Osaka Shibutani Bakushu to Preview Honey Kumquat Ale at Kyoto Takashimaya
Osaka Shibutani Bakushu, based in Fujiidera, Osaka, will appear at Kyoto Takashimaya S.C. from September 2 to 8 and offer an early, limited bottle sale of its new Honey Kumquat Ale. The beer uses honey from Yamagata Honey Farm, tying the release to the event itself.
Hop BroThere’s an event in Kyoto worth tracking. A new Osaka Shibutani release, "Honey Kumquat Ale," is getting an advance bottle sale at Kyoto Takashimaya S.C. from September 2 to 8.
MugiWhat! Honey Kumquat Ale already sounds unfairly delicious! Kumquat can go into beer?
Hop BroIt can. And the stage is Kyoto Takashimaya S.C. 7F, in the event venue Grand Hall. A brewery from Fujiidera, Osaka, making its first reveal at a department store is a pretty stylish move.
MugiWhoa! So advance limited bottle sale means it’s a rare character unless you catch it there first?!
Hop BroPretty much, that’s the earliest place to meet it. And Yamagata Apiary is there too at the same event, so you can see the honey producer right alongside the beer.
MugiNo way! That’s like the ingredients showing up in person! A brewery and a honey shop on the same floor is a lot for my brain!
Hop BroIn beer terms, honey and kumquat are used as adjunct ingredients, layering aroma and nuance onto the ale base.
MugiHold on, what are adjuncts? Why did this suddenly turn into science class?!
Hop BroIf malt and hops are the leads, adjuncts are the sidekicks that widen the flavor. Here, honey and kumquat as sidekicks should bring soft sweetness and bright citrus lift.
MugiOkay, that helps! And the hours are 10:30 a.m. to 8 p.m., with the last day ending at 5 p.m., right? That makes planning easy!
Hop BroOsaka Shibutani Beer says it carries on the spirit of Shibutani Shozaburo, who brewed Japan’s first beer, and they’ve already leaned into local ingredients in the Kawachi no Ale line. So this has real credibility as a new flavor.
MugiI’m done for, this makes me want a bottle on-site immediately! Hop bro, this is absolutely the kind of thing that makes both of us want to meet in Kyoto and drink one!
Osaka Shibutani Bakushu announced on Instagram that it will take part in a sales event at Kyoto Takashimaya S.C., on the 7th floor Grand Hall and event space. The fair runs from Wednesday, September 2 through Tuesday, September 8, with hours from 10:30 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. The final day closes at 5:00 p.m.
The highlight is the first bottle release of "Honey Kumquat Ale," offered as a Kyoto Takashimaya exclusive preview sale. The post also notes that the honey used in the beer comes from Yamagata Honey Farm, which is participating in the same event. That gives the release a clear link between the ingredient source and the venue.
The brewery is based in Fujiidera, Osaka, and its official website describes it as carrying on the legacy of Shibutani Shosaburo, who is associated with Japan's first beer brewed by a Japanese. Alongside its core Kawachino Ale lineup, the brewery has built a reputation for beers that make use of regional ingredients. This department-store event offers another opportunity to introduce that style to a wider audience.
- Dates: September 2-8
- Hours: 10:30-20:00
- Final day: closes at 17:00
- Venue: 7F event hall, Kyoto Takashimaya S.C.
Information may be inaccurate. Please refer to the brewery’s official channels for the latest details.
Hop BroThere’s an event in Kyoto worth tracking. A new Osaka Shibutani release, "Honey Kumquat Ale," is getting an advance bottle sale at Kyoto Takashimaya S.C. from September 2 to 8.
MugiWhat! Honey Kumquat Ale already sounds unfairly delicious! Kumquat can go into beer?
Hop BroIt can. And the stage is Kyoto Takashimaya S.C. 7F, in the event venue Grand Hall. A brewery from Fujiidera, Osaka, making its first reveal at a department store is a pretty stylish move.
MugiWhoa! So advance limited bottle sale means it’s a rare character unless you catch it there first?!
Hop BroPretty much, that’s the earliest place to meet it. And Yamagata Apiary is there too at the same event, so you can see the honey producer right alongside the beer.
MugiNo way! That’s like the ingredients showing up in person! A brewery and a honey shop on the same floor is a lot for my brain!
Hop BroIn beer terms, honey and kumquat are used as adjunct ingredients, layering aroma and nuance onto the ale base.
MugiHold on, what are adjuncts? Why did this suddenly turn into science class?!
Hop BroIf malt and hops are the leads, adjuncts are the sidekicks that widen the flavor. Here, honey and kumquat as sidekicks should bring soft sweetness and bright citrus lift.
MugiOkay, that helps! And the hours are 10:30 a.m. to 8 p.m., with the last day ending at 5 p.m., right? That makes planning easy!
Hop BroOsaka Shibutani Beer says it carries on the spirit of Shibutani Shozaburo, who brewed Japan’s first beer, and they’ve already leaned into local ingredients in the Kawachi no Ale line. So this has real credibility as a new flavor.
MugiI’m done for, this makes me want a bottle on-site immediately! Hop bro, this is absolutely the kind of thing that makes both of us want to meet in Kyoto and drink one!
