Hop Kotan Brewing unveils West Coast Pale Ale 'Fiction'
Hop Kotan Brewing in Kamifurano, Hokkaido has introduced “Fiction,” a West Coast Pale Ale built around KRUSH and heavily layered with local Kamifurano Cascade. The 6.0% beer uses double dry hopping to bring forward citrus and tropical notes while keeping the body light.
Hop BroI've got a good one today: the new 'Fiction' from Hoppokotan Brewery in Kamifurano, Hokkaido.
MugiWait, what! That brewery name already sounds intense. What kind of beer is it?
Hop BroIt's a West Coast Pale Ale, built to give you crisp bitterness and a big aromatic lift.
MugiWhoa, okay, but West Coast means it doesn't taste like seawater, right? Because that would be a full emergency.
Hop BroYou're safe. It's lighter than a West Coast IPA, with bright citrus and a dry, snappy finish.
MugiOoh, that does sound easy to drink! But double dry hopping sounds like a secret finishing move.
Hop BroBasically it's adding hops twice to layer the aroma, usually after fermentation, so the nose gets way more expressive.
MugiGot it, an aroma power-up! And using KRUSH and Cascade sounds like a festival lineup.
Hop BroExactly. KRUSH leads the way, then Kamifurano-grown Cascade piles on citrus and tropical character.
MugiNice! And 6.0% ABV, 40 IBU sounds like the sweet spot, not too sharp and not too soft.
Hop BroThe meaning of 'Fiction' is great too. It starts from a real classic-style inspiration, then rebuilds it through their own interpretation.
MugiWow, so it's a beer with a story: local hops meeting outside inspiration. I want a glass already!
Hop BroSame here. As a new release in the FREEDOMS series, I want one now.
Hop Kotan Brewing in Kamifurano, Hokkaido has introduced Fiction as a new beer in its FREEDOMS lineup.
The beer is inspired by a memorable overseas West Coast Pale Ale, then rebuilt through Hop Kotan’s own lens. KRUSH sits at the core of the hop bill, supported by generous amounts of local Kamifurano Cascade. Double dry hopping adds layers of aroma, bringing out bright citrus alongside tropical, juicy character while keeping the beer lighter than a West Coast IPA.
The beer clocks in at 6.0% ABV and 40 IBU. The name Fiction reflects the idea of reimagining a real reference point into something new. For a brewery that has built its identity around brewing with local hops in Kamifurano, this release sits neatly at the intersection of regional character and hop-driven experimentation.
Specs
- Style: West Coast Pale Ale
- ABV: 6.0%
- IBU: 40
Information may be inaccurate. Please refer to the brewery’s official channels for the latest details.
Hop BroI've got a good one today: the new 'Fiction' from Hoppokotan Brewery in Kamifurano, Hokkaido.
MugiWait, what! That brewery name already sounds intense. What kind of beer is it?
Hop BroIt's a West Coast Pale Ale, built to give you crisp bitterness and a big aromatic lift.
MugiWhoa, okay, but West Coast means it doesn't taste like seawater, right? Because that would be a full emergency.
Hop BroYou're safe. It's lighter than a West Coast IPA, with bright citrus and a dry, snappy finish.
MugiOoh, that does sound easy to drink! But double dry hopping sounds like a secret finishing move.
Hop BroBasically it's adding hops twice to layer the aroma, usually after fermentation, so the nose gets way more expressive.
MugiGot it, an aroma power-up! And using KRUSH and Cascade sounds like a festival lineup.
Hop BroExactly. KRUSH leads the way, then Kamifurano-grown Cascade piles on citrus and tropical character.
MugiNice! And 6.0% ABV, 40 IBU sounds like the sweet spot, not too sharp and not too soft.
Hop BroThe meaning of 'Fiction' is great too. It starts from a real classic-style inspiration, then rebuilds it through their own interpretation.
MugiWow, so it's a beer with a story: local hops meeting outside inspiration. I want a glass already!
Hop BroSame here. As a new release in the FREEDOMS series, I want one now.
