Kamihei Shuzo Releases "Tohoku Soul IPL" to Mark 15 Years Since the Earthquake
Kamihei Shuzo (Iwate) began selling "Tono Beer ZUMONA Tohoku Soul IPL (350 ml)" on March 11, 2026. Brewed with gratitude for the support received and a wish to give something back, it is a collaboration beer timed to the 15th anniversary of the Great East Japan Earthquake.
Hop BroToday I want to introduce a beer that marks a milestone. Kamihei Shuzo released "Tono Beer ZUMONA Tohoku Soul IPL (350 ml)" on March 11, 2026.
MugiWhoa, even the name sounds powerful! What kind of beer is it?
Hop BroThe style is IPL, or India Pale Lager. It brings out plenty of hop character while highlighting the floral aroma of lager yeast, and it finishes crisp and clean.
MugiWhat? "The floral quality of lager yeast" sounds like some kind of difficult spell!
Hop BroPut simply, the aroma comes across bright and airy, the bitterness has a clear outline when you drink it, and the finish slips away smoothly. It hits hard, but it doesn't feel heavy.
MugiOhhh, that sounds really easy to drink! What are the specs like?
Hop BroIt's 6% ABV and 350 ml. The ingredients are malt (produced in the UK) and hops, and it's also available in 10 L kegs. If you see it on tap, it's the kind of thing that gets you excited.
MugiAnd they released it on March 11, 15 years after the earthquake... You can really feel the thought behind it.
Hop BroExactly. The Tohoku Soul Beer Project started in November 2011, and its core is gratitude for the support it received and a desire to give back. It is an incredibly passionate effort, with breweries across Tohoku going beyond competition and pooling their expertise.
MugiKnowing the story makes it taste twice as good for sure! Tonight we're toasting with Tohoku Soul IPL while feeling that Tono hop character!
Kamihei Shuzo has released "Tono Beer ZUMONA Tohoku Soul IPL (India Pale Lager)" as the 2026 edition of the "Tohoku Soul Beer Project," a collaboration among breweries across Tohoku. According to an Instagram post and an announcement on the official website, sales began on March 11, 2026. It is a beer created to coincide with the 15th anniversary of the earthquake.
This time, the theme is an IPL that emphasizes hop character while making the most of the floral aroma derived from lager yeast. It is designed to bring out the edges of bitterness and aroma while finishing cleanly, making it a good fit for a comparative tasting format. The product specs are 6% ABV, 350 ml, and ingredients of malt (produced in the UK) and hops. In addition, it is also available in 10 L keg form.
The "Tohoku Soul Beer Project" launched in November 2011. As a way of repaying the support received at the time of the earthquake, breweries across Tohoku have pooled their technical expertise and worked to improve quality. The appeal of this project lies in the way brewers who are normally competitors brew to the same theme and, as a region, raise their brewing capability together.
Kamihei Shuzo is based in Tono City, Iwate Prefecture, and continues brewing on two pillars: sake and craft beer. According to official information, it traces its roots to "Tateya Shuzo," founded in 1789, and has continued to build a brewing tradition grounded in the climate and culture of Tono. From Tono, known as a hop-growing region, comes this milestone-year "Tohoku Soul" IPL. Knowing the background before drinking it should make the impression in the glass feel even deeper.
Information may be inaccurate. Please refer to the brewery’s official channels for the latest details.
Hop BroToday I want to introduce a beer that marks a milestone. Kamihei Shuzo released "Tono Beer ZUMONA Tohoku Soul IPL (350 ml)" on March 11, 2026.
MugiWhoa, even the name sounds powerful! What kind of beer is it?
Hop BroThe style is IPL, or India Pale Lager. It brings out plenty of hop character while highlighting the floral aroma of lager yeast, and it finishes crisp and clean.
MugiWhat? "The floral quality of lager yeast" sounds like some kind of difficult spell!
Hop BroPut simply, the aroma comes across bright and airy, the bitterness has a clear outline when you drink it, and the finish slips away smoothly. It hits hard, but it doesn't feel heavy.
MugiOhhh, that sounds really easy to drink! What are the specs like?
Hop BroIt's 6% ABV and 350 ml. The ingredients are malt (produced in the UK) and hops, and it's also available in 10 L kegs. If you see it on tap, it's the kind of thing that gets you excited.
MugiAnd they released it on March 11, 15 years after the earthquake... You can really feel the thought behind it.
Hop BroExactly. The Tohoku Soul Beer Project started in November 2011, and its core is gratitude for the support it received and a desire to give back. It is an incredibly passionate effort, with breweries across Tohoku going beyond competition and pooling their expertise.
MugiKnowing the story makes it taste twice as good for sure! Tonight we're toasting with Tohoku Soul IPL while feeling that Tono hop character!
