JAZZ BREWING FUJINO introduced its seasonal "Cacao IPA" again this year in an Instagram post. From the post title, it seems to be a label that many people look forward to every year around this time.

The brewery is a small craft brewery nestled in the satoyama of the Sano River area in Midori Ward, Sagamihara City, Kanagawa Prefecture. Its defining feature is that it uses the clear waters of the Sano River and brews unfiltered and unclarified, preserving the character of its ingredients and fermentation as they are. It was launched in 2018 with the support of the local community, and owner-brewer Kai Yamaguchi approaches beer making with the sensibilities he developed as a sound engineer and his experience in agriculture.

The official website says the brewery makes its seasonal beers at a pace of about once a month. Including seasonal farm products and collaborations with other producers, JAZZ BREWING FUJINO's appeal lies in how each beer shows a different character, like a "beer jam session." This Cacao IPA also appears to be one that emerged from that flow.

When the hop contours typical of an IPA overlap with cacao-derived flavors, your attention naturally turns to how the aroma, bitterness, and roastiness are balanced. Because this brewery creates its individuality through combinations of land, water, and ingredients rather than flashy presentation, this year's Cacao IPA is also one to watch for its flavor design.