Kiuchi Brewery to release seasonal Hitachino Nest Beer Grapefruit Lager
Kiuchi Brewery will start rolling out Hitachino Nest Beer Grapefruit Lager in limited quantities from mid-June 2026. Now in its fourth year, the summer seasonal uses Santa Maria grapefruit grown in Wakayama Prefecture and will be sold through directly operated stores, the online shop, and select liquor retailers.
Hop BroI’ve got a perfect summer beer story today. Kiuchi Brewery’s release, Hitachino Nest Beer’s “Grapefruit Lager,” is coming out in limited quantities from mid-June 2026.
MugiWhat! Grapefruit Lager already sounds refreshing. Grapefruit in beer? That feels unfairly good after a hot day.
Hop BroHere’s the fun part: it uses the Japanese-grown grapefruit “Santa Maria” from Kannonyama Fruit Garden in Wakayama, and it’s a lager-style happoshu.
MugiWait, what does that even mean? The second you say lager style, my brain sits down and refuses to continue.
Hop BroBasically, lager brewing tends to ferment cooler and cleaner, so the flavor stays crisp and tidy. That’s why you get an easy-drinking finish with bright grapefruit aroma and acidity on top.
MugiOhhh, so it’s not just fruity chaos. If it also has a gentle bitterness, that sounds balanced instead of sweet and wild.
Hop BroExactly. It’s 4.5% ABV, sold in 330ml bottles and 15L kegs, and this is already its fourth year as a summer seasonal staple.
MugiFourth year? That’s not a newcomer, that’s summer royalty. So where do we find this limited-release favorite before everyone else does?
Hop BroIt’ll roll out through Kiuchi’s direct stores, online shop, and liquor retailers. Draft pours will also show up at places like the brewery tasting spots and Hitachino Brewing locations. For a brewery founded in 1823, that historic sake maker energy is pretty cool.
MugiA long-running sake brewery making something this breezy for summer is kind of amazing. Using seasonal ingredients like that feels seriously craftsman-like.
Hop BroServe it ice-cold and that citrus aroma should pop right out. It sounds like the kind of true midsummer beer that disappears fast once the first sip lands.
MugiThat settles it. My brain is already at cheers with Grapefruit Lager mode, and now I want snacks and a cold glass immediately.
Kiuchi Brewery, based in Naka, Ibaraki, announced that its seasonal Hitachino Nest Beer release, Grapefruit Lager, will go on sale in limited quantities from mid-June 2026. The brewery also introduced the beer on social media as a summer staple returning once again.
Product Profile
Grapefruit Lager is a lager-style happoshu brewed with generous amounts of Santa Maria grapefruit from Kannon-yama Fruit Garden in Wakayama Prefecture. According to the brewery, the beer is defined by its fresh grapefruit aroma, bright acidity, the easy-drinking character of a lager, and a moderate bitterness. It comes in 330 ml bottles and 15 L kegs, with an alcohol content of 4.5%.
This year marks the beer’s fourth year as a seasonal release. Kiuchi will sell it through its directly operated stores, the Kiuchi online shop, and liquor retailers. Draft service will also be available at a number of company venues, including the main store tasting area, Kura + Soba Nakaya, Omoya, Kura + Katsu Mito, several Hitachino Brewing locations, and Ishioka Tasting Room.
About Kiuchi Brewery
Founded in 1823 in what is now Naka, Ibaraki, Kiuchi Brewery began as a sake producer and launched Hitachino Nest Beer in 1996. Today the company also makes whisky and umeshu, while continuing to build a portfolio that blends brewery tradition with seasonal and fruit-driven products. Grapefruit Lager fits neatly into that approach: a familiar summer beer built around local sourcing and a clean, refreshing profile.
Information may be inaccurate. Please refer to the brewery’s official channels for the latest details.
Hop BroI’ve got a perfect summer beer story today. Kiuchi Brewery’s release, Hitachino Nest Beer’s “Grapefruit Lager,” is coming out in limited quantities from mid-June 2026.
MugiWhat! Grapefruit Lager already sounds refreshing. Grapefruit in beer? That feels unfairly good after a hot day.
Hop BroHere’s the fun part: it uses the Japanese-grown grapefruit “Santa Maria” from Kannonyama Fruit Garden in Wakayama, and it’s a lager-style happoshu.
MugiWait, what does that even mean? The second you say lager style, my brain sits down and refuses to continue.
Hop BroBasically, lager brewing tends to ferment cooler and cleaner, so the flavor stays crisp and tidy. That’s why you get an easy-drinking finish with bright grapefruit aroma and acidity on top.
MugiOhhh, so it’s not just fruity chaos. If it also has a gentle bitterness, that sounds balanced instead of sweet and wild.
Hop BroExactly. It’s 4.5% ABV, sold in 330ml bottles and 15L kegs, and this is already its fourth year as a summer seasonal staple.
MugiFourth year? That’s not a newcomer, that’s summer royalty. So where do we find this limited-release favorite before everyone else does?
Hop BroIt’ll roll out through Kiuchi’s direct stores, online shop, and liquor retailers. Draft pours will also show up at places like the brewery tasting spots and Hitachino Brewing locations. For a brewery founded in 1823, that historic sake maker energy is pretty cool.
MugiA long-running sake brewery making something this breezy for summer is kind of amazing. Using seasonal ingredients like that feels seriously craftsman-like.
Hop BroServe it ice-cold and that citrus aroma should pop right out. It sounds like the kind of true midsummer beer that disappears fast once the first sip lands.
MugiThat settles it. My brain is already at cheers with Grapefruit Lager mode, and now I want snacks and a cold glass immediately.
