Hop Kotan Brewing Announces New Hop-Forward IPA "HOP IN MY HEAD"
Hop Kotan Brewing in Kamifurano, Hokkaido announced its new beer "HOP IN MY HEAD" in an Instagram post on March 26. The style is American IPA, ABV 6.0%, IBU 55. Centered on Cascade grown in Kamifurano, it looks set to attract attention as a spring release.
Hop BroBreaking news: Hop Kotan Brewing in Hokkaido is releasing a new beer, HOP IN MY HEAD!
MugiWhoa! That name goes hard! What kind of new IPA is it?
Hop BroIt's an American IPA with ABV 6.0% and IBU 55, built on a super hop-heavy design.
MugiWhat? IBU and whirlpool sound like spellbook words to me!
Hop BroIBU is a measure of bitterness, and the whirlpool is a process for bringing out aroma. This time, they hit it hard with Cascade grown in Kamifurano there.
MugiOhh! A local hop taking center stage is amazing! And about three times the usual amount of Cascade is seriously intense, isn't it?
Hop BroOn top of that, they layer Citra, Mosaic, and Strata to create white-grape notes, citrus, tropical fruit, and even a gentle dank character.
MugiThat's a lot of information! An IBU of 55 but no harsh edges means it's basically bitter but gentle?!
Hop BroExactly. The malt bill is mostly Pilsner to keep it light, with Pale Ale malt added for body in a carefully balanced design.
MugiAnd if all goes well, we can find it in shops nationwide and at the directly operated BEER KOTAN as early as this weekend, so the chance to try it is pretty high!
Hop BroPlus, they may be pouring it at the Keyaki Hiroba Spring Beer Festival in May, so this is definitely a beer I want to drink right now!
MugiDeal! Just imagining that white-grape aroma and hop overload has me fully in IPA mode too!
Hop Kotan Brewing (Hopkotan Jozo) in Kamifurano, Hokkaido, has revealed new beer information on Instagram. The label is "HOP IN MY HEAD". In the post, it is introduced as an "American IPA loaded with hops," putting front and center the brewery's signature hop-forward design.
The published specs are as follows:
- Style: American IPA
- ABV: 6.0%
- IBU: 55
- Ingredients: Malt (produced overseas), hops
According to the brewer's notes, the core of this beer is Cascade from Kamifurano, used heavily in the whirlpool. It says the brewery used about three times the usual amount to bring out a white-grape-like aroma from the 2025 Cascade crop. Citra, Mosaic, and Strata are layered on top, building citrus and tropical notes, juiciness, and a gentle dank character. Even with an IBU of 55, the bitterness is designed to support the whole beer rather than stand out harshly.
The malt bill is based mainly on Pilsner malt to keep it light, with Pale Ale malt added for more body. The result suggests Hop Kotan Brewing's careful sense of balance, using clean fermentation to let the hop aroma shine. As a brewery based in a hop-growing region like Kamifurano, it can be described as a bottle that strongly reflects its local roots.
The post says the beer is scheduled to appear at restaurants and liquor retailers nationwide as early as this weekend, and it is also planned to be served at the brewery's directly operated store, "BEER KOTAN (@beerkotan)". In addition, the brewery announced its participation in the "Keyaki Hiroba Spring Beer Festival" in May, raising expectations for more chances to try it on site.
Information may be inaccurate. Please refer to the brewery’s official channels for the latest details.
Hop BroBreaking news: Hop Kotan Brewing in Hokkaido is releasing a new beer, HOP IN MY HEAD!
MugiWhoa! That name goes hard! What kind of new IPA is it?
Hop BroIt's an American IPA with ABV 6.0% and IBU 55, built on a super hop-heavy design.
MugiWhat? IBU and whirlpool sound like spellbook words to me!
Hop BroIBU is a measure of bitterness, and the whirlpool is a process for bringing out aroma. This time, they hit it hard with Cascade grown in Kamifurano there.
MugiOhh! A local hop taking center stage is amazing! And about three times the usual amount of Cascade is seriously intense, isn't it?
Hop BroOn top of that, they layer Citra, Mosaic, and Strata to create white-grape notes, citrus, tropical fruit, and even a gentle dank character.
MugiThat's a lot of information! An IBU of 55 but no harsh edges means it's basically bitter but gentle?!
Hop BroExactly. The malt bill is mostly Pilsner to keep it light, with Pale Ale malt added for body in a carefully balanced design.
MugiAnd if all goes well, we can find it in shops nationwide and at the directly operated BEER KOTAN as early as this weekend, so the chance to try it is pretty high!
Hop BroPlus, they may be pouring it at the Keyaki Hiroba Spring Beer Festival in May, so this is definitely a beer I want to drink right now!
MugiDeal! Just imagining that white-grape aroma and hop overload has me fully in IPA mode too!
