Saien Microbrewery Begins Serving New Citra-Aromatic “Hop Cider”
Saien Microbrewery with Kitchen in Morioka, Iwate announced the arrival of its new “Hop Cider” in an Instagram post at 17:16 on March 11, 2026. Built on a dry cider base and layered with citrus aromas from Citra hops, the drink is notable for its design that puts apple tartness at the center.
Hop BroA new release has arrived from Saien Microbrewery with Kitchen in Morioka: the “Hop Cider”! It’s a bottle that layers the bright citrus aroma of Citra hops over dry cider.
MugiWait, hops in cider!? Is it beer? Is it apple? Which side are you on!
Hop BroThat’s what makes it interesting. The style is a “dry cider with hops.” The star is still the crisp tartness of apple, and the bitterness isn’t pushed to the front, so it seems designed that way.
MugiDid you just throw in a craftsman word like “designed” out of nowhere? And isn’t Citra hops like some kind of citrus syrup?
Hop BroNot syrup! Citra is the name of a hop variety, and it’s great at grapefruit- or lime-like aromas. It’s being used as an “aromatic layer,” not for bitterness.
MugiOhhh! So it’s not like apple juice flavor, but more of a crisp, grown-up drink with aroma that floats in!
Hop BroYou’ve got it exactly. Their Instagram also described it as “a new glass that layers a refreshing hop aroma over dry cider,” so it feels like they’re aiming for that middle ground between beer lovers and cider lovers.
MugiMiddle ground sounds cool! So it’s a drink that crosses the border of flavor countries!? Now I suddenly want to go on an adventure!
Hop BroAnd Saien Microbrewery with Kitchen is produced by Baeren Brewery, so they’re good at challenge-driven menu items made with in-house brewing. This Hop Cider is the kind of drink that works both with food and on its own, and my throat is already applauding ahead of me because I want one now.
MugiThat’s the best! I want one right now too! Let’s go confirm the apple tartness and Citra aroma with a toast!
Saien Microbrewery with Kitchen (Iwate) announced the availability of its new “Hop Cider” in an Instagram post.
In the post, it was described as “a new glass that layers the fresh aroma of hops over dry cider.” Its flavor direction is said to be built around the crisp tartness of apples, with a gentle overlay of citrus aroma from Citra hops. The post also emphasized that it is finished with a balance that does not put strong beer-like bitterness in the foreground, keeping apple as the star.
For craft beer fans, the key point is how the hops are used. By using hops not for bitterness but as an aromatic layer, the cider keeps its fruit character while becoming lighter and more refreshing to drink. From the wording of the post, it comes across as a new product aimed at the “middle ground” that can appeal to both beer lovers and cider lovers.
The shop is a pub brewery (a restaurant with brewing facilities) located in Saien 1-chome, Morioka City, and its official website describes it as “the first microbrewery in the central Morioka city area.” While it is a venue produced by Baeren Brewery, it has been rolling out challenging drinks that make use of its in-house brewing equipment, and this “Hop Cider” continues that approach.
The official drink information also includes Baeren’s dry cider in the lineup, so this new release may be seen as further expanding the shop’s message beyond beer alone. For drinkers who love hop aroma, it looks set to become a new option that can be enjoyed both with meals and on its own.
Information may be inaccurate. Please refer to the brewery’s official channels for the latest details.
Hop BroA new release has arrived from Saien Microbrewery with Kitchen in Morioka: the “Hop Cider”! It’s a bottle that layers the bright citrus aroma of Citra hops over dry cider.
MugiWait, hops in cider!? Is it beer? Is it apple? Which side are you on!
Hop BroThat’s what makes it interesting. The style is a “dry cider with hops.” The star is still the crisp tartness of apple, and the bitterness isn’t pushed to the front, so it seems designed that way.
MugiDid you just throw in a craftsman word like “designed” out of nowhere? And isn’t Citra hops like some kind of citrus syrup?
Hop BroNot syrup! Citra is the name of a hop variety, and it’s great at grapefruit- or lime-like aromas. It’s being used as an “aromatic layer,” not for bitterness.
MugiOhhh! So it’s not like apple juice flavor, but more of a crisp, grown-up drink with aroma that floats in!
Hop BroYou’ve got it exactly. Their Instagram also described it as “a new glass that layers a refreshing hop aroma over dry cider,” so it feels like they’re aiming for that middle ground between beer lovers and cider lovers.
MugiMiddle ground sounds cool! So it’s a drink that crosses the border of flavor countries!? Now I suddenly want to go on an adventure!
Hop BroAnd Saien Microbrewery with Kitchen is produced by Baeren Brewery, so they’re good at challenge-driven menu items made with in-house brewing. This Hop Cider is the kind of drink that works both with food and on its own, and my throat is already applauding ahead of me because I want one now.
MugiThat’s the best! I want one right now too! Let’s go confirm the apple tartness and Citra aroma with a toast!
