Sarunokoshikake adds two Shiga Kogen beers, including IPA 2.03 and Apple IPA
The beer pub Sarunokoshikake in Saginuwa, Kawasaki, has added two guest beers from Shiga Kogen Beer. The lineup pairs a crisp, bitter IPA with an apple-driven hazy IPA.
Hop BroI want to start with the two Shiga Kogen beers that just showed up at Sarunokoshikake in Saginuma.
MugiWait, this is a side-by-side showdown? And Shiga Kogen Beer already sounds like it means business!
Hop BroThe pair is IPA 2.03 and "Shinshu Heion / Apple IPA." One is a crisp, bitter IPA, and the other is a hazy IPA built around green apple.
MugiWhat even is a hazy IPA? It sounds like the beer forgot its glasses!
Hop BroThink of it as a cloudy-style IPA. The bitterness is usually softer, and the texture and fruit character get more room to shine.
MugiOhhh, so does the Apple IPA drink like grown-up apple juice or am I getting carried away?
Hop BroThat’s the fun part. The Bramley green apple really shows up, but the finish stays dry and beer-like. It’s 5.0% ABV with just 12 IBU, so it stays easygoing.
MugiThe moment you say 12 IBU, it turns into a pop quiz! What is IBU, and why does it sound like homework?
Hop BroIt’s basically a bitterness scale. So the Apple IPA stays gentle, while IPA 2.03 layers US and EU hops with homegrown Cascade for citrus, lime, and a sharp snap of bitterness.
MugiOkay, now I get it. One goes crisp and bitter, the other goes fruity and soft. Two opposite vibes in one lineup is dangerous for my self-control!
Hop BroExactly, and a spot like Sarunokoshikake is perfect for an easy first pint. You get to see two very different faces of Shiga Kogen Beer at once.
MugiThen it’s settled. If we’re in Saginuma, we’re doing an immediate cheers. Just don’t turn my first sip into a lecture, okay?
Sarunokoshikake, a beer pub in Saginuwa, Kawasaki, has brought in two guest beers from Shiga Kogen Beer. The new lineup contrasts a sharp, hop-forward IPA with a hazy IPA built around apple character, making it a natural fit for side-by-side tasting.
The beers on tap
- SHIGA KOGEN IPA 2.03 Center of the Universe
An IPA brewed with US and EU hops plus house-grown Cascade. It leans into citrus and lime notes, with a clear bitter edge and a clean, refreshing finish. This is a classic Shiga Kogen-style beer with a firm, defined profile.
- Shinshu Heion / Apple IPA
A hazy IPA made with Bramley apples from Obuse. The apple character comes through clearly, supported by a moderate acidity and a dry finish. At 5.0% ABV and 12 IBU, it balances drinkability with a distinct fruit-driven identity.
Sarunokoshikake is the kind of neighborhood beer pub where guest rotations matter, and this pair gives drinkers two very different ways into Shiga Kogen’s brewing style. One is built on bitterness and clarity; the other on apple brightness and a softer haze. For beer fans in the area, it is a lineup worth checking out.
Information may be inaccurate. Please refer to the venue’s official channels for the latest details.
Hop BroI want to start with the two Shiga Kogen beers that just showed up at Sarunokoshikake in Saginuma.
MugiWait, this is a side-by-side showdown? And Shiga Kogen Beer already sounds like it means business!
Hop BroThe pair is IPA 2.03 and "Shinshu Heion / Apple IPA." One is a crisp, bitter IPA, and the other is a hazy IPA built around green apple.
MugiWhat even is a hazy IPA? It sounds like the beer forgot its glasses!
Hop BroThink of it as a cloudy-style IPA. The bitterness is usually softer, and the texture and fruit character get more room to shine.
MugiOhhh, so does the Apple IPA drink like grown-up apple juice or am I getting carried away?
Hop BroThat’s the fun part. The Bramley green apple really shows up, but the finish stays dry and beer-like. It’s 5.0% ABV with just 12 IBU, so it stays easygoing.
MugiThe moment you say 12 IBU, it turns into a pop quiz! What is IBU, and why does it sound like homework?
Hop BroIt’s basically a bitterness scale. So the Apple IPA stays gentle, while IPA 2.03 layers US and EU hops with homegrown Cascade for citrus, lime, and a sharp snap of bitterness.
MugiOkay, now I get it. One goes crisp and bitter, the other goes fruity and soft. Two opposite vibes in one lineup is dangerous for my self-control!
Hop BroExactly, and a spot like Sarunokoshikake is perfect for an easy first pint. You get to see two very different faces of Shiga Kogen Beer at once.
MugiThen it’s settled. If we’re in Saginuma, we’re doing an immediate cheers. Just don’t turn my first sip into a lecture, okay?
