Inkhorn Brewing, based in Mejiro, Toshima Ward, Tokyo, unveiled its new "Vacation Mysteries #5" on Instagram. The style is a fruit sour, the alcohol content is 5.5%, and this is the first release in the series in about a year.

The major change in this batch is the yeast. Instead of the California ale yeast it has often used for clear IPAs, the brewery switched to a house yeast that has been carried through many generations. The goal was to preserve the outline of the acidity while adding slight sweet nuances and softness. The brewery says that change worked well for this batch.

The flavor design is straightforward. Guava puree and passion fruit juice bring out tropical aromas, while the acidity is kept at a moderate level. The malt bill uses Extra Pils, Wheat, and Oats, creating a structure that adds minerality along with the roundness from the wheat and oats. The hops are Citra Cryo, and Lactobacillus is also listed among the other ingredients.

In the brewery's comment, the beer is described as "a beer like a Hazy Pale Ale that was soured and had puree and juice added instead of hops." The finished beer leans heavily into juiciness, and the brewery also suggests that even people who are not usually into beer may find it approachable if they enjoy sour drinks.

Inkhorn Brewing is a brewery operating in Mejiro, Tokyo. This beer also shows a style of individuality built through recipe design and ingredient use rather than flash. It is a carefully crafted release that should appeal not only to people following the series, but also to anyone looking for a fruit-forward sour.