Hop Kotan Brewing Unveils April Limited Releases 'Full Throttle' and 'Ignition'
Hop Kotan Brewing in Kamifurano, Hokkaido, has added the American IPA "Full Throttle" and the Session IPL "Ignition" to April's FREEDOMS lineup. Both beers are designed to showcase hop character, with clearly different drinking profiles.
Hop BroToday, I’ve got two new April releases from Hop Kotan Brewing in Kamifurano, Hokkaido. Added to FREEDOMS are Full Throttle, an American IPA, and Ignition, a Session IPL. Both put hops center stage, but their personalities are quite different.
MugiWhoa! So these are two hop-forward beers? That sounds like the kind that hits you with a huge burst of aroma, right? But American IPA and Session IPL sound intense just from the names, so I’m a little intimidated!
Hop BroFirst up, Full Throttle is an American IPA built on Nelson Sauvin and layered with Zaapa. Double dry hopping really pushes the aroma forward, bringing out white-grape-like notes, herbal tones, and even tropical character.
MugiDouble dry hopping? What even is that! I get that it’s a brewing method that pulls out aroma, but does doing it twice really make that much of a difference? I already feel like a hop wind is blowing through my room!
Hop BroExactly. It’s a method where hops are added after fermentation to layer in stronger aroma. Full Throttle is 6.0% ABV and 60 IBU, so it has a sharp, vivid bitterness. It feels even crisper than the numbers suggest, so it’s for people who want to really taste the edges of the hops.
MugiIBU 60 sounds like my tongue should brace itself already! It feels like a big bitterness kind of beer. White-grape aroma with bitterness sounds like such a fun contrast!
Hop BroMeanwhile, Ignition is a pale-gold Session IPL. With a simple 100% Pilsner malt bill, it combines Simcoe and Motueka to balance lightness and character. They even switch between T-90 pellets and concentrated hops at different stages, carefully drawing out aroma while keeping the grassy notes down.
MugiT-90 pellets sounds like a whole other technical term! Do different hop formats really change the flavor that much? This is starting to feel like a lab, and I think I’ve gotten a little smarter just by hearing about it!
Hop BroBasically, the way hops are used changes how the aroma comes through. Ignition is 4.5% ABV and 40 IBU, and its appeal is the lime-like citrus character and dry finish. It isn’t heavy, and it goes down smoothly.
MugiOhhh! A clean, snappy finish sounds perfect for a hot day too. I want both of them now - Full Throttle for a deep hop hit, and Ignition for a lighter finish!
Hop BroThat’s exactly what makes Hop Kotan Brewing feel so true to itself. They take the hops grown in Kamifurano and keep turning out a pair of contrasting beers. I’d start with Full Throttle for a full-on hop punch, then use Ignition to reset the palate.
MugiWow, that sounds incredible! These are two beers I’d definitely want to compare side by side. I want to get hit by Full Throttle first, then land cleanly with Ignition! Let’s go to the beer bar right now!
April's new releases put hops in the spotlight
Hop Kotan Brewing, based in Kamifurano, Hokkaido, has unveiled new beers as the April release for its limited series, "HOP KOTAN FREEDOMS." The two additions are Full Throttle (American IPA) and Ignition (Session IPL). Both are built around the brewery's signature hop-driven character.
Full Throttle
Full Throttle is an American IPA built on Nelson Sauvin and blended with Zaapa. Double dry hopping brings out the aroma, layering white-grape-like fruitiness with herbal notes and tropical nuances. It has an ABV of 6.0% and an IBU of 60, and is said to finish with a bitterness that feels even more vivid than the numbers suggest. It is a beer for people who want to clearly taste the outline of the hops.
Ignition
On the other hand, Ignition is a pale gold Session IPL. With a simple malt bill of 100% Pilsner malt and a combination of Simcoe and Motueka, it balances lightness with hop character. The brewery uses standard T-90 pellets and concentrated hops at different stages of the process, carefully drawing out aroma while keeping grassy notes in check. At 4.5% ABV and 40 IBU, it stands out for its bright citrus character reminiscent of lime and its crisp, dry finish.
Diverse expressions from Kamifurano
Hop Kotan Brewing is based in Kamifurano, Hokkaido, and focuses on making beer that makes use of locally grown hops. With the town being the only place in Hokkaido where hops are commercially cultivated, the brewery works across a wide range of styles, from core beers to limited releases. These two new beers are a good reflection of that approach. If you want the depth of hop aroma, choose Full Throttle; if you want lightness and a clean finish, choose Ignition. They are a contrasting pair that makes it easy for drinkers to pick according to their taste.
Information may be inaccurate. Please refer to the brewery’s official channels for the latest details.
Hop BroToday, I’ve got two new April releases from Hop Kotan Brewing in Kamifurano, Hokkaido. Added to FREEDOMS are Full Throttle, an American IPA, and Ignition, a Session IPL. Both put hops center stage, but their personalities are quite different.
MugiWhoa! So these are two hop-forward beers? That sounds like the kind that hits you with a huge burst of aroma, right? But American IPA and Session IPL sound intense just from the names, so I’m a little intimidated!
Hop BroFirst up, Full Throttle is an American IPA built on Nelson Sauvin and layered with Zaapa. Double dry hopping really pushes the aroma forward, bringing out white-grape-like notes, herbal tones, and even tropical character.
MugiDouble dry hopping? What even is that! I get that it’s a brewing method that pulls out aroma, but does doing it twice really make that much of a difference? I already feel like a hop wind is blowing through my room!
Hop BroExactly. It’s a method where hops are added after fermentation to layer in stronger aroma. Full Throttle is 6.0% ABV and 60 IBU, so it has a sharp, vivid bitterness. It feels even crisper than the numbers suggest, so it’s for people who want to really taste the edges of the hops.
MugiIBU 60 sounds like my tongue should brace itself already! It feels like a big bitterness kind of beer. White-grape aroma with bitterness sounds like such a fun contrast!
Hop BroMeanwhile, Ignition is a pale-gold Session IPL. With a simple 100% Pilsner malt bill, it combines Simcoe and Motueka to balance lightness and character. They even switch between T-90 pellets and concentrated hops at different stages, carefully drawing out aroma while keeping the grassy notes down.
MugiT-90 pellets sounds like a whole other technical term! Do different hop formats really change the flavor that much? This is starting to feel like a lab, and I think I’ve gotten a little smarter just by hearing about it!
Hop BroBasically, the way hops are used changes how the aroma comes through. Ignition is 4.5% ABV and 40 IBU, and its appeal is the lime-like citrus character and dry finish. It isn’t heavy, and it goes down smoothly.
MugiOhhh! A clean, snappy finish sounds perfect for a hot day too. I want both of them now - Full Throttle for a deep hop hit, and Ignition for a lighter finish!
Hop BroThat’s exactly what makes Hop Kotan Brewing feel so true to itself. They take the hops grown in Kamifurano and keep turning out a pair of contrasting beers. I’d start with Full Throttle for a full-on hop punch, then use Ignition to reset the palate.
MugiWow, that sounds incredible! These are two beers I’d definitely want to compare side by side. I want to get hit by Full Throttle first, then land cleanly with Ignition! Let’s go to the beer bar right now!
