Nara Brewing Releases Its First Sour IPA, “IMITATION GOLD,” Online October 2
Nara Brewing has announced “IMITATION GOLD,” its first Sour IPA. Made without fruit, the beer combines hops suggesting citrus, white grape, peach, and tropical fruit with lactic acidity to create a juicy, freshly pressed-juice impression. Its online store will begin sales at noon on October 2.
Hop BroNara Brewing in Nara City is releasing its first Sour IPA, “IMITATION GOLD.”
MugiWhat?! The name already sounds sparkly! What exactly is a first-ever Sour IPA?
Hop BroIt combines IPA’s expressive hop character with that bright, tart finish of a sour beer.
MugiA sour IPA? What is that?! Don’t the hops and acidity start fighting?
Hop BroThat’s the fun part. They blend hops suggesting citrus, white grape, peach, and tropical fruit—an aromatic hop blend.
MugiIt sounds full of peaches and grapes, but it uses no fruit at all?!
Hop BroExactly! Yeast that produces lactic acid supplies the tartness, creating a juicy impression. That’s fermentation magic.
MugiLactic-acid-producing yeast… we suddenly entered a science lab! So yeast makes it tart?
Hop BroYou got it. Rather than relying on fruit, Nara Brewing creates a juicy character through hop aroma and fermentation.
MugiOnline sales start at noon on October 2, with kegs and cans too! I need to taste this fruit-free juicy beer!
Nara Brewing, a craft brewery based in Nara City, has released “IMITATION GOLD,” its first Sour IPA. The beer is already being shipped to its initial retailers, while Nara Brewing’s online store will begin sales at noon on October 2.
“IMITATION GOLD” was designed to evoke the juicy character of freshly squeezed fruit juice without using any fruit. The brewery blended hops associated with citrus, white grape, peach, and tropical-fruit flavors, then added refreshing acidity through yeast that produces lactic acid.
Its profile brings together expressive, fruit-like hop character and the crisp tartness expected from a Sour IPA. Rather than relying on fruit additions, the beer builds its juicy impression through the interaction of hop aroma and fermentation-derived acidity, marking a new direction for Nara Brewing’s flavor exploration.
The initial release includes both kegs and cans. Listed retailers and venues span Tokyo, Kanagawa, Yamanashi, Shizuoka, Kyoto, Osaka, Hyogo, Nara, Fukuoka, and Kumamoto, including beer bars, bottle shops, and restaurants. Keg tapping and can availability vary by location, so customers are advised to check directly with each venue before visiting.
Based in Nara City, Nara Brewing has explored a wide range of craft beer styles while introducing drinkers to the breadth of beer. As the brewery’s first Sour IPA, “IMITATION GOLD” offers a fresh perspective on its approach to hop-driven flavor.
Information may be inaccurate. Please refer to the brewery’s official channels for the latest details.
Hop BroNara Brewing in Nara City is releasing its first Sour IPA, “IMITATION GOLD.”
MugiWhat?! The name already sounds sparkly! What exactly is a first-ever Sour IPA?
Hop BroIt combines IPA’s expressive hop character with that bright, tart finish of a sour beer.
MugiA sour IPA? What is that?! Don’t the hops and acidity start fighting?
Hop BroThat’s the fun part. They blend hops suggesting citrus, white grape, peach, and tropical fruit—an aromatic hop blend.
MugiIt sounds full of peaches and grapes, but it uses no fruit at all?!
Hop BroExactly! Yeast that produces lactic acid supplies the tartness, creating a juicy impression. That’s fermentation magic.
MugiLactic-acid-producing yeast… we suddenly entered a science lab! So yeast makes it tart?
Hop BroYou got it. Rather than relying on fruit, Nara Brewing creates a juicy character through hop aroma and fermentation.
MugiOnline sales start at noon on October 2, with kegs and cans too! I need to taste this fruit-free juicy beer!
