Hikone Beer Celebrates Hikonyan's 20th Anniversary, Drawing Attention to Its Flagship 'Hikonyan Ale'
Hikone Beer (Hikone Beer) Arakojiyama Brewery announced on Instagram, "Congratulations on Hikonyan's 20th anniversary 🎉..." Its flagship beer, "Hikonyan Ale," an award-winning brew made with local ingredients, is once again standing out.
Hop BroToday, we're talking about how Hikone Beer (Hikone Beer) Arakojiyama Brewery celebrated Hikonyan's 20th anniversary.
MugiWhoa, Hikonyan, that local mascot!? 20 years is incredible!
Hop BroIt is. The brewery is at the western foot of Arakojiyama in Ishidera-cho, Hikone City, and it opened Arakojiyama Brewery in 2021. You can really feel how much it values its ties to the local community.
MugiHuh! But how does that show up in the beer? What does the story of the local area mean?
Hop BroThe flagship Hikonyan Ale is exactly that. It uses locally produced barley malt and wheat malt to create a gently sweet, soft flavor.
MugiWhat is that, it sounds delicious! Does gently sweet mean it's gentle even though it's beer?
Hop BroYeah, instead of going hard on the bitterness, it brings out the soft character of the malt. And with Hikonyan on the label, it's also popular as a souvenir.
MugiAnd it's not just about the look! An award-winning beer? That's a little too serious, isn't it?
Hop BroIt won gold in the Japanese Beer category at the Feminalise World Wine Competition 2024 and silver at the JAPAN GREAT BEER AWARDS 2024. Seeing gold and silver side by side makes you want to stand a little taller, doesn't it?
MugiAnd the red and white labels are exclusive to the online shop! If there are even limited-edition labels, I want to go look for them right away!
Hop BroIncluding the post celebrating Hikonyan's 20th anniversary, it's packed with local pride. Today makes me want to toast with Hikonyan Ale.
MugiYeah, I want to celebrate with a drink from Hikone! The moment you taste it, it feels like you might meet Hikonyan!
On March 30, 2026, a post celebrating Hikonyan's 20th anniversary was published on the Instagram account of Hikone Beer (Hikone Beer) Arakojiyama Brewery. Hikonyan is Hikone City's local mascot and a beloved part of the region. Given that the company makes a beer bearing that name, the post naturally conveys respect for the local community.
Hikone Beer is a brewery located in Ishidera-cho, Hikone City, Shiga Prefecture, at the western foot of Mt. Arakojiyama. It opened Arakojiyama Brewery in 2021 and is known for a building designed with the surrounding scenery in mind and for making products with a strong awareness of its ties to the local community. It is a brewery that has been sharing the story of Hikone through craft beer.
One of its flagship products, "Hikonyan Ale," uses locally grown barley malt and wheat malt and is characterized by a gently sweet, soft flavor. Hikonyan is featured on the label, and the beer is also popular as a souvenir. It has also won awards, including a gold medal in the Japanese Beer category at the Feminalise World Wine Competition 2024 and a silver medal at the JAPAN GREAT BEER AWARDS 2024. With its red and white label available only through the online shop, it is a beer that combines local character and a playful spirit.
Information may be inaccurate. Please refer to the brewery’s official channels for the latest details.
Hop BroToday, we're talking about how Hikone Beer (Hikone Beer) Arakojiyama Brewery celebrated Hikonyan's 20th anniversary.
MugiWhoa, Hikonyan, that local mascot!? 20 years is incredible!
Hop BroIt is. The brewery is at the western foot of Arakojiyama in Ishidera-cho, Hikone City, and it opened Arakojiyama Brewery in 2021. You can really feel how much it values its ties to the local community.
MugiHuh! But how does that show up in the beer? What does the story of the local area mean?
Hop BroThe flagship Hikonyan Ale is exactly that. It uses locally produced barley malt and wheat malt to create a gently sweet, soft flavor.
MugiWhat is that, it sounds delicious! Does gently sweet mean it's gentle even though it's beer?
Hop BroYeah, instead of going hard on the bitterness, it brings out the soft character of the malt. And with Hikonyan on the label, it's also popular as a souvenir.
MugiAnd it's not just about the look! An award-winning beer? That's a little too serious, isn't it?
Hop BroIt won gold in the Japanese Beer category at the Feminalise World Wine Competition 2024 and silver at the JAPAN GREAT BEER AWARDS 2024. Seeing gold and silver side by side makes you want to stand a little taller, doesn't it?
MugiAnd the red and white labels are exclusive to the online shop! If there are even limited-edition labels, I want to go look for them right away!
Hop BroIncluding the post celebrating Hikonyan's 20th anniversary, it's packed with local pride. Today makes me want to toast with Hikonyan Ale.
MugiYeah, I want to celebrate with a drink from Hikone! The moment you taste it, it feels like you might meet Hikonyan!
