Heiwa Craft announces the collaborative altbier "Album" with Swan Lake and two other breweries
Heiwa Craft of Kainan City, Wakayama, has announced the altbier "Album," brewed as a four-way collaboration with Swan Lake Beer, KaruizawaQ, and Yamorido. Made with German ingredients, it will be offered as a keg product with ABV 5% and IBU 33.
Hop BroToday, let’s talk about Heiwa Craft’s new release from Kainan City, Wakayama: the collaboration altbier "Album."
MugiWhoa, even the title sounds stylish! The name "Album" makes it feel almost like a beer version of an album!
Hop BroAnd it was brewed at Swan Lake Beer in Niigata as a four-way collaboration. The participants were Swan Lake Beer, KaruizawaQ, Heiwa Craft, and Yamorido.
MugiWhat is that, like a reunion on a trip! So, what style is it?
Hop BroThe style is ALT, which means altbier. It tends to show a beautiful amber malt character, and its appeal is the balance between caramel-like sweetness and gentle bitterness.
MugiWhen you say altbier, I can only think of a high note! What does ALT mean, a musical key?
Hop BroIn this case, it’s the altbier world. It’s a German-style ale with refined bitterness, and this "Album" is designed to be easy to drink at ABV 5% and IBU 33.
MugiOhh! Now there are numbers too! But they really went all out with the ingredients, didn’t they? "All German ingredients" means they’re serious.
Hop BroExactly. The malt uses Weyermann Pils, ISARIA1924, CARAAMBER, MUNICH Type 2, and CARAFA Type 2. The hops are also limited to Hallertauer Mittelfrueh and Spalter Select, and they even included wet hop usage.
MugiWet hop sounds like it has high humidity all of a sudden, but basically does that mean something like freshly picked character?
Hop BroThat’s a good enough understanding. With a rich malt profile as the foundation, the hop bitterness supports it cleanly, and being available on keg at Heiwa Shoten and the various breweries makes it basically a comparison-tasting beer.
MugiWow, just hearing that makes my throat want a drink! If I compare them on draft, I bet the differences will be clear and it’ll be absolutely fun!
Hop BroIt has a completely different personality from Heiwa Craft’s red ale, so this time’s "Album" is definitely one I want to try as the first pour.
MugiAgreed! My head is already full of beer, and now I’m in the mood to drink one right away!
Heiwa Craft, based in Kainan City, Wakayama Prefecture, has introduced the collaborative brew altbier "Album." The beer was brewed at Swan Lake Beer in Niigata, with participation from Swan Lake Beer, KaruizawaQ, Heiwa Craft, and Yamorido. The style is ALT, with ABV 5% and IBU 33.
The beer was inspired by a brewing trip to Germany last December taken by the four participants. Over 10 days, they traveled around the country by rail, visiting breweries and malting facilities and immersing themselves in German beer culture, then translated that experience directly into this collaboration beer.
The recipe stands out for using only German ingredients throughout. The malt bill uses Weyermann malts, combining Pils, ISARIA 1924, CARAAMBER, MUNICH Type 2, and CARAFA Type 2. The hops are limited to Hallertauer Mittelfrueh and Spalter Select, with the latter used as a wet hop. The appearance is finished in a classic altbier amber color, with a design that lets full malt caramel notes and rounded sweetness be supported by hop bitterness.
Heiwa Craft also offers a reddish red ale, but this "Album" is being presented as a beer with a character distinct from that one. It is available only on draft, and will be on tap at Heiwa Shoten, Heiwa Doburoku Kabutocho Brewery, and Heiwa Doburoku Namba Brewery. It is a beer that also stands out as something worth comparing side by side.
Information may be inaccurate. Please refer to the brewery’s official channels for the latest details.
Hop BroToday, let’s talk about Heiwa Craft’s new release from Kainan City, Wakayama: the collaboration altbier "Album."
MugiWhoa, even the title sounds stylish! The name "Album" makes it feel almost like a beer version of an album!
Hop BroAnd it was brewed at Swan Lake Beer in Niigata as a four-way collaboration. The participants were Swan Lake Beer, KaruizawaQ, Heiwa Craft, and Yamorido.
MugiWhat is that, like a reunion on a trip! So, what style is it?
Hop BroThe style is ALT, which means altbier. It tends to show a beautiful amber malt character, and its appeal is the balance between caramel-like sweetness and gentle bitterness.
MugiWhen you say altbier, I can only think of a high note! What does ALT mean, a musical key?
Hop BroIn this case, it’s the altbier world. It’s a German-style ale with refined bitterness, and this "Album" is designed to be easy to drink at ABV 5% and IBU 33.
MugiOhh! Now there are numbers too! But they really went all out with the ingredients, didn’t they? "All German ingredients" means they’re serious.
Hop BroExactly. The malt uses Weyermann Pils, ISARIA1924, CARAAMBER, MUNICH Type 2, and CARAFA Type 2. The hops are also limited to Hallertauer Mittelfrueh and Spalter Select, and they even included wet hop usage.
MugiWet hop sounds like it has high humidity all of a sudden, but basically does that mean something like freshly picked character?
Hop BroThat’s a good enough understanding. With a rich malt profile as the foundation, the hop bitterness supports it cleanly, and being available on keg at Heiwa Shoten and the various breweries makes it basically a comparison-tasting beer.
MugiWow, just hearing that makes my throat want a drink! If I compare them on draft, I bet the differences will be clear and it’ll be absolutely fun!
Hop BroIt has a completely different personality from Heiwa Craft’s red ale, so this time’s "Album" is definitely one I want to try as the first pour.
MugiAgreed! My head is already full of beer, and now I’m in the mood to drink one right away!
