HOPJAPAN TAPROOM Iwaki opens two Valentine-limited beers for a White/Black tasting matchup
HOPJAPAN TAPROOM Iwaki (PAL 3F, Iwaki Station Building) announced limited beer offerings for a Valentine campaign. In the post, head brewer Mr. Takeishi and brewer Mr. Murasue each brewed White-style and Black-style beers on tap, and a tasting event was announced where guests vote for their favorite.
Hop BroToday's highlight is the Valentine campaign at HOPJAPAN TAPROOM IWAKI, where you get to taste and compare White-style and Black-style beers.
MugiWait, a Valentine beer face-off? That's the kind of thing that makes you think harder than chocolate!
Hop BroAnd the brews were made by head brewer Takeishi and brewer Murasue, so you can experience the makers' different interpretations directly in the glass.
MugiHuh! But White-style and Black-style are just different colors, right?
Hop BroThat's the interesting part: White leans toward a lighter, more aromatic profile, while Black tends to bring out roasted nuances from the roasted malt.
MugiRoasted malt? What is that, did science class suddenly start?!
Hop BroSimply put, it's a grain ingredient toasted until it turns nicely browned, giving off coffee-like toastiness. In other words, it's the beer's "seared aroma."
MugiThat's so easy to get! And since it's draft only with no bottles, the value of drinking it on site is super high!
Hop BroExactly. Being on the 3rd floor of PAL in the Iwaki Station Building makes it easy to get to, and the key point this time is the participatory tasting where you compare the two and vote for your favorite.
MugiI've decided: I'm ordering both White and Black and voting for both! Let's go now and toast!
A seasonal two-choice setup at a taproom directly connected to Iwaki Station
At the beer pub "HOPJAPAN TAPROOM IWAKI" on the 3rd floor of PAL, Iwaki Station Building in Iwaki, Fukushima Prefecture, a limited Valentine-themed campaign was announced. The concept is to compare "Valentine beers" in White and Black styles, brewed separately by two makers from the company's brewery.
The beers on offer are two types: "White-style" and "Black-style"
The post explicitly states the following lineup.
- White-style Valentine beer (HOP JAPAN)
- Black-style Valentine beer (HOP JAPAN)
Both are mainly served on tap, with no bottled sales. It's a participatory format where drinkers compare the two varieties and vote for their favorite.
Why tasting them at TAPROOM Iwaki matters
In addition to being conveniently located inside the station building, the shop's direct operation offers the appeal of serving beer at peak freshness. Experiences like this, where even with the same event theme you can feel how each brewer interprets it differently, are where the fun of craft beer comes through most clearly. For a seasonal event that might evoke sweetness, what differences will appear in the glass in aroma, roasted character, mouthfeel, and finish? If you order with a side-by-side tasting in mind, you can enjoy the concept more deeply.
During the Valentine's season, the fact that they are not simply releasing a limited beer but presenting an experience of "comparing and choosing" makes this a topic that beer fans won't want to miss.
Information may be inaccurate. Please refer to the venue’s official channels for the latest details.
Hop BroToday's highlight is the Valentine campaign at HOPJAPAN TAPROOM IWAKI, where you get to taste and compare White-style and Black-style beers.
MugiWait, a Valentine beer face-off? That's the kind of thing that makes you think harder than chocolate!
Hop BroAnd the brews were made by head brewer Takeishi and brewer Murasue, so you can experience the makers' different interpretations directly in the glass.
MugiHuh! But White-style and Black-style are just different colors, right?
Hop BroThat's the interesting part: White leans toward a lighter, more aromatic profile, while Black tends to bring out roasted nuances from the roasted malt.
MugiRoasted malt? What is that, did science class suddenly start?!
Hop BroSimply put, it's a grain ingredient toasted until it turns nicely browned, giving off coffee-like toastiness. In other words, it's the beer's "seared aroma."
MugiThat's so easy to get! And since it's draft only with no bottles, the value of drinking it on site is super high!
Hop BroExactly. Being on the 3rd floor of PAL in the Iwaki Station Building makes it easy to get to, and the key point this time is the participatory tasting where you compare the two and vote for your favorite.
MugiI've decided: I'm ordering both White and Black and voting for both! Let's go now and toast!
