HOJO Brewing & Stays Releases Online-Only “New Zealand Saison”
On January 23, 2026, HOJO Brewing & Stays announced a new online-shop-exclusive beer, “New Zealand Saison” (ABV 5.5%). Based on its standard saison, this special version is finished using only New Zealand Nelson Sauvin hops.
Hop BroHere’s the news: Ehime’s HOJO Brewing & Stays released an online-only “New Zealand Saison” on January 23, 2026. It’s a saison with an ABV of 5.5%!
MugiWhoa! The name already sounds like a trip abroad. How is it different from a regular saison?
Hop BroThis one is a “single-hop” beer made only with Nelson Sauvin. The standard version uses three European hop varieties, so the recipe is very different.
MugiWhat? Is single-hop kind of like solo karaoke?
Hop BroGood analogy! It’s like letting one hop variety show off its character. This one is said to have a sweet impression reminiscent of white grapes, with slightly milder spiciness.
MugiWow! The moment I heard “white grapes,” the sophistication level suddenly went up three notches!
Hop BroAnd there’s no dry hopping. So instead of piling on aroma, it’s more about carefully showing the structure of a saison. They’re aiming for a balance that’s easy to keep drinking.
MugiTaking on the challenge without dry hopping is actually cool! It’s like natural beauty instead of heavy makeup!
Hop BroExactly. The brewery is also recommending a comparison with the regular version, so it’s great for tasting how hop varieties differ. If you buy it, go through the official online shop.
MugiAlright, let’s line up the regular version and New Zealand Saison for a tasting session! My throat is already on saison standby!
On January 23, 2026, Ehime-based HOJO Brewing & Stays announced a new release on Instagram. The beer being released this time is the online-shop-exclusive “New Zealand Saison.” It is a saison with an alcohol content of 5.5%, positioned as an evolved version of the brewery’s standard lineup.
What Makes It a “Special Edition”
The brewery’s usual saison release is built with three European hop varieties, designed around spicy, floral, and herbal elements. This time, however, it is a single-hop beer made only with New Zealand Nelson Sauvin.
In the post, the flavor was described as having “a sweetness reminiscent of white grapes” and “slightly milder spiciness.” Rather than emphasizing flashy hop expression, the brewery also highlighted its focus on balance that makes the beer easy to keep drinking without fatigue. It also said that no dry hopping was done, so rather than a hop-forward style, this release seems aimed at carefully showcasing a saison-like structure.
Notes for Drinkers
As the brewery itself noted, “if you compare it with the regular version, the hop character becomes easier to understand,” making this bottle well suited to side-by-side tasting. It is a release that lets drinkers experience how hop-variety differences come through while retaining the core of a more classic saison.
About HOJO Brewing & Stays
HOJO Brewing & Stays is a brewery based in Ehime. The post also clearly directed readers to its own online shop, and this limited release is likewise sold through the official online shop. It is an accessible release not only for local fans, but also for craft beer fans elsewhere.
Purchases can be checked at the official shop (https://hojobrewingandstays.myshopify.com/).
Information may be inaccurate. Please refer to the brewery’s official channels for the latest details.
Hop BroHere’s the news: Ehime’s HOJO Brewing & Stays released an online-only “New Zealand Saison” on January 23, 2026. It’s a saison with an ABV of 5.5%!
MugiWhoa! The name already sounds like a trip abroad. How is it different from a regular saison?
Hop BroThis one is a “single-hop” beer made only with Nelson Sauvin. The standard version uses three European hop varieties, so the recipe is very different.
MugiWhat? Is single-hop kind of like solo karaoke?
Hop BroGood analogy! It’s like letting one hop variety show off its character. This one is said to have a sweet impression reminiscent of white grapes, with slightly milder spiciness.
MugiWow! The moment I heard “white grapes,” the sophistication level suddenly went up three notches!
Hop BroAnd there’s no dry hopping. So instead of piling on aroma, it’s more about carefully showing the structure of a saison. They’re aiming for a balance that’s easy to keep drinking.
MugiTaking on the challenge without dry hopping is actually cool! It’s like natural beauty instead of heavy makeup!
Hop BroExactly. The brewery is also recommending a comparison with the regular version, so it’s great for tasting how hop varieties differ. If you buy it, go through the official online shop.
MugiAlright, let’s line up the regular version and New Zealand Saison for a tasting session! My throat is already on saison standby!
