Yatsugatake Brewery spotlights limited HOKUTO Japanese Pilsner
Yatsugatake Brewery in Hokuto, Yamanashi, introduced HOKUTO, a limited pilsner made with local hop grower Kobayashi Hop Farm. The beer uses Kaikogane hops from Hokuto, including some used fresh, and is described as malt-forward with a clean bitterness.
Hop BroToday I want to talk about Yatsugatake Brewery’s limited pilsner HOKUTO.
MugiWait, Yatsugatake makes me think mountains! Are Hokuto-grown hops really that special?
Hop BroThey are. Yatsugatake Brewery is based in Kiyosato Highlands, and since 1997 they’ve stuck to a malt-centered approach.
MugiWhat is that!? A malt-centered approach sounds like a secret beer finishing move!
Hop BroBasically, it means malt gets to be the star. They even use decoction brewing to pull out deeper malt richness.
MugiOhhh! So this is a collab with Kobayashi Hop Farm, like a full local dream team?
Hop BroExactly. HOKUTO uses 100% Kai Kogane, and part of it goes in as fresh-picked hops. It’s 5.5% ABV, too.
MugiFresh-picked? Seriously? A super hop-forward vibe from a pilsner sounds delightfully unhinged!
Hop BroUnhinged, but elegant. You get pilsner malt richness, grassy freshness, and a soft kumquat citrus note on top.
MugiWow, so it’s not just bitter. If it’s that vivid and easy to drink, I kind of want to taste Hokuto’s terroir.
Hop BroThat’s exactly it. It shows off the hops, stays lager-smooth, and finishes with a clean, clear bitterness that makes you want another sip.
MugiMy throat is ready already! Tonight I totally want a toast with HOKUTO!
Yatsugatake Brewery is based in Kiyosato Highland in Hokuto, Yamanashi. Since 1997, it has focused on a malt-centric approach to brewing and has long used traditional decoction in the brewhouse to draw out malt character.
The featured beer, HOKUTO, was created in partnership with Kobayashi Hop Farm, a hop grower active in the same city. It is a limited pilsner brewed with 100% Kaikogane, a locally developed hop variety, with part of the hop bill used in fresh-hop form straight after harvest. The beer is 5.5% ABV.
Its flavor profile centers on the rich malt body and clean bitterness expected from a pilsner, while adding fresh green aromas and a soft citrus note reminiscent of kumquat. In the brewery's own wording, it aims for a hop-forward character without losing the easy-drinking balance of a lager.
As a collaboration rooted in Hokuto's local ingredients and brewing skill, it offers a clear expression of place that should appeal to fans who value hop character and a crisp lager finish.
Information may be inaccurate. Please refer to the brewery’s official channels for the latest details.
Hop BroToday I want to talk about Yatsugatake Brewery’s limited pilsner HOKUTO.
MugiWait, Yatsugatake makes me think mountains! Are Hokuto-grown hops really that special?
Hop BroThey are. Yatsugatake Brewery is based in Kiyosato Highlands, and since 1997 they’ve stuck to a malt-centered approach.
MugiWhat is that!? A malt-centered approach sounds like a secret beer finishing move!
Hop BroBasically, it means malt gets to be the star. They even use decoction brewing to pull out deeper malt richness.
MugiOhhh! So this is a collab with Kobayashi Hop Farm, like a full local dream team?
Hop BroExactly. HOKUTO uses 100% Kai Kogane, and part of it goes in as fresh-picked hops. It’s 5.5% ABV, too.
MugiFresh-picked? Seriously? A super hop-forward vibe from a pilsner sounds delightfully unhinged!
Hop BroUnhinged, but elegant. You get pilsner malt richness, grassy freshness, and a soft kumquat citrus note on top.
MugiWow, so it’s not just bitter. If it’s that vivid and easy to drink, I kind of want to taste Hokuto’s terroir.
Hop BroThat’s exactly it. It shows off the hops, stays lager-smooth, and finishes with a clean, clear bitterness that makes you want another sip.
MugiMy throat is ready already! Tonight I totally want a toast with HOKUTO!
