Jokun's Collaboration Beer “Hegisoba IPA Black” on Sale at Tamagaki Seimenjo Direct Shop
The Niigata, Tokamachi brewpub "jokun-brewing/Craft Beer Jokun" is selling bottles of its collaboration beer "Hegisoba IPA Black" at the direct shop of Tamagaki Seimenjo. This upcycled beer uses soba dry noodles in the brewing process and is also being suggested as a summer drink to enjoy with meals.
Hop BroThe brewpub in Niigata's Tokamachi, jokun-brewing/Craft Beer Jokun, is serving Hegisoba IPA Black at Tamagaki Seimenjo's direct shop.
MugiWhat! They put soba into beer? Using soba dry noodles in the brew? How does that even work!
Hop BroIt's a upcycled beer that makes use of the leftover noodle ends produced during noodle-making. Instead of throwing them away, they turn them into something new, which is a smart way to use local ingredients.
MugiWow! It feels like you could even drink the mood of a soba shop! But when I hear dark beer, I get a little nervous because it sounds heavy.
Hop BroThat's the key point: the roast level is low to medium, so the roasted character is restrained. Even with "Black" in the name, it's more of an easy-drinking IPA, with bitterness and hop aroma taking the lead.
MugiWait, so it's a classic IPA and yet it's black? Now I'm getting confused!
Hop BroExactly. Even if the color looks dark, the beer's structure is still IPA, so the malt sweetness and bitterness come through clearly. The hop aroma floats on top, which makes the contrast with the appearance fun.
MugiI get it! And selling it at Tamagaki Seimenjo's direct shop gives it such a strong local feel!
Hop BroRight. The post also says the roasted aroma matches the savory smell of tsuyu, so it's perfect as a summer drink to enjoy with cold soba.
MugiThat's totally the kind of thing you can start drinking at lunch! As the new standard for soba and beer, I want to head to Tokamachi and toast together too!
The brewpub "jokun-brewing/Craft Beer Jokun" in Tokamachi City, Niigata Prefecture, introduced a visit to the direct shop run by Tamagaki Seimenjo. At the shop, in addition to dry noodles and goods from Tamagaki Seimenjo, known for its Tsumari Soba, customers can buy bottles of the collaboration beer "Hegisoba IPA Black" made by Jokun and Tamagaki Seimenjo.
The defining feature of this beer is that the soba dry noodles themselves are used in the brewing process. It is a beer born from an upcycling effort that makes use of the leftover noodle ends that inevitably appear during soba production, giving new life to ingredients from the food-making process in a fresh form.
Its flavor is a classic IPA with the gentle sweetness of malt, firm bitterness, and a rich hop aroma. The malt roast level is said to be low to medium, keeping roast character restrained, so it is designed to be approachable even for people unfamiliar with dark beer. Although it has "Black" in the name, it is not heavy all the way through; instead, it is finished with a balance of aroma and drinkability in mind.
The post explains that the roasted aroma harmonizes with the savory depth and umami of tsuyu, making it a good match for soba. It presents cold soba and beer as a new summer standard, conveying Jokun's locally rooted craft beer making. Starting from the brewpub in Honcho, Tokamachi City, it is a beer worth noting as a link between local food culture and craft beer.
Information may be inaccurate. Please refer to the venue’s official channels for the latest details.
Hop BroThe brewpub in Niigata's Tokamachi, jokun-brewing/Craft Beer Jokun, is serving Hegisoba IPA Black at Tamagaki Seimenjo's direct shop.
MugiWhat! They put soba into beer? Using soba dry noodles in the brew? How does that even work!
Hop BroIt's a upcycled beer that makes use of the leftover noodle ends produced during noodle-making. Instead of throwing them away, they turn them into something new, which is a smart way to use local ingredients.
MugiWow! It feels like you could even drink the mood of a soba shop! But when I hear dark beer, I get a little nervous because it sounds heavy.
Hop BroThat's the key point: the roast level is low to medium, so the roasted character is restrained. Even with "Black" in the name, it's more of an easy-drinking IPA, with bitterness and hop aroma taking the lead.
MugiWait, so it's a classic IPA and yet it's black? Now I'm getting confused!
Hop BroExactly. Even if the color looks dark, the beer's structure is still IPA, so the malt sweetness and bitterness come through clearly. The hop aroma floats on top, which makes the contrast with the appearance fun.
MugiI get it! And selling it at Tamagaki Seimenjo's direct shop gives it such a strong local feel!
Hop BroRight. The post also says the roasted aroma matches the savory smell of tsuyu, so it's perfect as a summer drink to enjoy with cold soba.
MugiThat's totally the kind of thing you can start drinking at lunch! As the new standard for soba and beer, I want to head to Tokamachi and toast together too!
