Shiga Kogen Beer Releases SHIGA KOGEN IPA 2.03 Center of the Universe
Tamamura Honten’s Shiga Kogen Beer has released SHIGA KOGEN IPA 2.03 Center of the Universe, the third installment in its SHIGA KOGEN IPA 2 series. The new 330 ml bottle version revisits the malt and hop lineup and continues the brewery’s search for a second pillar alongside its flagship IPA.
Hop BroI’ve got a new Shiga Kogen release to talk about today. It’s SHIGA KOGEN IPA 2.03 Center of the Universe.
MugiWait, Center of the Universe? That name is huge! It already sounds bigger than my pint glass!
Hop BroAnd it’s the third IPA 2 release, meant to become a second core pillar alongside the regular Shiga Kogen IPA.
MugiWhoa, but what even is IPA 2? My beer brain is not keeping up yet!
Hop BroThis one leans on a rebuilt malt-hop recipe with pilsner malt, pale Maris Otter, European aroma hops, New Zealand varieties, and homegrown Cascade.
MugiHold on, who is Maris Otter? That sounds like the bassist in an indie band!
Hop BroNot a person, a malt. That elegant British malt gives it a clean, dry base while still keeping enough body underneath.
MugiOkay, now I’m in! Lemon and white-flower aromas sounds ridiculously fresh, and the bright blonde color makes it even better.
Hop BroExactly. At 6.5% ABV, 40 IBU, the bitterness has a clear shape, but it stays clean and dry enough to work beautifully with food.
MugiAnd a 330ml bottle format makes it easy to put on the table. White fish, chicken, grilled pork, even Japanese food? That’s absurdly versatile!
Hop BroRight, it feels like a bottle I want tonight. Pair it with olive oil or lemon-forward dishes, and the hop character should really pop.
MugiI’m fully at I need this now. If the center of the universe is in Nagano, let’s go toast it immediately!
Shiga Kogen Beer, brewed by Tamamura Honten in Yamanouchi, Nagano, has launched SHIGA KOGEN IPA 2.03 Center of the Universe. In the brewery’s official blog, it is presented as the third release in the SHIGA KOGEN IPA 2 line, a project intended to stand beside the brewery’s flagship Shiga Kogen IPA as a second core offering.
For this batch, the brewery changed both the malt and hop composition again. The grist uses pilsner malt and pale Maris Otter, while the hop bill combines a European aroma hop, a New Zealand variety, and a generous amount of homegrown Cascade. The label color also shifts from orange to green to reflect the new flavor direction. The beer is listed at 6.5% ABV and 40 IBU, and the profile is described as a bright blonde beer with lemon-like citrus and white-flower aromas.
The brewery says the beer finishes clean and dry, but still has enough malt support and a clearly defined bitterness. Suggested food pairings include white fish, chicken, pork grills, dishes with olive oil or lemon, and even Japanese meals. As a 330 ml bottle offering, it shows the brewery’s ongoing effort to build a hop-forward but food-friendly beer that still feels recognizably Shiga Kogen.
Information may be inaccurate. Please refer to the brewery’s official channels for the latest details.
Hop BroI’ve got a new Shiga Kogen release to talk about today. It’s SHIGA KOGEN IPA 2.03 Center of the Universe.
MugiWait, Center of the Universe? That name is huge! It already sounds bigger than my pint glass!
Hop BroAnd it’s the third IPA 2 release, meant to become a second core pillar alongside the regular Shiga Kogen IPA.
MugiWhoa, but what even is IPA 2? My beer brain is not keeping up yet!
Hop BroThis one leans on a rebuilt malt-hop recipe with pilsner malt, pale Maris Otter, European aroma hops, New Zealand varieties, and homegrown Cascade.
MugiHold on, who is Maris Otter? That sounds like the bassist in an indie band!
Hop BroNot a person, a malt. That elegant British malt gives it a clean, dry base while still keeping enough body underneath.
MugiOkay, now I’m in! Lemon and white-flower aromas sounds ridiculously fresh, and the bright blonde color makes it even better.
Hop BroExactly. At 6.5% ABV, 40 IBU, the bitterness has a clear shape, but it stays clean and dry enough to work beautifully with food.
MugiAnd a 330ml bottle format makes it easy to put on the table. White fish, chicken, grilled pork, even Japanese food? That’s absurdly versatile!
Hop BroRight, it feels like a bottle I want tonight. Pair it with olive oil or lemon-forward dishes, and the hop character should really pop.
MugiI’m fully at I need this now. If the center of the universe is in Nagano, let’s go toast it immediately!
