Baeren Brewery Releases "Ihatov no Umi," a Salted Lager Made with Iwate Hops and Sea Salt
Baeren Brewery, based in Shizukuishi, Iwate, is releasing a seasonal salty lager called "Ihatov no Umi". The beer uses hops harvested from a field next to the brewery and sea salt boiled down in Noda Village on the Sanriku coast.
Hop BroToday's topic is Bearen Brewery's summer release, 'Ihatov no Umi'. It's a seasonal salty lager built with Iwate-grown hops and sea salt.
MugiWait, a salted beer!? Is this supposed to be crisp and refreshing, or is my brain just freezing up right now?
Hop BroThat's the fun part. This salty lager uses hops harvested right beside the brewery in Shizukuishi, plus sea salt from Noda on the Sanriku coast.
MugiWhoa! But what is direct-boiling saltmaking? Are they out there simmering the ocean in some giant heroic cauldron?
Hop BroThe image is dramatic, but the idea is simple. It's a method of boiling seawater down into salt, which helps bring a gentle mineral note.
MugiOkay, so it's basically a sea-meets-field combo in one can. And 350ml at 5.0% sounds just right for summer.
Hop BroExactly. They also use a slow-working yeast, so you get soft citrus aroma with a clean, crisp mouthfeel. The ingredients are just malt, hops, and salt.
MugiHold on, what does flavor definition even mean? Does this beer have cheekbones now?
Hop BroIn a way, yes. It means light but still structured instead of thin and forgettable. It's easy-drinking like a lager, but it still leaves an impression.
MugiAnd it's a summer-only release? That's unfair. At 447 yen incl. tax, it feels like you're drinking the whole regional story.
Hop BroShipments start from July 8 onward, so I already want to chill one hard and open it the second it arrives. It really sounds like a Bearen-style Iwate beer.
MugiI'm fully in now. A can of Iwate-born lager in hand, checking out that salty snap and hop aroma, sounds like a winning summer move.
Baeren Brewery in Shizukuishi, Iwate, is releasing the seasonal salty lager "Ihatov no Umi". The beer comes in 350 ml cans, has an alcohol content of 5.0%, and is listed at 447 yen on the brewery's official web shop.
What defines this release is its local ingredient story. The brewery uses hops harvested from the field next to its factory, along with sea salt slowly boiled down by artisans in Noda Village on the Sanriku coast. The ingredient list is simple - malt, hops, and salt - but the regional identity comes through clearly in the concept.
According to the brewery, the beer finishes crisp, with a subtle mineral note and citrus-like hop aroma. The lager yeast is allowed to ferment slowly and carefully, which gives the beer a clean profile while still leaving some character in the finish. Salty beers can sound unusual at first glance, but "Ihatov no Umi" keeps the drinkability expected of a lager while bringing together the coast and the hop field in one glass.
For Baeren, a brewery that often highlights local ingredients, this beer once again turns "born in Iwate" into the product itself. As a summer seasonal release, it stands out for balancing regional character with an easygoing drinking experience.
Information may be inaccurate. Please refer to the brewery’s official channels for the latest details.
Hop BroToday's topic is Bearen Brewery's summer release, 'Ihatov no Umi'. It's a seasonal salty lager built with Iwate-grown hops and sea salt.
MugiWait, a salted beer!? Is this supposed to be crisp and refreshing, or is my brain just freezing up right now?
Hop BroThat's the fun part. This salty lager uses hops harvested right beside the brewery in Shizukuishi, plus sea salt from Noda on the Sanriku coast.
MugiWhoa! But what is direct-boiling saltmaking? Are they out there simmering the ocean in some giant heroic cauldron?
Hop BroThe image is dramatic, but the idea is simple. It's a method of boiling seawater down into salt, which helps bring a gentle mineral note.
MugiOkay, so it's basically a sea-meets-field combo in one can. And 350ml at 5.0% sounds just right for summer.
Hop BroExactly. They also use a slow-working yeast, so you get soft citrus aroma with a clean, crisp mouthfeel. The ingredients are just malt, hops, and salt.
MugiHold on, what does flavor definition even mean? Does this beer have cheekbones now?
Hop BroIn a way, yes. It means light but still structured instead of thin and forgettable. It's easy-drinking like a lager, but it still leaves an impression.
MugiAnd it's a summer-only release? That's unfair. At 447 yen incl. tax, it feels like you're drinking the whole regional story.
Hop BroShipments start from July 8 onward, so I already want to chill one hard and open it the second it arrives. It really sounds like a Bearen-style Iwate beer.
MugiI'm fully in now. A can of Iwate-born lager in hand, checking out that salty snap and hop aroma, sounds like a winning summer move.
