Better life with upcycle Releases IyoQ XPA with Green Iyokan and Cucumber
Better life with upcycle, based in Ebina, Kanagawa, is selling IyoQ XPA, an extra pale ale made with young Iyokan citrus and cucumber from Japan. Rice in the mash helps create a dry, crisp profile that highlights fresh hop and produce aromas.
Hop BroBetter life with upcycle in Ebina, Kanagawa has released IyoQ XPA, made with thinned Iyokan and cucumber.
MugiWhat? Cucumber in beer?! Is this a toast with a salad?
Hop BroThat is the fun part. It is an XPA with Green Iyokan, with thinned Iyokan and cucumber steeped during fermentation.
MugiWhat exactly is thinned Iyokan? A young Iyokan fruit?
Hop BroExactly. It is fruit removed while trees are being managed, which can go unused. The brewery is upcycling it into beer instead.
MugiWow! Turning something that might be wasted into beer is like cheers to less waste.
Hop BroNelson Sauvin hops add lychee- and mango-like notes, layering tropical hop aromas over Iyokan citrus and cucumber greenery.
MugiNelson Sauvin sounds like a wizard! So, what do hops do?
Hop BroThey contribute aroma as well as bitterness. This variety excels at wine-like and tropical notes, creating layers of fresh aroma.
MugiFruit and vegetables sound delicious, but would it become sweet and heavy? Is it easy to drink?
Hop BroRice in the mash helps keep it dry. Higher attenuation lowers sweetness and body, making it a crisp, light XPA at 5.5% ABV and 40 IBU.
MugiA 350 ml can for ¥627 sounds approachable! Chill it well, because now I want a citrus-cucumber toast!
A second-batch upcycled XPA
Better life with upcycle is offering IyoQ XPA, a beer made with young Iyokan citrus from MOTTAINAI COCOLOFARM, an Iyokan grower in Ehime, Japan. It is the second batch in the brewery’s project to upcycle thinned citrus that might otherwise go unused.
Listed as “XPA w/ Green Iyokan, Cucumber,” the beer is conditioned during fermentation with young Iyokan and cucumber. The produce contributes bright citrus character and a fresh green note, while Nelson Sauvin hops add aromas reminiscent of lychee and mango.
Dry, crisp and refreshing
Rice is used in the mash to support a highly fermentable wort. By keeping sweetness and body restrained, the beer is designed to carry its fresh character from the opening aroma through the finish. At 5.5% ABV, 40 IBU and 3 SRM, it combines a pale appearance with a clean, brisk drinking profile.
IyoQ XPA is sold in 350ml cans for ¥627. Because the beer contains yeast, some haze may develop without affecting quality. It should be kept refrigerated, while impacts, freezing and prolonged storage at room temperature should be avoided.
Based in Ebina, Kanagawa, Better life with upcycle develops beers that give new value to ingredients and connect brewing with sustainability. The brewery has also worked with materials such as bread crusts. IyoQ XPA brings together Ehime-grown young Iyokan, cucumber and modern hop expression in a compact, refreshingly dry package. The product is an alcoholic beverage intended for consumers aged 20 and over.
Information may be inaccurate. Please refer to the brewery’s official channels for the latest details.
Hop BroBetter life with upcycle in Ebina, Kanagawa has released IyoQ XPA, made with thinned Iyokan and cucumber.
MugiWhat? Cucumber in beer?! Is this a toast with a salad?
Hop BroThat is the fun part. It is an XPA with Green Iyokan, with thinned Iyokan and cucumber steeped during fermentation.
MugiWhat exactly is thinned Iyokan? A young Iyokan fruit?
Hop BroExactly. It is fruit removed while trees are being managed, which can go unused. The brewery is upcycling it into beer instead.
MugiWow! Turning something that might be wasted into beer is like cheers to less waste.
Hop BroNelson Sauvin hops add lychee- and mango-like notes, layering tropical hop aromas over Iyokan citrus and cucumber greenery.
MugiNelson Sauvin sounds like a wizard! So, what do hops do?
Hop BroThey contribute aroma as well as bitterness. This variety excels at wine-like and tropical notes, creating layers of fresh aroma.
MugiFruit and vegetables sound delicious, but would it become sweet and heavy? Is it easy to drink?
Hop BroRice in the mash helps keep it dry. Higher attenuation lowers sweetness and body, making it a crisp, light XPA at 5.5% ABV and 40 IBU.
MugiA 350 ml can for ¥627 sounds approachable! Chill it well, because now I want a citrus-cucumber toast!
