Hansharo Beer Announces "Izu Banana Pils" Made with Green Bananas from Atagawa Banana Crocodile Garden
Hansharo Beer, based in Izunokuni City, Shizuoka, has unveiled a collaboration beer with Atagawa Banana Crocodile Garden: "Izu Banana Pils." It uses a green banana puree derived from Taiwanese bananas grown with geothermal heat, and is presented as a beer that balances pilsner-like crispness with fruitiness.
Hop BroToday's highlight is Hansharo Beer's new release. It's "Izu Banana Pils," made in collaboration with Atagawa Banana Crocodile Garden, and it's packed with Izu character.
MugiAtagawa Banana Crocodile Garden?! That's a lot of information just from the name! What kind of flavor does a banana collaboration beer have?
Hop BroThat's the interesting part: the style still keeps the crispness of a proper pilsner. And the key point is that it uses green banana grown with geothermal heat as an adjunct.
MugiGreen banana means the kind that's not ripe yet, right? It sounds sweet, but I can't quite picture banana in a pilsner!
Hop BroExactly. The variety is Senninsho, and the aroma apparently brings out not just banana but also a hint of apple. The hop is Hallertau Mittelfrüh, which keeps the aroma refined too.
MugiHoller-something Mittel-something! I thought it was a tongue twister! The hop name is hard, but basically it's the fresh, refreshing part, right?
Hop BroThat's right. With 5.0% ABV and an IBU of 15, it's light and easygoing, not too bitter, and designed to finish cleanly after the fruitiness.
MugiWow, that sounds like something you could just keep drinking! And the look, a clear, bright yellow, is already giving off major summer vibes.
Hop BroAnd since Atagawa Banio-kun appears on the label too, it has plenty of playfulness as well. It really balances a tourism feel with craft character.
MugiIf I pair it with the banana chips the official recommends, I feel like I wouldn't be able to stop! If it's easy to drink with restrained sweetness, maybe I could even have it with dinner.
Hop BroExactly. What makes it great is how Izu's ingredients and personality are all brought together in one glass. This is the kind of limited pilsner that makes you want to drink in the scenery of Izu, too.
MugiYeah, I'm totally in the mood to drink now! The name and the contents are both unfair, in the best way. I want to toast right now!
A limited pilsner packed with Izu character
Hansharo Beer, which brews craft beer in Izunokuni City, Shizuoka, has unveiled a limited-edition beer, "Izu Banana Pils," in collaboration with Atagawa Banana Crocodile Garden. Hansharo Beer is a brewery founded in 1997 in Nirayama, Izu, and has continued to make beers that make use of local ingredients and the character of the region.
This new release is a pilsner made with bananas grown by Atagawa Banana Crocodile Garden using geothermal heat. As the name suggests, it highlights the aroma of green bananas while delivering a clean, lager-like finish. The beer style is pilsner, the hop is Hallertau Mittelfrüh, the alcohol content is 5.0%, and the IBU is 15. It will be available in 350 ml cans, as well as 10 L and 15 L kegs.
According to the tasting notes, the appearance is a "clear, bright yellow." The aroma carries banana along with hints of apple, and as you keep drinking, tropical nuances and the crispness of malt emerge. The flavor moves from fruitiness to hop freshness, finishing with a clean aftertaste. The adjunct used is green banana from Atagawa Banana Crocodile Garden, variety Senninsho. The label also features the mascot character "Atagawa Banio," adding a playful touch unique to this collaboration.
As for food pairings, the official recommendation is banana chips with restrained sweetness. Because the beer is designed to retain pilsner-like lightness while still suggesting fruit, it should be easy to enjoy as a beer with meals. This is a limited release that brings together Izu's ingredients, tourism appeal, and the individuality of craft beer in one glass, making it well worth watching.
Information may be inaccurate. Please refer to the brewery’s official channels for the latest details.
Hop BroToday's highlight is Hansharo Beer's new release. It's "Izu Banana Pils," made in collaboration with Atagawa Banana Crocodile Garden, and it's packed with Izu character.
MugiAtagawa Banana Crocodile Garden?! That's a lot of information just from the name! What kind of flavor does a banana collaboration beer have?
Hop BroThat's the interesting part: the style still keeps the crispness of a proper pilsner. And the key point is that it uses green banana grown with geothermal heat as an adjunct.
MugiGreen banana means the kind that's not ripe yet, right? It sounds sweet, but I can't quite picture banana in a pilsner!
Hop BroExactly. The variety is Senninsho, and the aroma apparently brings out not just banana but also a hint of apple. The hop is Hallertau Mittelfrüh, which keeps the aroma refined too.
MugiHoller-something Mittel-something! I thought it was a tongue twister! The hop name is hard, but basically it's the fresh, refreshing part, right?
Hop BroThat's right. With 5.0% ABV and an IBU of 15, it's light and easygoing, not too bitter, and designed to finish cleanly after the fruitiness.
MugiWow, that sounds like something you could just keep drinking! And the look, a clear, bright yellow, is already giving off major summer vibes.
Hop BroAnd since Atagawa Banio-kun appears on the label too, it has plenty of playfulness as well. It really balances a tourism feel with craft character.
MugiIf I pair it with the banana chips the official recommends, I feel like I wouldn't be able to stop! If it's easy to drink with restrained sweetness, maybe I could even have it with dinner.
Hop BroExactly. What makes it great is how Izu's ingredients and personality are all brought together in one glass. This is the kind of limited pilsner that makes you want to drink in the scenery of Izu, too.
MugiYeah, I'm totally in the mood to drink now! The name and the contents are both unfair, in the best way. I want to toast right now!
