Nara Brewing’s KUSANAGI Gets a New Tap at HOP MAN in Chigasaki
Beer pub HOP MAN in Chigasaki, Kanagawa has tapped Nara Brewing’s KUSANAGI. The Belgian wit uses Suruga Elegant citrus from Shizuoka, coriander, and wheat for a soft mouthfeel and bright aromatic finish.
Hop BroChigasaki's HOP MAN just tapped Nara Brewing's KUSANAGI, and that is not a beer you casually ignore.
MugiWhat! A freshly tapped guest beer already makes me want to sprint there, but what kind of beer is KUSANAGI?
Hop BroIt's a Belgian wit build with soft wheat character, plus Shizuoka-grown Suruga Elegant and coriander for a bright, refreshing profile.
MugiSeriously, that name Suruga Elegant sounds less like citrus and more like a final boss.
Hop BroPut simply, it's an elegant Japanese citrus. You get juicy acidity, peel-like aroma, and it still plays nicely with a gentle banana-like fermentation note.
MugiWhat even is that! Banana and citrus together in one glass? My nose is about to submit a workload complaint!
Hop BroAnd with Aramis hops plus flaked wheat and flaked oats, it lands a silky, soft mouthfeel. At 5.5% ABV and 14 IBU, it stays easy to drink.
MugiHold on, what does IBU 14 mean? If it's a test score, we're safe. If it's beer math, I'm nervous.
Hop BroIBU is the bitterness scale, and this beer has gently tuned bitterness. It tightens the aroma and acidity without crushing the wit's lightness.
MugiOkay, now I'm hooked. And if it's a collaboration brew, I need the backstory immediately.
Hop BroIt was brewed with Kiyoshi Takoi, a leader in Japanese beer science, and Katsuyuki Shiba from BET, so honestly it's making me want a pint right now.
MugiThen it's settled! Let's go check that balance of aroma and acid at HOP MAN with a glass of KUSANAGI.
New Tap
HOP MAN, a beer pub in Jukkenzaka, Chigasaki, Kanagawa, has announced a new guest beer: KUSANAGI from Nara Brewing. The post describes it as a Belgian wit brewed with Suruga Elegant citrus from Shizuoka.
Beer Details
The beer is listed at `ABV 5.5%`, `IBU 14`, and `COLOR Straw`. It uses Pilsner Malt, Aramis hops, and additional ingredients including flaked wheat, flaked oats, Suruga Elegant, and coriander.
In the glass, the beer is said to show a gentle banana note, a vivid citrus aroma from Suruga Elegant, and an anise-like nuance from Bulgarian coriander. On the palate, wheat brings a smooth texture, while bright acidity, citrus peel character, and hop bitterness keep the finish crisp and focused.
Brewed as a Collaboration
According to the brewery note quoted in the post, the beer was brewed with two prominent figures in the Japanese beer scene: Kiyoshi Takoi, a leading figure in brewing science, and Yukiyuki Shiba, an advisor at BET, which supports breweries from a technical and operational standpoint.
Why It Fits HOP MAN
HOP MAN is a beer pub that regularly introduces guest taps, making it a place where drinkers can find beers with a clear seasonal or brewer-driven story. KUSANAGI is not a heavy-handed bitter beer; instead, it leans on balance between aroma, gentle tartness, bitterness, and a soft wheat texture. It should work well with food and reward slow sipping as the aromatics open up.
Information may be inaccurate. Please refer to the venue’s official channels for the latest details.
Hop BroChigasaki's HOP MAN just tapped Nara Brewing's KUSANAGI, and that is not a beer you casually ignore.
MugiWhat! A freshly tapped guest beer already makes me want to sprint there, but what kind of beer is KUSANAGI?
Hop BroIt's a Belgian wit build with soft wheat character, plus Shizuoka-grown Suruga Elegant and coriander for a bright, refreshing profile.
MugiSeriously, that name Suruga Elegant sounds less like citrus and more like a final boss.
Hop BroPut simply, it's an elegant Japanese citrus. You get juicy acidity, peel-like aroma, and it still plays nicely with a gentle banana-like fermentation note.
MugiWhat even is that! Banana and citrus together in one glass? My nose is about to submit a workload complaint!
Hop BroAnd with Aramis hops plus flaked wheat and flaked oats, it lands a silky, soft mouthfeel. At 5.5% ABV and 14 IBU, it stays easy to drink.
MugiHold on, what does IBU 14 mean? If it's a test score, we're safe. If it's beer math, I'm nervous.
Hop BroIBU is the bitterness scale, and this beer has gently tuned bitterness. It tightens the aroma and acidity without crushing the wit's lightness.
MugiOkay, now I'm hooked. And if it's a collaboration brew, I need the backstory immediately.
Hop BroIt was brewed with Kiyoshi Takoi, a leader in Japanese beer science, and Katsuyuki Shiba from BET, so honestly it's making me want a pint right now.
MugiThen it's settled! Let's go check that balance of aroma and acid at HOP MAN with a glass of KUSANAGI.
