Hop Kotan Brewing unveils Night Walker, a Black IPA
Hop Kotan Brewing in Kamifurano, Hokkaido, introduced its new Black IPA, Night Walker, on Instagram. The beer uses a cold-steep approach to soften roast character while layering Columbus, Simcoe, and Krush. A special onboard sale is also scheduled for August 30.
Hop BroTonight's headline is Night Walker, a Black IPA from Hoppokotan Brewing, and it's a pretty tempting one.
MugiWhoa, that name already sounds intense! Is Night Walker for people who refuse to sleep?
Hop BroThat's the fun part: it looks dark, but it's built for an easy-drinking body, landing at 6.0% ABV and 60 IBU.
MugiDark but easy-drinking? My brain needs a minute. Also, what is cold steep supposed to mean, iced coffee for malt?
Hop BroClose, and honestly not a bad guess. It's a low-temperature steeping method that pulls out color while keeping burnt harshness under control.
MugiOhhh, so it stays dark but still gives you a subtle bitter-chocolate note instead of full charcoal attack!
Hop BroExactly. The hop bill is stacked too, with Columbus and Simcoe leading and Krush layered on top for extra character.
MugiHold on, now we're getting 'dank' and 'resinous.' So basically we're talking piney forest aroma?
Hop BroThat's it. You get pine and evergreen vibes, then peach and apricot, all tied together by a dry, sharp bitterness.
MugiWait, so it's dark, foresty, and fruity? And Hoppokotan is from Hokkaido's only commercial hop-growing town? That's a strong backstory.
Hop BroIt also arrives with the 2026 Harvest Brew season, so it's a limited release, and the August 30 onboard sale is planned for JR Hokkaido's Mankitsu Norokko-go too.
MugiWatching the scenery roll by with Night Walker in hand sounds unfairly good. If shops and bars get it this weekend, I suddenly need a night walk of my own.
Hop Kotan Brewing announced Night Walker alongside the start of its 2026 Harvest Brew season. Harvest Brew is the brewery's seasonal series built around brewing with fresh hops, and it remains one of the clearest expressions of the brewery's local identity.
Night Walker is a Black IPA with 6.0% ABV and 60 IBU. The beer aims for a dark appearance without heaviness. To shape the malt side, Hop Kotan uses a cold-steep method: Black Malt and Chocolate Malt are soaked in cold water to build color while reducing burnt, roasty astringency, leaving a subtle bittersweet chocolate note.
The hop bill is centered on Columbus and Simcoe, with Krush adding brightness. The brewery describes notes of dank resin, pine, stone fruit, and a dry, sharp bitterness that still finishes clean. The result is pitched as a beer that feels light enough for a late summer night while still leaving a firm hop impression.
Based in Kamifurano, Hokkaido, Hop Kotan Brewing works in a town known for commercial hop farming and produces more than 70 beers a year by combining local and overseas hops. Night Walker fits that approach well: rooted in place, but built with a modern hop profile. Distribution is expected to begin at selected bars and bottle shops as early as the coming weekend, with service also planned at the brewery's taproom, BEER KOTAN. An onboard sale on the JR Hokkaido Mankitsu Norokko train is scheduled for August 30.
Information may be inaccurate. Please refer to the brewery’s official channels for the latest details.
Hop BroTonight's headline is Night Walker, a Black IPA from Hoppokotan Brewing, and it's a pretty tempting one.
MugiWhoa, that name already sounds intense! Is Night Walker for people who refuse to sleep?
Hop BroThat's the fun part: it looks dark, but it's built for an easy-drinking body, landing at 6.0% ABV and 60 IBU.
MugiDark but easy-drinking? My brain needs a minute. Also, what is cold steep supposed to mean, iced coffee for malt?
Hop BroClose, and honestly not a bad guess. It's a low-temperature steeping method that pulls out color while keeping burnt harshness under control.
MugiOhhh, so it stays dark but still gives you a subtle bitter-chocolate note instead of full charcoal attack!
Hop BroExactly. The hop bill is stacked too, with Columbus and Simcoe leading and Krush layered on top for extra character.
MugiHold on, now we're getting 'dank' and 'resinous.' So basically we're talking piney forest aroma?
Hop BroThat's it. You get pine and evergreen vibes, then peach and apricot, all tied together by a dry, sharp bitterness.
MugiWait, so it's dark, foresty, and fruity? And Hoppokotan is from Hokkaido's only commercial hop-growing town? That's a strong backstory.
Hop BroIt also arrives with the 2026 Harvest Brew season, so it's a limited release, and the August 30 onboard sale is planned for JR Hokkaido's Mankitsu Norokko-go too.
MugiWatching the scenery roll by with Night Walker in hand sounds unfairly good. If shops and bars get it this weekend, I suddenly need a night walk of my own.
