Himitsu Beer Reissues RICE HACK, a RICE IPA with Home-Grown Koshihikari
In a July 9 post, the Ise, Mie-based brewery announced the return of its flagship RICE HACK. The 5% RICE IPA uses plenty of home-grown Koshihikari, and this batch adds some European hops. The brewery also shared that aphids have been damaging its chili and pepper crops.
Hop BroToday I want to talk about Himitsu Beer in Ise, Mie. Their flagship RICE HACK just came back in an updated release.
MugiWhat! RICE HACK already sounds intense. What kind of beer is it?
Hop BroIt’s a Rice IPA, brewed with lots of homegrown Koshihikari rice so the body stays light while the hop aroma takes the lead.
MugiWhoa! But Rice IPA is making my brain panic. Is this beer, or is this somehow lunch?
Hop BroThat’s the fun part. It’s built to be crushable and light, the kind of beer you can keep sipping without effort.
MugiCrushable...? That is a super-move sounding word. So basically, it means easy to gulp down?
Hop BroExactly. It’s also just 5% ABV, so you can picture it ice-cold in a pint glass on a hot summer day.
MugiThat sounds perfect! And this version uses European hops too? How does that change the flavor?
Hop BroThe core is still American-hop citrus, but they layered in spicy grassy notes from European hops to sharpen it up for summer.
MugiOh wow! If it goes with seasonal sea bass, that’s perfect with fish dishes. And hearing about the aphids hitting their peppers and nearby green peppers makes me want to drink it even more.
Hop BroThat farm-to-glass mindset is what makes them feel like Himitsu Beer, and the homegrown Koshihikari rice really comes through.
MugiThat settles it. I want an ice-cold summer RICE HACK right now, preferably with your full commentary on the side!
In a July 9 Instagram post, Himitsu Beer said it has released the latest version of its flagship beer, RICE HACK. The brewery also noted that aphids have been hitting its chili plants hard, with nearby bell peppers affected as well, underscoring how important crop protection is during the season.
RICE HACK at a glance
- ABV: 5%
- Style: RICE IPA
- Made with a large amount of home-grown Koshihikari rice
- This batch includes some European hops
Based in Ise, Mie, Himitsu Beer has built its lineup around ingredients grown by the brewery itself and from the local area. With RICE HACK, the brewery uses enough rice to sit right at the edge of what can still be called beer, creating a lighter body that lets hop aroma come through more directly. In this batch, a portion of European hops adds a spicy, grassy nuance suited to summer, while the core of the flavor remains bright and citrusy thanks to American hops.
The result is a light, crushable beer that is meant to be enjoyed cold from a pint glass. The brewery also suggests pairing it with food, including fish dishes such as grilled sea bass. It is a straightforward example of Himitsu Beer’s ingredient-driven approach, and a timely summer release for drinkers looking for something easy to enjoy.
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 in Ise, Mie. Their flagship RICE HACK just came back in an updated release.
MugiWhat! RICE HACK already sounds intense. What kind of beer is it?
Hop BroIt’s a Rice IPA, brewed with lots of homegrown Koshihikari rice so the body stays light while the hop aroma takes the lead.
MugiWhoa! But Rice IPA is making my brain panic. Is this beer, or is this somehow lunch?
Hop BroThat’s the fun part. It’s built to be crushable and light, the kind of beer you can keep sipping without effort.
MugiCrushable...? That is a super-move sounding word. So basically, it means easy to gulp down?
Hop BroExactly. It’s also just 5% ABV, so you can picture it ice-cold in a pint glass on a hot summer day.
MugiThat sounds perfect! And this version uses European hops too? How does that change the flavor?
Hop BroThe core is still American-hop citrus, but they layered in spicy grassy notes from European hops to sharpen it up for summer.
MugiOh wow! If it goes with seasonal sea bass, that’s perfect with fish dishes. And hearing about the aphids hitting their peppers and nearby green peppers makes me want to drink it even more.
Hop BroThat farm-to-glass mindset is what makes them feel like Himitsu Beer, and the homegrown Koshihikari rice really comes through.
MugiThat settles it. I want an ice-cold summer RICE HACK right now, preferably with your full commentary on the side!
