Minoh Brewery Releases Seasonal "MUGICHA BITTER" with Barley Tea Aroma
Osaka-based craft brewery Minoh Brewery announced release details for its seasonal beer "MUGICHA BITTER" on February 27, 2026. Part of its regularly brewed "tea series," this year’s version is an English-style bitter made with barley tea. Kegs and bottles will begin shipping sequentially from March 6.
Hop BroToday’s article is a good one! Minoh Brewery is releasing a seasonal "MUGICHA BITTER." For 2026, it’s the barley tea entry in the "tea series"!
MugiWait, barley tea in beer!? That’s like the first drink and the last drink at an izakaya being the same!
Hop BroWhat’s nice is that they’ve put it together as an English-style bitter. It’s like layering barley tea nuances over the toasted aroma of the malt.
MugiOnce you say "nuance," it suddenly sounds fancy! Does "bitter" mean "super bitter"?
Hop BroThat’s the misunderstanding point. This one is on the lighter side at 4.5% ABV and 20 IBU. It’s not a punch-you-in-the-face beer; it’s designed so you can sip it gently. It also pairs well with food.
MugiOhhh! So it’s not "bitter and punishing," it’s "toasty and goes down easy"!
Hop BroExactly. And they use Centennial and Cascade, with a slightly brighter amber color. It’s unfiltered, and the ideal serving temperature is 8 to 12°C. That temperature range is really nice too.
MugiSo much information! You’re suddenly like a beer science teacher! But what even is unfiltered?
Hop BroRoughly speaking, it’s a brewing method that doesn’t strip away too much through filtration, leaving the character of the ingredients intact. It sits right in the sweet spot of Minoh Brewery’s "local beer you want to drink every day" ethos. Keg and bottle shipments start on March 6, and online sales begin the same day at 5:00 p.m.
MugiThat’s amazing! As someone raised on barley tea, I feel like this was fate! Let’s toast with MUGICHA BITTER tonight!
This Year’s "Barley Tea" Version from Minoh’s Popular Series
"MUGICHA BITTER," announced by Minoh Brewery, is the latest release in the company’s ongoing English-style "tea series." In this series, hojicha and barley tea are brewed alternately, and 2026 features barley tea.
According to the announcement, the malt bill and brewing approach were adjusted this time, giving it a slightly brighter color than a typical bitter. The beer is designed to pair a moderate malt character with the toasty nuance of barley tea, aiming for a brew that can be enjoyed at an easygoing pace.
Light, Food-Friendly Specs
The main published specifications are as follows.
- Style: Bitter (English style)
- Ingredients: Malt, barley tea, hops
- Hops used: Centennial, Cascade
- ABV: 4.5%
- IBU: 20
- Color: Amber
- Serving temperature: 8–12°C
- Filtration: Unfiltered
- Best before: 120 days from the production date
At 4.5% ABV, the alcohol level is relatively restrained, and the bitterness at IBU 20 is also modest. Rather than emphasizing a flashy hop aroma, it is characterized by a balance centered on malt and barley tea’s toasty character, making it an easy beer to enjoy in everyday settings.
Sales Begin March 6, With Taproom Info Shared on Social Media
The release information says shipments to restaurants and liquor retailers will begin sequentially on March 6, 2026. Sales at the official online shop are also scheduled to start at 5:00 p.m. the same day. Availability at the directly operated "WAREHOUSE" location will be announced on Instagram as needed.
Minoh Brewery in a Local Context
Minoh Brewery is a local brewery born in Minoh City, Osaka Prefecture. Centered on non-heat-treated, unfiltered beer, it has developed a broad lineup ranging from core offerings to seasonal releases. While it is also known for award-winning results in global competitions, the company’s guiding idea is "daily local beer you’ll want to drink every day."
This "MUGICHA BITTER" also embodies that philosophy. Rather than aiming for novelty through intensity, it offers gentle drinkability. As a seasonal release, it is a proposal that feels distinctly Minoh.
Information may be inaccurate. Please refer to the brewery’s official channels for the latest details.
Hop BroToday’s article is a good one! Minoh Brewery is releasing a seasonal "MUGICHA BITTER." For 2026, it’s the barley tea entry in the "tea series"!
MugiWait, barley tea in beer!? That’s like the first drink and the last drink at an izakaya being the same!
Hop BroWhat’s nice is that they’ve put it together as an English-style bitter. It’s like layering barley tea nuances over the toasted aroma of the malt.
MugiOnce you say "nuance," it suddenly sounds fancy! Does "bitter" mean "super bitter"?
Hop BroThat’s the misunderstanding point. This one is on the lighter side at 4.5% ABV and 20 IBU. It’s not a punch-you-in-the-face beer; it’s designed so you can sip it gently. It also pairs well with food.
MugiOhhh! So it’s not "bitter and punishing," it’s "toasty and goes down easy"!
Hop BroExactly. And they use Centennial and Cascade, with a slightly brighter amber color. It’s unfiltered, and the ideal serving temperature is 8 to 12°C. That temperature range is really nice too.
MugiSo much information! You’re suddenly like a beer science teacher! But what even is unfiltered?
Hop BroRoughly speaking, it’s a brewing method that doesn’t strip away too much through filtration, leaving the character of the ingredients intact. It sits right in the sweet spot of Minoh Brewery’s "local beer you want to drink every day" ethos. Keg and bottle shipments start on March 6, and online sales begin the same day at 5:00 p.m.
MugiThat’s amazing! As someone raised on barley tea, I feel like this was fate! Let’s toast with MUGICHA BITTER tonight!
