Jokun Brewing Lab in Tokamachi lines up second batch of Hopfield
Jokun Brewing Lab, the brewpub in Tokamachi, Niigata, has shared its weekly schedule and announced that the second batch of Hopfield, back after roughly a year and a half, is due to be tapped soon. A seasonal herring dish with sansho also returns.
Hop BroI've got a Tokamachi update today: jokun-brewing/Craft Beer Jokun is about to tap Hopfield batch two.
MugiWhat! Back after 18 months? That's basically a seasonal boss character!
Hop BroPretty much. Hopfield is a Hazy IPA, but instead of making it cloudy just for looks, it leans on Vermont IPA thinking to push hop aroma and flavor forward.
MugiHold on, Vermont IPA sounds like a zip code and a spell. What does that even mean?
Hop BroBasically, rather than bulking up haze with wheat or oats, they're chasing haze from hop oils by loading in hops until the aroma and savoriness create that soft look naturally.
MugiOooh, so cloudy doesn't automatically mean heavy? It's more juicy and layered? My mouth is already trying to keep up!
Hop BroExactly. With multiple aroma hops stacked together, it should feel full-on hop flavor without turning one-note.
MugiAnd there's food too? Pickled herring with sansho? That escalated from beer news to dangerously good pub plans.
Hop BroThat's very Jokun. Brewer Iwata uses sansho picked from the family garden, so you get seasonal snack pairing that really clicks with the house beer.
MugiTokamachi is June 4 and 5, Yuzawa is June 5 and 6, all from 5 to 10 p.m., right? Perfect bar-hopping intel. I'm putting this on the calendar.
Hop BroRight, and that Tokamachi-Yuzawa split is part of the charm. This week's detour should absolutely be Hopfield with that sansho herring.
MugiDone. I want the first sip to yell hop field and the next bite to add an extra aroma kick. I seriously want a glass now!
Jokun Brewing Lab, a brewpub in Tokamachi, Niigata, has announced its schedule for the week. The Tokamachi location is set to open on June 4 and 5, while the Yuzawa location is scheduled for June 5 and 6. Both locations are planned to serve from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m.
The headline beer is Hopfield, now returning in its second batch after about a year and a half. The brewery describes it as a take on Vermont IPA, the style often linked to the origins of Hazy IPA. Rather than relying on wheat or oats to force haze, it aims to recreate the natural haze that comes from maximizing hop aroma and flavor. With a generous amount of aromatic hops, the beer is positioned as fruity, juicy, and layered.
For food, the seasonal herring with sansho pickles is also on offer. The sansho was picked by brewer Iwata from a tree in his family’s garden, bringing a fresh and bright aroma to the dish. For beer fans, the appeal here is straightforward: a local brewpub, fresh house beer, and seasonal food that fits the glass. In Tokamachi and Yuzawa, that combination is reason enough to pay attention to the tap list.
Information may be inaccurate. Please refer to the venue’s official channels for the latest details.
Hop BroI've got a Tokamachi update today: jokun-brewing/Craft Beer Jokun is about to tap Hopfield batch two.
MugiWhat! Back after 18 months? That's basically a seasonal boss character!
Hop BroPretty much. Hopfield is a Hazy IPA, but instead of making it cloudy just for looks, it leans on Vermont IPA thinking to push hop aroma and flavor forward.
MugiHold on, Vermont IPA sounds like a zip code and a spell. What does that even mean?
Hop BroBasically, rather than bulking up haze with wheat or oats, they're chasing haze from hop oils by loading in hops until the aroma and savoriness create that soft look naturally.
MugiOooh, so cloudy doesn't automatically mean heavy? It's more juicy and layered? My mouth is already trying to keep up!
Hop BroExactly. With multiple aroma hops stacked together, it should feel full-on hop flavor without turning one-note.
MugiAnd there's food too? Pickled herring with sansho? That escalated from beer news to dangerously good pub plans.
Hop BroThat's very Jokun. Brewer Iwata uses sansho picked from the family garden, so you get seasonal snack pairing that really clicks with the house beer.
MugiTokamachi is June 4 and 5, Yuzawa is June 5 and 6, all from 5 to 10 p.m., right? Perfect bar-hopping intel. I'm putting this on the calendar.
Hop BroRight, and that Tokamachi-Yuzawa split is part of the charm. This week's detour should absolutely be Hopfield with that sansho herring.
MugiDone. I want the first sip to yell hop field and the next bite to add an extra aroma kick. I seriously want a glass now!
