Umenishiki Yamakawa Introduces "Maru the Hop" for Cat Day, an Ehime Craft Beer with a Cat Label
Ehime's Umenishiki Yamakawa posted on Instagram at 8:24 a.m. on February 20, 2026, saying, "February 22 is Cat Day," and introduced the cat-label craft beer "Maru the Hop." The label features Maru, the protagonist of "The Sad Chubby Cat," making it a suggestion timed to Cat Day.
Hop BroToday's topic is Maru the Hop, introduced by Ehime's Umenishiki Yamakawa for Cat Day! It's a bottle that will appeal to both cat-label fans and craft beer fans.
MugiWhoa! Even the name is cute! And Cat Day is February 22, right?
Hop BroThat's right. They announced it in an Instagram post at 8:24 a.m. on February 20, 2026, and the protagonist, 'Chubby Cat Maru,' is right there on the label. They described it as a beer with a refreshing hop aroma and a crisp finish.
MugiWhat?! 'Crisp finish' doesn't mean like a knife, right!?
Hop BroImportant distinction. In beer, 'crisp' means the aftertaste fades cleanly. It means it's not too heavy and easy to drink. And the ingredients are interesting too: malt plus wheat and naked barley from Ehime Prefecture, iyokan peel, coriander, and hops.
MugiIyokan peel and coriander!? Suddenly it sounds like a cooking show! What style is it?
Hop BroIt's not explicitly stated, but judging from the ingredient mix, it's closer to a Belgian white in concept. Citrus and spice lift the aroma, while the wheat gives it a softer character.
MugiOhhh! So it's not just cute, it's seriously made too. 330 ml for 737 yen tax included and 5.0% alcohol makes it just right to try!
Hop BroAnd Umenishiki Yamakawa is a brewery in Shikokuchuo, Ehime Prefecture, founded in Meiji 5. Built on sake brewing techniques, it has been making Umenishiki Beer since 1995, and it's positioned as Ehime's first local beer.
MugiIt has history, local flavor, and cats all in one! It's dirty that all that information is cute too!
Hop BroIt's a refrigerated beer you want to enjoy for the aroma, and it's the perfect reason to open one on Cat Day. Talking about it has made me completely want to drink it.
MugiSame here! I want to admire the label, savor the aroma, and toast! Let's go for 'Maru the Hop' tonight!
Umenishiki Yamakawa (Ehime) introduced "Maru the Hop" on its official Instagram as one beer to enjoy ahead of Cat Day (February 22). In the post, the company described the product as a beer with Chubby Cat Maru on the label and as a crisp beer with a refreshing hop aroma. It is being promoted to cat lovers and fans of cute labels alike.
According to official lineup information, "Maru the Hop" is a collaboration between Umenishiki Beer and "The Sad Chubby Cat." It comes in 330 ml bottles (737 yen, tax included) and has an alcohol content of 5.0%. In addition to malt, the ingredients include wheat and naked barley from Ehime Prefecture, iyokan peel, coriander, and hops, and it is offered as a refrigerated craft beer.
Umenishiki Yamakawa is a sake brewery based in Shikokuchuo, Ehime Prefecture, founded in Meiji 5. Backed by brewing techniques cultivated through sake, it has been brewing Umenishiki Beer since 1995, and its website positions it as Ehime Prefecture's first local beer. This post can be seen as seasonal information sharing that combines a regional craft beer with a character tie-in.
If you're choosing something for Cat Day, pay attention not just to the fun of the label, but also to the aroma from the iyokan peel and the spice ingredients. For beer fans, it seems likely to be a good chance to try a bottle packed with Ehime local context.
Information may be inaccurate. Please refer to the brewery’s official channels for the latest details.
Hop BroToday's topic is Maru the Hop, introduced by Ehime's Umenishiki Yamakawa for Cat Day! It's a bottle that will appeal to both cat-label fans and craft beer fans.
MugiWhoa! Even the name is cute! And Cat Day is February 22, right?
Hop BroThat's right. They announced it in an Instagram post at 8:24 a.m. on February 20, 2026, and the protagonist, 'Chubby Cat Maru,' is right there on the label. They described it as a beer with a refreshing hop aroma and a crisp finish.
MugiWhat?! 'Crisp finish' doesn't mean like a knife, right!?
Hop BroImportant distinction. In beer, 'crisp' means the aftertaste fades cleanly. It means it's not too heavy and easy to drink. And the ingredients are interesting too: malt plus wheat and naked barley from Ehime Prefecture, iyokan peel, coriander, and hops.
MugiIyokan peel and coriander!? Suddenly it sounds like a cooking show! What style is it?
Hop BroIt's not explicitly stated, but judging from the ingredient mix, it's closer to a Belgian white in concept. Citrus and spice lift the aroma, while the wheat gives it a softer character.
MugiOhhh! So it's not just cute, it's seriously made too. 330 ml for 737 yen tax included and 5.0% alcohol makes it just right to try!
Hop BroAnd Umenishiki Yamakawa is a brewery in Shikokuchuo, Ehime Prefecture, founded in Meiji 5. Built on sake brewing techniques, it has been making Umenishiki Beer since 1995, and it's positioned as Ehime's first local beer.
MugiIt has history, local flavor, and cats all in one! It's dirty that all that information is cute too!
Hop BroIt's a refrigerated beer you want to enjoy for the aroma, and it's the perfect reason to open one on Cat Day. Talking about it has made me completely want to drink it.
MugiSame here! I want to admire the label, savor the aroma, and toast! Let's go for 'Maru the Hop' tonight!
