Good Hops Releases New Lager, "The Classic Hops," Featuring Three Traditional Hop Varieties
The Iwate craft brewery Good Hops released the cask version of its new lager, "The Classic Hops," on March 12, 2026. The beer is designed with three European heritage hop varieties, including Saitz grown in Tono, and the can version is scheduled to go on sale from next week onward.
Hop BroToday's new release news: Good Hops in Iwate pre-released its new lager, "The Classic Hops," on cask on March 12, 2026!
MugiWhoa! The name already sounds classic! Since it's a lager, does that mean super easy-drinking?!
Hop BroExactly. It's a LAGER with an ABV of 5.0%, designed to be light and easy to keep drinking.
MugiHmm, so what exactly makes "Classic Hops" classic?
Hop BroThey've layered three hop varieties: Tono-grown Saitz, German Hallertau Mittelfrueh, and German Hersbrucker. It's a blend where grassy notes are overlaid with floral and herbal aromas.
MugiLayered... like a mille-feuille of aroma!? Won't I get lost in it in my mouth!?
Hop BroSo you don't get lost, the recipe was designed by head brewer Atsushi Murakami. Unlike their previous single-hop beer, "Saaz Saaz," this one aims to create depth by using multiple varieties.
MugiWhat is that, a choir of hops!? And they do cultivation, brewing, and research all in Tono too? That's seriously committed!
Hop BroInstead of going all-in on just one new thing, it's cool that they're proposing a beer that shines a light on traditional hops. By the way, it's cask first for now, and the cans are supposedly coming from next week onward.
MugiAlright, let's find it on cask first and toast, then do a home re-tasting session when the cans come out! I already want to drink "The Classic Hops" so badly!
On March 12, Good Hops announced the release of its new product, "The Classic Hops." The initial release is the cask version, with the can version planned for rollout from next week onward. The style is LAGER, and the alcohol content is 5.0%.
The hops used are three varieties: Tono-grown Saitz, German Hallertau Mittelfrueh, and German Hersbrucker. In the announcement, the brewery describes the beer as featuring a layered aroma of grassiness along with floral and herbal notes, and a light, easy-drinking finish.
The recipe was designed by Atsushi Murakami, head brewer at the brewery. The announcement says the intention is to once again spotlight the character of traditional hops, not just newer varieties that have emerged in recent years, but also those that have long supported beer culture. Whereas the brewery's previous release, "Saaz Saaz," expressed a single variety, this beer is positioned as a design that layers multiple classic varieties to create aromatic depth.
Good Hops is a brewery that promotes an integrated system for hop cultivation, brewing, and research in Tono, Iwate Prefecture. For a company that is advancing both locally rooted ingredient selection and a modern craft context, "The Classic Hops" stands out as a proposal that does not rely on "newness" alone.
Source: Instagram post, GOOD HOPS official site
Information may be inaccurate. Please refer to the brewery’s official channels for the latest details.
Hop BroToday's new release news: Good Hops in Iwate pre-released its new lager, "The Classic Hops," on cask on March 12, 2026!
MugiWhoa! The name already sounds classic! Since it's a lager, does that mean super easy-drinking?!
Hop BroExactly. It's a LAGER with an ABV of 5.0%, designed to be light and easy to keep drinking.
MugiHmm, so what exactly makes "Classic Hops" classic?
Hop BroThey've layered three hop varieties: Tono-grown Saitz, German Hallertau Mittelfrueh, and German Hersbrucker. It's a blend where grassy notes are overlaid with floral and herbal aromas.
MugiLayered... like a mille-feuille of aroma!? Won't I get lost in it in my mouth!?
Hop BroSo you don't get lost, the recipe was designed by head brewer Atsushi Murakami. Unlike their previous single-hop beer, "Saaz Saaz," this one aims to create depth by using multiple varieties.
MugiWhat is that, a choir of hops!? And they do cultivation, brewing, and research all in Tono too? That's seriously committed!
Hop BroInstead of going all-in on just one new thing, it's cool that they're proposing a beer that shines a light on traditional hops. By the way, it's cask first for now, and the cans are supposedly coming from next week onward.
MugiAlright, let's find it on cask first and toast, then do a home re-tasting session when the cans come out! I already want to drink "The Classic Hops" so badly!
