Hop Kotan Brewing unveils “Iho,” a 6.5% Midwest IPA
Hop Kotan Brewing in Kamifurano, Hokkaido, introduced a new beer called “Iho” in an Instagram post on August 13. The beer is a Midwest IPA at 6.5% ABV and 75 IBU, built around firm bitterness and a layered hop aroma.
Hop BroI need to tell you about Hop Kotan Brewing in Kamifurano, Hokkaido and their new Midwest IPA "Iho".
MugiWait, that name already sounds intense! Hop Kotan is a Kamifurano brewery, right?
Hop BroExactly. They introduced it on Instagram on August 13, and the specs are serious: ABV 6.5, IBU 75.
MugiOkay, I sort of know ABV, but IBU 75 sounds like a math exam!
Hop BroIBU is a bitterness guide, so 75 means it really leans bitter. In other words, this is an IPA built around firm bitterness.
MugiGot it... but what even is a Midwest IPA? And when you say malt backbone, are we brewing beer or assembling furniture?
Hop BroThat's the fun part. It doesn't rely only on flashy hop aroma; the malt gives it weight and structure, so it's all about aroma with depth.
MugiOhhh, so it's not just fruity fireworks. That layered hop aroma part sounds dangerously tempting!
Hop BroYep, and Hop Kotan is known for bringing out local character and hop personality, so this sounds like a sharply defined IPA on purpose.
MugiA bitter IPA with real body instead of just hype? That is absolutely a drink-now beer to me!
Hop BroSame here. If the bitterness, hop layers, and malt heft all land together, this feels like a pint I need as soon as possible.
The new release is “Iho”
Hop Kotan Brewing, based in Kamifurano, Hokkaido, introduced a new beer called “Iho” in an Instagram post on August 13. The beer is a Midwest IPA brewed with malt (foreign origin) and hops, and it is listed at 6.5% ABV and 75 IBU.
In the post, the brewery describes the beer as having firm bitterness, layered hop aroma, and a substantial malt presence. Rather than leaning only on flashy aromatics, the recipe appears designed to give the style a clear backbone and a satisfying IPA bite.
Midwest IPA is often appreciated for balancing American IPA intensity with a fuller malt structure and a defined hop profile. The name “Iho” also fits that clear, no-nonsense character.
Hop Kotan Brewing is known for beer making that highlights the character of hops and the local identity of Kamifurano. This release continues that approach with a style-forward, focused expression of IPA.
Information may be inaccurate. Please refer to the brewery’s official channels for the latest details.
Hop BroI need to tell you about Hop Kotan Brewing in Kamifurano, Hokkaido and their new Midwest IPA "Iho".
MugiWait, that name already sounds intense! Hop Kotan is a Kamifurano brewery, right?
Hop BroExactly. They introduced it on Instagram on August 13, and the specs are serious: ABV 6.5, IBU 75.
MugiOkay, I sort of know ABV, but IBU 75 sounds like a math exam!
Hop BroIBU is a bitterness guide, so 75 means it really leans bitter. In other words, this is an IPA built around firm bitterness.
MugiGot it... but what even is a Midwest IPA? And when you say malt backbone, are we brewing beer or assembling furniture?
Hop BroThat's the fun part. It doesn't rely only on flashy hop aroma; the malt gives it weight and structure, so it's all about aroma with depth.
MugiOhhh, so it's not just fruity fireworks. That layered hop aroma part sounds dangerously tempting!
Hop BroYep, and Hop Kotan is known for bringing out local character and hop personality, so this sounds like a sharply defined IPA on purpose.
MugiA bitter IPA with real body instead of just hype? That is absolutely a drink-now beer to me!
Hop BroSame here. If the bitterness, hop layers, and malt heft all land together, this feels like a pint I need as soon as possible.
