Utsui Brewery Begins June Hop Harvest, Tests Pesticide-Free Growing
Utsui Brewery in Shimonoseki, Yamaguchi, reported on Instagram that hop harvest has begun in June. The brewery also said it is testing pesticide-free cultivation while continuing to use its own hops in some beers.
Hop BroHere’s today’s topic: Utsui Brewery in Shimonoseki, Yamaguchi just started its June hop harvest.
MugiWait, what? They do not just brew beer, they grow hops too? Estate-grown hops sounds seriously committed!
Hop BroThat is their standout point. Utsui Brewery handles everything from cultivation to sales, which is pretty rare.
MugiWow! But that VACAN CRAFT name in the article, what kind of beer is it? IPA? Lager?
Hop BroVACAN CRAFT is one of the beers tied to their homegrown hops, but this time the style is undisclosed. That makes the seasonal variation even more interesting.
MugiNo way, an undisclosed style? That is like hiding the test scope! And declining harvest yields sounds a little worrying too.
Hop BroThat part matters. Even with lower yields in recent years, they are still trying pesticide-free cultivation and refining how they grow hops.
MugiThat sounds cool already! But hold on, that terroir character thing you said... are we suddenly in wine class?
Hop BroWhat that means is the land shows through. Hops grown in the mountains of Utsui can shape the beer’s aroma and personality.
MugiOhhh, so VACAN CRAFT is basically a seasonal craft beer where you can taste how the hops were grown!
Hop BroExactly. It also connects welfare work, local farming, and brewing, so you can almost taste the brewer’s philosophy in the glass.
MugiThat settles it, now I really want one. Next round, we are hunting for VACAN CRAFT, Hop Bro!
Utsui Brewery, based in the Utsui area of Shimonoseki, Yamaguchi, said on Instagram that hop harvest has started in June. In the post, the brewery noted that yields have fallen in recent years, but it is still testing a cultivation method that does not use pesticides.
The brewery is operated by the social welfare organization Utsui Fukushikai, and one of its defining features is an integrated approach that covers hop growing, brewing, and sales. Its official site describes self-grown hops as one of its strengths, with the brewery using them in some of its beers. Set in the hills of Shimonoseki, Utsui Brewery has built a model that links local farming with craft beer production.
What stands out in the post is the brewery's focus on the growing process itself, not just the final beer. Even when harvest volume is limited, continuing to work on cultivation methods reflects a clear commitment to ingredient quality and to the character that homegrown hops can bring to beer. That approach is part of what gives Utsui Brewery's VACAN CRAFT lineup its regional identity.
Source: Instagram post / Utsui Brewery official site
Information may be inaccurate. Please refer to the brewery’s official channels for the latest details.
Hop BroHere’s today’s topic: Utsui Brewery in Shimonoseki, Yamaguchi just started its June hop harvest.
MugiWait, what? They do not just brew beer, they grow hops too? Estate-grown hops sounds seriously committed!
Hop BroThat is their standout point. Utsui Brewery handles everything from cultivation to sales, which is pretty rare.
MugiWow! But that VACAN CRAFT name in the article, what kind of beer is it? IPA? Lager?
Hop BroVACAN CRAFT is one of the beers tied to their homegrown hops, but this time the style is undisclosed. That makes the seasonal variation even more interesting.
MugiNo way, an undisclosed style? That is like hiding the test scope! And declining harvest yields sounds a little worrying too.
Hop BroThat part matters. Even with lower yields in recent years, they are still trying pesticide-free cultivation and refining how they grow hops.
MugiThat sounds cool already! But hold on, that terroir character thing you said... are we suddenly in wine class?
Hop BroWhat that means is the land shows through. Hops grown in the mountains of Utsui can shape the beer’s aroma and personality.
MugiOhhh, so VACAN CRAFT is basically a seasonal craft beer where you can taste how the hops were grown!
Hop BroExactly. It also connects welfare work, local farming, and brewing, so you can almost taste the brewer’s philosophy in the glass.
MugiThat settles it, now I really want one. Next round, we are hunting for VACAN CRAFT, Hop Bro!
