Y.Market Brewing Releases Yuzu-Fragrant "THE PIONEERS" with AFURI
Aichi's Nagoya-based Y.Market Brewing has announced the Yuzu Pale Ale "THE PIONEERS" in collaboration with ramen shop AFURI. Inspired by the yuzu used in AFURI's "Yuzu Shio Ramen," it is a beer that lightly layers aroma, bitterness, and acidity.
Hop BroNagoya's Y.Market Brewing teamed up with AFURI to release the Yuzu Pale Ale "THE PIONEERS" on March 5, 2026!
MugiWhat!? AFURI is the one with Yuzu Shio Ramen!? A ramen shop and craft beer collaborating? That's amazing!
Hop BroExactly. Taking inspiration from the yuzu in AFURI's Yuzu Shio Ramen, they built the beer with yuzu peel and yuzu puree with juice, layering aroma, bitterness, and acidity.
MugiWow! It's like it's packed with all the best parts of yuzu! Just imagining it feels so refreshing!
Hop BroThe hops are US Citra, US Citra Cryo, and NZ Motueka. The IBU is 13.81 and the ABV is 4.5%, so it's light-medium with a soft hazy gold color.
MugiWait, wait, Citra... Cryo... IBU 13.81!? This suddenly turned into a science class!
Hop BroSimply put, Citra and Motueka boost the citrusy aroma, and Cryo is like compressing the hop's "delicious aroma compounds". An IBU of 13.81 means the bitterness is restrained.
MugiI see! So it goes down easy, but still has that layered yuzu character!
Hop BroAnd "THE PIONEERS" means "those who blaze a trail where none exists." What makes it even hotter is that the name overlaps with both sides' determination to keep taking on challenges in ramen and beer.
MugiA story this good is almost unfair! I want to drink it right now with Yuzu Shio Ramen! Hop, let's go!
Hop BroIt's settled then. Let's toast tonight with "THE PIONEERS," the very essence of a collaboration that connects with food!
A Yuzu Pale Ale Born from Co-Creation with AFURI
"THE PIONEERS," unveiled by Y.Market Brewing, is a beer brewed in collaboration with AFURI, which aims to establish its own brewery. In the background of its production, the company explains that the theme was to strongly express the character of the yuzu used in AFURI's signature "Yuzu Shio Ramen" within the beer.
Key Points in the Recipe Design
In addition to yuzu peel, yuzu puree containing juice was used. This was designed not only to bring out the yuzu aroma, but also to give the beer a layered bitterness and acidity. The hops used are US Citra, US Citra Cryo, and NZ Motueka. It has an IBU of 13.81 and an alcohol content of 4.5%. With a light-medium mouthfeel and a softly hazy gold color, it was finished as a well-balanced beer.
The Meaning Behind the Name
"THE PIONEERS" is a name meaning "those who blaze a trail where none exists." It is said to reflect the shared spirit of both sides, who continue to take on challenges in their respective fields of ramen and craft beer. The article says it will be released on March 5, 2026.
This is a regionally rooted cross-industry collaboration that feels typical of Y.Market Brewing, which has long championed Nagoya's first craft brewery. As a beer with a clear connection to food, it is a new release that makes you want to try it with pairings in mind.
Information may be inaccurate. Please refer to the brewery’s official channels for the latest details.
Hop BroNagoya's Y.Market Brewing teamed up with AFURI to release the Yuzu Pale Ale "THE PIONEERS" on March 5, 2026!
MugiWhat!? AFURI is the one with Yuzu Shio Ramen!? A ramen shop and craft beer collaborating? That's amazing!
Hop BroExactly. Taking inspiration from the yuzu in AFURI's Yuzu Shio Ramen, they built the beer with yuzu peel and yuzu puree with juice, layering aroma, bitterness, and acidity.
MugiWow! It's like it's packed with all the best parts of yuzu! Just imagining it feels so refreshing!
Hop BroThe hops are US Citra, US Citra Cryo, and NZ Motueka. The IBU is 13.81 and the ABV is 4.5%, so it's light-medium with a soft hazy gold color.
MugiWait, wait, Citra... Cryo... IBU 13.81!? This suddenly turned into a science class!
Hop BroSimply put, Citra and Motueka boost the citrusy aroma, and Cryo is like compressing the hop's "delicious aroma compounds". An IBU of 13.81 means the bitterness is restrained.
MugiI see! So it goes down easy, but still has that layered yuzu character!
Hop BroAnd "THE PIONEERS" means "those who blaze a trail where none exists." What makes it even hotter is that the name overlaps with both sides' determination to keep taking on challenges in ramen and beer.
MugiA story this good is almost unfair! I want to drink it right now with Yuzu Shio Ramen! Hop, let's go!
Hop BroIt's settled then. Let's toast tonight with "THE PIONEERS," the very essence of a collaboration that connects with food!
