Isana Brewing Announces Tomato Ale "Whale Dream -GAME-" in Collaboration with Epis Mai
Isana Brewing, based in Akishima City, Tokyo, has unveiled its new beer "Whale Dream -GAME-". This tomato ale, made with tomatoes from Neighbors Farm in Hino City and created in collaboration with the curry shop Epis Mai in Tachikawa City, is also scheduled for a POP UP event at the shop on Saturday, June 13.
Hop BroThe new release from Isana Brewing in Akishima, Whale Dream -GAME-, is interesting. It's a tomato ale, and the fact that it's a collaboration with Epis Mai already makes it pretty intriguing, doesn't it?
MugiHuh, a tomato beer!? At that point I don't know if it's more like a salad or alcohol, and my brain is floating a bit!
Hop BroThat's the good part. It's brewed with tomatoes from Neighbors Farm and teamed up with the curry shop Epis Mai in Tachikawa. It's also designed to be light, at ABV 5% and IBU 17.
MugiABV and IBU always sound a little like spells to me! What’s so great about ABV 5%?
Hop BroRoughly speaking, it's a guide to how easy it is to drink. At a moderate 5%, it doesn't get too heavy even with a meal. And with IBU 17, the bitterness stays gentle, so the tomato's acidity and aroma can come through properly.
MugiI see, if it's not too bitter that's reassuring. But wait, fermented tomato? What is that, it suddenly feels much more like cooking and sounds delicious!
Hop BroThe post says Yu from Epis Mai turned the tomatoes into fermented tomatoes and rounded it out with Nepalese timur for a fresh finish. What's great is that it has a peppery, sansho-like aroma that really lifts the tomato's umami.
MugiWhat even is timur!? Tomato, curry, and spices are all in one place now, and that's a lot of information!
Hop BroVery much in Isana Brewing's style, it has that experimental spirit of Factory & Laboratory. Because they're centered on Akishima's deep groundwater, ingredients, and encounters with people, collaborations like this suit them really well.
MugiAnd they're even doing a POP UP event on Saturday, June 13, right? Just reading about it makes me thirsty, and I’m curious about the canned beer too - I want to go drink it right now!
Isana Brewing, which has operated a brewery and roastery in Akishima City, Tokyo since 2018, has tapped its new beer "Whale Dream -GAME-". On its official Instagram, it lists the style as Tomato Ale, ABV 5%, and IBU 17.
This beer uses tomatoes from Neighbors Farm in Hino City and was brewed as a collaboration with the curry shop "Epis Mai" in Tachikawa City. According to the post, the tomatoes from Neighbors Farm were turned into fermented tomatoes by Yu of Epis Mai, with Nepalese timur added for a bright, refreshing finish.
Isana Brewing is a brewery that continues to make beer as a "Factory & Laboratory," centering its work on Akishima's deep groundwater, ingredients, and encounters with people. Its logo even hides a fermentation tank and the ancient whale "Akishima whale," reflecting its connection to the local community. This "Whale Dream -GAME-" is a beer that clearly reflects that approach.
It was also announced that a POP UP event featuring Epis Mai will be held at Isana's shop on Saturday, June 13. This is a project to mark the completion of the collaboration beer, and reservations are required. The post says stock is already running low, urging people to visit early. It also says one keg will be reserved for the event, and canned beer will also be available.
Information may be inaccurate. Please refer to the brewery’s official channels for the latest details.
Hop BroThe new release from Isana Brewing in Akishima, Whale Dream -GAME-, is interesting. It's a tomato ale, and the fact that it's a collaboration with Epis Mai already makes it pretty intriguing, doesn't it?
MugiHuh, a tomato beer!? At that point I don't know if it's more like a salad or alcohol, and my brain is floating a bit!
Hop BroThat's the good part. It's brewed with tomatoes from Neighbors Farm and teamed up with the curry shop Epis Mai in Tachikawa. It's also designed to be light, at ABV 5% and IBU 17.
MugiABV and IBU always sound a little like spells to me! What’s so great about ABV 5%?
Hop BroRoughly speaking, it's a guide to how easy it is to drink. At a moderate 5%, it doesn't get too heavy even with a meal. And with IBU 17, the bitterness stays gentle, so the tomato's acidity and aroma can come through properly.
MugiI see, if it's not too bitter that's reassuring. But wait, fermented tomato? What is that, it suddenly feels much more like cooking and sounds delicious!
Hop BroThe post says Yu from Epis Mai turned the tomatoes into fermented tomatoes and rounded it out with Nepalese timur for a fresh finish. What's great is that it has a peppery, sansho-like aroma that really lifts the tomato's umami.
MugiWhat even is timur!? Tomato, curry, and spices are all in one place now, and that's a lot of information!
Hop BroVery much in Isana Brewing's style, it has that experimental spirit of Factory & Laboratory. Because they're centered on Akishima's deep groundwater, ingredients, and encounters with people, collaborations like this suit them really well.
MugiAnd they're even doing a POP UP event on Saturday, June 13, right? Just reading about it makes me thirsty, and I’m curious about the canned beer too - I want to go drink it right now!
