New Release: “Limestone”

On March 28, Big Hand Bros Brewery released its new beer, “Limestone.” The style is Lime Curd Sour. With an alcohol content of 5.0% and an IBU of 17, it is being introduced as a sour ale made with juice from limes grown in Kagawa Prefecture.

When poured into a glass, the first thing that rises is the fresh aroma of lime. On the palate, rather than a sharp, aggressive acidity, gentle tartness, a subtle sweetness reminiscent of Lime Curd, and a thick, smooth texture layer together. The official description also calls it “not too sour, mellow, and dessert-like to drink,” suggesting a design that delivers not only refreshment but also a gentle depth of flavor.

Free-Spirited Beer from Nishijin, Kyoto

Big Hand Bros Brewery operates its brewhouse in the Nishijin area of Kyoto City. One of its defining traits is that it brews in the basement of a retro building while continuing to create beer with a strong emphasis on design. The head brewer began his career with homebrewing in the UK and has learned a wide range of brewing methods. Rather than limiting itself to a single style, the brewery freely pursues the beers it wants to make, and that approach is reflected in this Limestone release as well.

The brewery also handles not only brewing, but also canning, kegging, and label application in-house. Though small in scale, it values a size that remains close to hand and carefully finishes both flavor and appearance.

What to Look Forward To

Limestone is a beer that promises the clear acidity typical of a sour ale, but does not end there with just sourness alone. It begins lightly with lime aroma, then finishes with sweetness and texture that round out the aftertaste, making it seem like a good choice even as a post-meal drink. True to Big Hand Bros, which continues to make distinctive beers in Nishijin, Kyoto, this new release straightforwardly conveys the impression of its ingredients while leaving the drinker with a slightly unexpected softness.