Omi Beer introduced its new limited-brew beer, "Takenoko Takenoko Nyokkikki," on Instagram. In the post, the specs were clearly listed as ABV 5.5% / IBU 10, and the beer is described as being finished with bamboo shoot extract to highlight "the faintly fragrant sweetness and flavor of bamboo shoots."

Omi Beer is a craft brewery in Otsu City, Shiga Prefecture. On its official website, it describes itself as "the smallest nano-brewery among small-scale breweries," and in addition to its regular beers, it continues to roll out limited-brew releases such as its "beer of the month." Because it brews in small quantities, one of its strengths is the ability to quickly turn ingredient-driven ideas into actual beers.

This bamboo shoot beer is a good example of that character. The question is not just how to add aroma to an ingredient that becomes more prominent from spring into early summer, but how to fold it into the beer's overall profile. The design, which pairs bamboo shoot's gentle sweetness with a light bitterness, also makes it easy to imagine as a beer that works well with food.

At Omi Beer, limited-brew releases are sold in limited quantities, as befits a small brewery, and sales often begin on the first Sunday of each month at "Beer Sunday." This new release is also worth watching as one of those monthly treats. It is appealing to see how a brewery from Otsu transforms seasonal ingredients into beer. There is a real pleasure in waiting for the next glass.