Shiga Kogen Beer releases SHIGA KOGEN IPA 2.03 and HELLES!? new batches
Shiga Kogen Beer in Yamanouchi, Nagano has rolled out new batches of SHIGA KOGEN IPA 2.03 Center of the Universe and SHIGA KOGEN HELLES!? The IPA comes in at 6.5% ABV and 40 IBU, while the Helles sits at 5% ABV and 15 IBU.
Hop BroToday's topic is Shiga Kogen's new batch. SHIGA KOGEN IPA 2.03 Center of the Universe and SHIGA KOGEN HELLES!? landed at the same time, and that's a pretty big deal.
MugiWhat! Two beers at once and one's an IPA while the other's a Helles? That feels like twins where only one of them does push-ups!
Hop BroThat's the fun part. IPA 2.03 comes in at 6.5% and 40 IBU, built on pilsner malt and pale Maris Otter, then layered with American hops, NZ varieties, and homegrown Cascade.
MugiHold on, the Maris Otter situation needs explaining! Is that a grain, a gentleman, or somebody's very classy pet?
Hop BroClassy name, but it's malt. Think of it as the beer's grain foundation. Then the hops stack on lemony citrus and a white-flower note, so the whole thing feels bright and dimensional.
MugiOoh, white-flower aroma sounds fancy. So what about HELLES!? The exclamation mark makes it look like it kicked the door open.
Hop BroFunny enough, it's the calm one. It's a 5% lager at 15 IBU, with no American hops at all, just traditional German aroma hops and homegrown Shinshu Wase, very faithful to the style.
MugiNo way! No American hops and it still sounds interesting? That is such a sneaky-with-dinner charmer.
Hop BroExactly. If the IPA is the attack, HELLES!? wins with a clean, composed finish. It's not a stare-at-your-glass beer, it's a food beer that quietly keeps the next sip coming.
MugiOkay, my compare-them side by side urge is out of control. One's all bright citrus, the other's smooth and meal-friendly. That's a great little personality test.
Hop BroAnd together they show both sides of Shiga Kogen really well. Hit IPA 2.03 first for the aroma blast, then let HELLES!? settle everything back into place.
MugiThen that's settled, pour them immediately. I want SHIGA KOGEN IPA 2.03 and SHIGA KOGEN HELLES!? right now, and I am not being patient about it.
Tamamura Honten's Shiga Kogen Beer in Yamanouchi, Nagano has released new 330ml bottle batches of SHIGA KOGEN IPA 2.03 Center of the Universe and SHIGA KOGEN HELLES!?. It is a straightforward two-beer lineup, but the contrast between them is what makes it interesting: one is hop-forward and aromatic, the other is a clean, food-friendly lager.
SHIGA KOGEN IPA 2.03 Center of the Universe is the latest installment in the Center of the Universe series, following the 2.01 and 2.02 releases. At 6.5% ABV and 40 IBU, it is built on pilsner malt and pale Maris Otter, then layered with American hops, New Zealand hop varieties, and plenty of homegrown Cascade. The aroma is described as bright lemon-like citrus with a hint of white flowers. The beer continues Shiga Kogen's effort to build a second pillar alongside its flagship Shiga Kogen IPA.
SHIGA KOGEN HELLES!? is a 5% ABV, 15 IBU Helles lager made in a deliberately style-faithful way. According to the brewery notes, it avoids American hops and uses traditional German aroma hops plus homegrown Shinshu Wase. The name may carry a playful tone, but the beer itself is serious about being a food beer: clean, restrained, and built to accompany a meal rather than dominate it.
Together, the two releases show two sides of the brewery's approach. The IPA pushes aroma and hop character, while the Helles focuses on clarity, balance, and drinkability.
Information may be inaccurate. Please refer to the venue’s official channels for the latest details.
Hop BroToday's topic is Shiga Kogen's new batch. SHIGA KOGEN IPA 2.03 Center of the Universe and SHIGA KOGEN HELLES!? landed at the same time, and that's a pretty big deal.
MugiWhat! Two beers at once and one's an IPA while the other's a Helles? That feels like twins where only one of them does push-ups!
Hop BroThat's the fun part. IPA 2.03 comes in at 6.5% and 40 IBU, built on pilsner malt and pale Maris Otter, then layered with American hops, NZ varieties, and homegrown Cascade.
MugiHold on, the Maris Otter situation needs explaining! Is that a grain, a gentleman, or somebody's very classy pet?
Hop BroClassy name, but it's malt. Think of it as the beer's grain foundation. Then the hops stack on lemony citrus and a white-flower note, so the whole thing feels bright and dimensional.
MugiOoh, white-flower aroma sounds fancy. So what about HELLES!? The exclamation mark makes it look like it kicked the door open.
Hop BroFunny enough, it's the calm one. It's a 5% lager at 15 IBU, with no American hops at all, just traditional German aroma hops and homegrown Shinshu Wase, very faithful to the style.
MugiNo way! No American hops and it still sounds interesting? That is such a sneaky-with-dinner charmer.
Hop BroExactly. If the IPA is the attack, HELLES!? wins with a clean, composed finish. It's not a stare-at-your-glass beer, it's a food beer that quietly keeps the next sip coming.
MugiOkay, my compare-them side by side urge is out of control. One's all bright citrus, the other's smooth and meal-friendly. That's a great little personality test.
Hop BroAnd together they show both sides of Shiga Kogen really well. Hit IPA 2.03 first for the aroma blast, then let HELLES!? settle everything back into place.
MugiThen that's settled, pour them immediately. I want SHIGA KOGEN IPA 2.03 and SHIGA KOGEN HELLES!? right now, and I am not being patient about it.
