C. Available in 4-, 6-, 8-, and 12-bottle sets, with the 4-bottle set priced at 2,785 yen including tax. It also pairs well with grilled chicken, roast pork, spicy dishes, and citrus desserts.
MugiIt's decided! I'll handle the spicy dishes, and Big Hop Brother, you handle keeping it crisp at 7-9°C! I want to drink this 31st-anniversary beer right now!
