Good Hops to Release Kegged Lager and IPA with Tono-Grown Murakami Seven
Good Hops in Tono, Iwate Prefecture, will release "MURAKAMI SEVEN LAGER" and "MURAKAMI SEVEN IPA" on tap starting April 1. Cans are scheduled for April 8, and both were handled by Atsushi Murakami from recipe design through brewing.
Hop BroToday I’m talking about a new Murakami Seven release from Good Hops in Tono, Iwate Prefecture. They’re putting out a LAGER and an IPA built around this rare hop.
MugiWait, the hop is the star?! And it’s two styles, LAGER and IPA? That means this is basically made for a side-by-side tasting from the start!
Hop BroExactly. And Murakami Seven was developed by Atsushi Murakami back when he was at Kirin Brewery, with the appeal being its Japanese citrus and muscat-like aroma.
MugiI get the Japanese citrus part, but muscat and even fig too?! The hop is turning into a fruit department store!
Hop BroI don’t hate that comparison. The LAGER uses Tono-grown Murakami Seven and Saaz, with a recipe that layers greenness and citrus character very neatly.
MugiHuh, so lager isn’t just crisp and clean. If the expression changes with temperature, then it makes sense that it’s good with food!
Hop BroThe IPA uses plenty of Murakami Seven and also adds Tono-grown IBUKI. In other words, it’s a crisp-edged IPA that pushes both aroma and sweetness.
MugiI want to drink that! But if the quantity is limited, this is a scramble-for-it situation... I’m already preparing to run in my head!
Hop BroThe release starts with kegs for on-premise accounts on April 1 at 3:00 p.m. Cans follow on April 8, with on-premise sales at 3:00 p.m. and general sales at 5:00 p.m. Keg release on April 1 is the date to remember.
MugiTono’s hops are amazing! Today I’m in the mood to confirm the current state of Tono-grown hops over a drink, so let’s go for both the LAGER and the IPA!
Two Recipes
GOOD HOPS, based in Tono, Iwate Prefecture and integrating hop cultivation, brewing, and research, is launching new products centered on the rare hop "Murakami Seven." Murakami Seven is a variety developed by the company’s brewing director, Atsushi Murakami, during his time at Kirin Brewery, and it is characterized by aromas reminiscent of Japanese citrus, muscat, and figs. This time, as part of a collaboration tied to Spring Valley Brewery’s "JAPAN ALE <Kaori>" renewal, it has also become specially available for use at GOOD HOPS.
The two releases are a LAGER and an IPA. Both use hops grown in Tono, and Murakami himself handled everything from recipe design through brewing.
MURAKAMI SEVEN LAGER
ABV 4.5%. Brewed with Tono-grown Murakami Seven and Tono-grown Saaz, it balances a fresh green aroma with the brightness of Japanese citrus. The recipe is designed so that the aroma and flavor change as the temperature shifts, making it easy to enjoy as a beer with meals.
MURAKAMI SEVEN IPA
ABV 6.0%. This IPA uses Murakami Seven generously and adds Tono-grown IBUKI to bring out its character even more strongly. Japanese citrus aromas are layered with a soft, fruity sweetness, aiming for a more defined profile than the LAGER.
Keg sales to on-premise accounts begin at 3:00 p.m. on April 1. Canned products are scheduled to go on sale from April 8, with on-premise sales starting at 3:00 p.m. and retail sales for general customers starting at 5:00 p.m. Murakami Seven is still limited in cultivation volume, so this collaboration will be offered in limited quantities.
GOOD HOPS is a brewery that aims to expand the possibilities of Japanese hops in Tono, Japan’s premier hop-growing region. The company’s philosophy of linking cultivation, processing, and brewing at close range is reflected directly in these two beers. Murakami Seven LAGER and IPA, brewed by the developer himself, are releases worth watching for anyone wanting to understand the current state of Tono-grown hops.
Information may be inaccurate. Please refer to the brewery’s official channels for the latest details.
Hop BroToday I’m talking about a new Murakami Seven release from Good Hops in Tono, Iwate Prefecture. They’re putting out a LAGER and an IPA built around this rare hop.
MugiWait, the hop is the star?! And it’s two styles, LAGER and IPA? That means this is basically made for a side-by-side tasting from the start!
Hop BroExactly. And Murakami Seven was developed by Atsushi Murakami back when he was at Kirin Brewery, with the appeal being its Japanese citrus and muscat-like aroma.
MugiI get the Japanese citrus part, but muscat and even fig too?! The hop is turning into a fruit department store!
Hop BroI don’t hate that comparison. The LAGER uses Tono-grown Murakami Seven and Saaz, with a recipe that layers greenness and citrus character very neatly.
MugiHuh, so lager isn’t just crisp and clean. If the expression changes with temperature, then it makes sense that it’s good with food!
Hop BroThe IPA uses plenty of Murakami Seven and also adds Tono-grown IBUKI. In other words, it’s a crisp-edged IPA that pushes both aroma and sweetness.
MugiI want to drink that! But if the quantity is limited, this is a scramble-for-it situation... I’m already preparing to run in my head!
Hop BroThe release starts with kegs for on-premise accounts on April 1 at 3:00 p.m. Cans follow on April 8, with on-premise sales at 3:00 p.m. and general sales at 5:00 p.m. Keg release on April 1 is the date to remember.
MugiTono’s hops are amazing! Today I’m in the mood to confirm the current state of Tono-grown hops over a drink, so let’s go for both the LAGER and the IPA!
