Hopkotan Brewing Releases New AKIRA Series Beer, "AKIRA Bayashi" Märzen
Hopkotan Brewing in Kamifurano, Hokkaido, has introduced a new release from its regular AKIRA series, "AKIRA Bayashi." The style is Märzenbier, made with HKB001 hops grown in Kamifurano. It is designed at 5.5% ABV and IBU 27, and sales are expected to begin as early as this weekend.
Hop BroToday I want to introduce a new release from Hopkotan Brewing in Kamifurano, Hokkaido. "AKIRA Bayashi" from the AKIRA series is the kind of beer that Märzen fans will love.
MugiWhoa! The name AKIRA Bayashi already has me curious! And Märzen somehow feels like it has the sound of autumn, doesn't it?
Hop BroThe style is Märzenbier, with 5.5% ABV and an IBU of 27. It brings the richness of malt to the front while using bitterness to keep everything nicely supported, so it's a very well-balanced beer.
MugiIBU 27? Wait, is that the bitterness number? Hearing 27 makes it feel like a test score, and suddenly it sounds like an honor student!
Hop BroExactly. IBU is a measure of bitterness. This one uses HKB001 hops grown in Kamifurano, so instead of being aggressively bitter, it plays a gentle role that ties the whole beer together.
MugiWhat?! An original hop variety? That's basically a secret weapon from a research lab. It sounds strong from the name alone, but it's actually gentle?
Hop BroAnd in the brewers' notes, the key point is that they bring out depth through decoction. That's a method where part of the wort is boiled again and returned, which really lifts the malt's body.
MugiWait, boil it and put it back? They go to that much trouble? That's the kind of thing where a cooking show suddenly has more people in the middle of it!
Hop BroExactly. On top of that, they use a longer boil to draw out toastiness and sweetness, so the aroma should come across like sweet baked barley goods. The mouthfeel is smooth too, and even though it's substantial, it's easy to keep drinking.
MugiWow, hearing that malt richness takes center stage makes me want to drink it already! A fall style brought out at the start of summer in Hokkaido feels like jumping the season, which is amazing.
Hop BroAnd since it's expected to go on sale as early as this weekend, you might be able to find it at restaurants, liquor shops, or directly operated stores. It's a very Hopkotan Brewing kind of beer, made with local hops, and it's one I want to see on shelves and drink right away.
MugiTotally! If it's a glass that gets a head start on autumn, I'd want to enjoy it slowly after work. Hop brother, let's go toast together right now!
Hopkotan Brewing in Kamifurano, Hokkaido, has announced a new beer, "AKIRA Bayashi." This release is a Märzenbier. The ingredients are malt (foreignly produced) and hops from Kamifurano, with an alcohol content of 5.5% and an IBU of 27.
In the announcement, the beer is introduced as a single-batch brew using the original hop variety HKB001, and the style design itself suggests a finish centered on the richness of malt. According to the brewers' notes, Märzen was originally brewed in March so it could last through the summer and then be enjoyed at Oktoberfest in the fall. This time, while respecting that tradition, the brewery has kept caramel malt in check and brought out the malt's body and depth through decoction and a longer boil.
The aroma leads with a toasty, sweet impression of barley, and the mouthfeel is smooth. The gentle bitterness of the original hop HKB001 supports the whole beer, resulting in a brew that feels substantial but remains easy to keep drinking. The idea of bringing a fall style forward to the beginning of summer in Hokkaido is also very much in the company's style.
Hopkotan Brewing is based in Kamifurano, Hokkaido, and has continued making beer rooted in hop-growing country. On its official website as well, the brewery states its commitment to "brewing with local hops," and this new release is an extension of that approach. It is expected to be available at restaurants, liquor retailers, and directly operated shops nationwide as early as this weekend.
Information may be inaccurate. Please refer to the brewery’s official channels for the latest details.
Hop BroToday I want to introduce a new release from Hopkotan Brewing in Kamifurano, Hokkaido. "AKIRA Bayashi" from the AKIRA series is the kind of beer that Märzen fans will love.
MugiWhoa! The name AKIRA Bayashi already has me curious! And Märzen somehow feels like it has the sound of autumn, doesn't it?
Hop BroThe style is Märzenbier, with 5.5% ABV and an IBU of 27. It brings the richness of malt to the front while using bitterness to keep everything nicely supported, so it's a very well-balanced beer.
MugiIBU 27? Wait, is that the bitterness number? Hearing 27 makes it feel like a test score, and suddenly it sounds like an honor student!
Hop BroExactly. IBU is a measure of bitterness. This one uses HKB001 hops grown in Kamifurano, so instead of being aggressively bitter, it plays a gentle role that ties the whole beer together.
MugiWhat?! An original hop variety? That's basically a secret weapon from a research lab. It sounds strong from the name alone, but it's actually gentle?
Hop BroAnd in the brewers' notes, the key point is that they bring out depth through decoction. That's a method where part of the wort is boiled again and returned, which really lifts the malt's body.
MugiWait, boil it and put it back? They go to that much trouble? That's the kind of thing where a cooking show suddenly has more people in the middle of it!
Hop BroExactly. On top of that, they use a longer boil to draw out toastiness and sweetness, so the aroma should come across like sweet baked barley goods. The mouthfeel is smooth too, and even though it's substantial, it's easy to keep drinking.
MugiWow, hearing that malt richness takes center stage makes me want to drink it already! A fall style brought out at the start of summer in Hokkaido feels like jumping the season, which is amazing.
Hop BroAnd since it's expected to go on sale as early as this weekend, you might be able to find it at restaurants, liquor shops, or directly operated stores. It's a very Hopkotan Brewing kind of beer, made with local hops, and it's one I want to see on shelves and drink right away.
MugiTotally! If it's a glass that gets a head start on autumn, I'd want to enjoy it slowly after work. Hop brother, let's go toast together right now!
