Kagiya Brewery is now selling a new batch of its flagship beer, MELLOW YELLOW. The hazy IPA won gold in the Juicy or Hazy India Pale Ale category for keg beers at the Japan Great Beer Awards 2026.

For this batch, the brewery changed neither the recipe nor the core ingredients. Instead, it reconsidered when the hops are added during brewing. By adding hops while fermentation is at its most active, Kagiya aims to encourage biotransformation, in which yeast activity changes and develops hop-derived aroma compounds. The timing was adjusted to create a more expressive and layered aroma profile.

MELLOW YELLOW has an ABV of 6.0%. Its restrained bitterness is balanced by a juicy, fruity sweetness and aromas reminiscent of pineapple, passion fruit, and citrus. A soft mouthfeel, supported by malt and oats, gives the beer a rounded texture while allowing the hop character to remain at the center.

The beer has become one of Kagiya Brewery’s signature releases through years of experimentation. It previously received a silver medal at the Beer-1 GrandPrix 2025, making the latest gold medal a notable step in its continuing development.

Based in Nakahara Ward, Kawasaki, Kagiya Brewery takes inspiration from British pub culture and operates as a locally rooted brewery. Its beers are made with an open-minded approach that extends beyond conventional styles, while music and community remain important parts of the brewery’s identity. The latest MELLOW YELLOW offers both returning fans and hazy IPA newcomers a chance to experience how a familiar beer can keep evolving.