Tsumagoi Kogen Brewery reports hop growth and a 30th-anniversary beer event
On June 6, Tsumagoi Kogen Brewery in Gunma shared an update showing its hop trellis thriving despite recent rainy weather. The brewery also announced details for a 30th-anniversary all-you-can-drink draft beer course on June 20 and 21.
Hop BroBig topic today: Tsumagoi Kogen Brewery is showing off fast-growing hop trellises despite the rain, and it also announced a 30th-anniversary all-you-can-drink draft beer course.
MugiWhat! 30th anniversary free-flow already sounds dangerous in the best way. And the hops are thriving in all that rain too?
Hop BroYep. It's a microbrewery in Tsumagoi, Gunma, and the big draw is its homegrown hops for its craft beer.
MugiWhoa! But hang on, what is spent grain? That suddenly sounds like a lab experiment.
Hop BroIt's the grain left after brewing. They spread it around the hop yard, and this batch had lactic fermentation help, so it's not just random leftovers.
MugiWait, what? Fertilizer with a yogurt-like aroma? My brain and nose are arguing now!
Hop BroThat's the fun part: a hop harvest festival might come back this year. Also, no beer name yet here, so the article is more about the field and the event than one specific label or style.
MugiGot it, so this is more local brewery news than a single beer review. How urgent is almost fully booked?
Hop BroThe event runs June 20 and 21. The draft beer all-you-can-drink course is 3,500 yen, the driver-friendly soft drink version is 2,500 yen, and reservations are by phone for groups of two or more.
MugiAnd only one group left for the 11 a.m. slot on the 20th, plus three groups left for 4 p.m. on the 21st? That's last-call seating energy!
Hop BroThey paused restaurant operations in fall 2024, then resumed takeaway beer sales and in-house draft service in April 2025, and hearing that field to glass flow makes me want a pint immediately.
MugiAt this point I'm done resisting. I want to toast the hop growth with the draft beer course, and you can sit next to me doing live commentary!
Tsumagoi Kogen Brewery, a self-brewing microbrewery in Tsumagoi Village, Gunma, posted an update on Instagram on June 6 about the growth of its hop trellis and its 30th-anniversary plans. In the post, the brewery said the hops are continuing to grow steadily even though the area has seen frequent rain lately.
According to the caption, the team recently spread brewing spent grain around the hop trellis and pulled weeds. The spent grain has a mild, yogurt-like sour aroma rather than an unpleasant smell because lactic acid bacteria are used during the bagging process to encourage fermentation. The brewery also suggested that a hop harvest festival, which has not been held for some time, might be possible this year, though it stopped short of making a firm announcement.
The brewery’s 30th-anniversary event is also moving forward. Reservations are nearly full, but a few seats remain:
- Dates: June 20 (Sat) and June 21 (Sun)
- Format: All-you-can-drink draft beer course
- Price: 3,500 yen, with a 2,500 yen soft-drink-only option for designated drivers
- Booking: Phone reservations only, for parties of two or more
- Remaining slots: One group at 11:00 on June 20, three groups at 16:00 on June 21
Tsumagoi Kogen Brewery is known for brewing with homegrown hops in a scenic corner of Gunma Prefecture. Its official website says the restaurant side was paused in autumn 2024, while takeout beer sales and on-site draft beer service resumed in April 2025. That background gives the Instagram update additional context: the brewery is still closely tied to its fields, its beer, and the people who come to drink it.
Information may be inaccurate. Please refer to the brewery’s official channels for the latest details.
Hop BroBig topic today: Tsumagoi Kogen Brewery is showing off fast-growing hop trellises despite the rain, and it also announced a 30th-anniversary all-you-can-drink draft beer course.
MugiWhat! 30th anniversary free-flow already sounds dangerous in the best way. And the hops are thriving in all that rain too?
Hop BroYep. It's a microbrewery in Tsumagoi, Gunma, and the big draw is its homegrown hops for its craft beer.
MugiWhoa! But hang on, what is spent grain? That suddenly sounds like a lab experiment.
Hop BroIt's the grain left after brewing. They spread it around the hop yard, and this batch had lactic fermentation help, so it's not just random leftovers.
MugiWait, what? Fertilizer with a yogurt-like aroma? My brain and nose are arguing now!
Hop BroThat's the fun part: a hop harvest festival might come back this year. Also, no beer name yet here, so the article is more about the field and the event than one specific label or style.
MugiGot it, so this is more local brewery news than a single beer review. How urgent is almost fully booked?
Hop BroThe event runs June 20 and 21. The draft beer all-you-can-drink course is 3,500 yen, the driver-friendly soft drink version is 2,500 yen, and reservations are by phone for groups of two or more.
MugiAnd only one group left for the 11 a.m. slot on the 20th, plus three groups left for 4 p.m. on the 21st? That's last-call seating energy!
Hop BroThey paused restaurant operations in fall 2024, then resumed takeaway beer sales and in-house draft service in April 2025, and hearing that field to glass flow makes me want a pint immediately.
MugiAt this point I'm done resisting. I want to toast the hop growth with the draft beer course, and you can sit next to me doing live commentary!
