Ibusuki Brewery Sells Limited Kiyomi Orange Ale, Holds 1st Anniversary Festival on May 17
Ibusuki Brewery introduced the seasonal limited-edition "Ibusuki Orange Ale," made with Kiyomi oranges from Iwasaki Farm. At the brewery on the former Tokumitsu Elementary School site, draft beer can also be enjoyed at the former school kitchen "Mugi to Niwa," and a 1st anniversary commemorative event was also held on May 17.
Hop BroToday I'm talking about Ibusuki Brewery in Ibusuki, Kagoshima. They're releasing a seasonal "Ibusuki Orange Ale" made with Kiyomi oranges from Iwasaki Farm, and the fact that they're brewing it on the site of the former Tokumitsu Elementary School is what makes it so exciting.
MugiWhat, beer in a school!? Does this former school kitchen really smell like beer, not like school lunch?
Hop BroIt really does, and they've renovated the school building so the brewery and "Mugi to Niwa" operate as one. I like how they keep the feel of the old school while turning local ingredients into beer.
MugiWhat is that! So an orange ale is just beer that tastes like orange? I honestly only have a vague idea of what ale even is.
Hop BroPut simply, it's a top-fermented beer. Unlike lager, which is brewed slowly at low temperatures, it tends to have a more pronounced aroma and is easier to layer with citrus character.
MugiOh wow! So the juicy fruit character takes center stage for the Kiyomi orange. And they're even using the peel too, so it's basically intense orange love!
Hop BroExactly. They're even using the peels from mandarins served to nursery school kids as part of food education for aroma. I love the idea of using ingredients without wasting anything; it feels very much like a local brewery.
MugiAnd you can drink it on draft, not just in bottles!? Mugi to Niwa draft beer sounds like it would instantly feel like a feast when paired with food!
Hop BroThat's right. And with the brewery reaching its 1st anniversary in April 2026, they held a 1st anniversary event on May 17 too, turning the second-floor classrooms, live performances, and even food trucks into a full-on school festival. With terrace seating and a dog run as well, it's great that it's easy to stop by even with dogs.
MugiWow, hearing that makes me want to go already! I want to raise a glass in Ibusuki and enjoy both the orange ale and the food.
A craft beer base that makes use of a former school
Ibusuki Brewery is a brewery created by making use of the former Tokumitsu Elementary School site in Ibusuki City, Kagoshima Prefecture. The school building was renovated, and the brewery and the former school kitchen "Mugi to Niwa" are operated as one integrated space. While retaining traces of the school, it has grown into a place that connects local ingredients with craft beer.
Limited product made with local Kiyomi oranges
In this post, "Ibusuki Orange Ale," made with "Kiyomi oranges" from Iwasaki Farm, was introduced. In addition to bringing out the fruit's flavor, there are also thoughtful touches that make the most of the ingredients as much as possible, such as using the peels of mandarins served to nursery school children as part of food education activities for aroma. At the former school kitchen "Mugi to Niwa," it is served not only in bottles but also on draft, so you can enjoy pairing it with food as well.
Reaching the 1st anniversary
The brewery celebrated its 1st anniversary in April 2026, and held a commemorative event on May 17. The event featured stalls and live performances using classrooms on the second floor, as well as outdoor kitchen trucks and a food court, creating a setup that took advantage of the school's unique spaces. The post also mentioned terrace seating and a dog run, making it an easy place to stop by with dogs. As a destination for sightseeing or dining in Ibusuki, it can be described as a place where you can enjoy beer and local ingredients together.
Information may be inaccurate. Please refer to the brewery’s official channels for the latest details.
Hop BroToday I'm talking about Ibusuki Brewery in Ibusuki, Kagoshima. They're releasing a seasonal "Ibusuki Orange Ale" made with Kiyomi oranges from Iwasaki Farm, and the fact that they're brewing it on the site of the former Tokumitsu Elementary School is what makes it so exciting.
MugiWhat, beer in a school!? Does this former school kitchen really smell like beer, not like school lunch?
Hop BroIt really does, and they've renovated the school building so the brewery and "Mugi to Niwa" operate as one. I like how they keep the feel of the old school while turning local ingredients into beer.
MugiWhat is that! So an orange ale is just beer that tastes like orange? I honestly only have a vague idea of what ale even is.
Hop BroPut simply, it's a top-fermented beer. Unlike lager, which is brewed slowly at low temperatures, it tends to have a more pronounced aroma and is easier to layer with citrus character.
MugiOh wow! So the juicy fruit character takes center stage for the Kiyomi orange. And they're even using the peel too, so it's basically intense orange love!
Hop BroExactly. They're even using the peels from mandarins served to nursery school kids as part of food education for aroma. I love the idea of using ingredients without wasting anything; it feels very much like a local brewery.
MugiAnd you can drink it on draft, not just in bottles!? Mugi to Niwa draft beer sounds like it would instantly feel like a feast when paired with food!
Hop BroThat's right. And with the brewery reaching its 1st anniversary in April 2026, they held a 1st anniversary event on May 17 too, turning the second-floor classrooms, live performances, and even food trucks into a full-on school festival. With terrace seating and a dog run as well, it's great that it's easy to stop by even with dogs.
MugiWow, hearing that makes me want to go already! I want to raise a glass in Ibusuki and enjoy both the orange ale and the food.
