North Island Beer Releases Hazy IPA “Ginzy,” Born from Naming Rights
North Island Beer in Ebetsu, Hokkaido, released a limited Hazy IPA, “Ginzy (Ginzy),” on April 10, named by a customer who won the beer naming rights at the brewery’s 16th anniversary celebration. It is a beer that balances fruitiness and easy drinkability using Haruyutaka wheat.
Hop BroNorth Island Beer has released a limited brew born from naming rights. The customer who won the naming rights at the 16th anniversary celebration chose the name “Ginzy (Ginzy),” and it goes on sale on April 10, 2026.
MugiWhat, beer names can be crowd-sourced too!? Ginzy (Ginzy) sounds strong and cute at the same time, so it made me do a double take!
Hop BroThe style is a Hazy IPA, and the alcohol content is 6%. Using Luminosa, Strata, and Simcoe, it layers peach- and tropical-fruit-like aromas with the freshness of orange and mikan.
MugiWhoa! I know Hazy IPA means it’s cloudy, but why does it end up so “softly fruity”?
Hop BroGood question. Because it uses plenty of Haruyutaka, the mouthfeel becomes soft, and it’s juicy and easy to drink. The gentle character of the wheat is what supports that hazy, smooth texture.
MugiHuh! Balancing fruitiness and drinkability is ambitious, but it really works. It sounds like it would go down smoothly, not just taste good!
Hop BroWhat’s more, the hop work is interesting: Luminosa and Strata bring a bright juiciness and a passion-fruit-like depth, while Simcoe sharpens the outline of the citrus notes.
MugiWow, just hearing that makes my throat tighten! If it has depth in the aroma, it sounds like it has real substance, not just sweetness!
Hop BroExactly. North Island Beer is a brewery in Ebetsu, and the fact that this is a limited release from Ebetsu gives it a strong regional identity. It also has the background story of being started by a brewer who trained in Canada, so the narrative is powerful too.
MugiI like that. Once you know the background, it makes you want to drink it even more. With draft beer at the directly operated beer bar, I can’t stop thinking, I want to drink it right now!
A Limited Release Born from Naming Rights
North Island Beer has started selling its limited beer, “Ginzy (Ginzy).” The release date is April 10, 2026. This beer is a Hazy IPA named by a customer who won the beer naming rights at the brewery’s 16th anniversary celebration, and its name is said to reflect both the customer’s son, “Ginji-kun,” and a love for Hazy IPA.
A Fruity Hazy IPA Finish
The style is Hazy I.P.A. It has an alcohol content of 6%, and uses Luminosa, Strata, and Simcoe hops. According to the product description, it is designed with a sweet, lively aroma reminiscent of peach and tropical fruit, layered with the refreshing citrus notes of orange and mikan. Luminosa’s bright, juicy impression, Strata’s depth evoking passion fruit, and Simcoe’s citrus aroma create layers that give the aroma depth.
In addition, by generously using Haruyutaka, the wheat Ebetsu proudly offers, it is said to have been finished with a soft, juicy, and light drinking impression. It is a Hazy IPA that emphasizes fruitiness and ease of drinking, making it easy to enjoy in everyday settings as well.
Craft Beer from Ebetsu
North Island Beer is a brewery based in Ebetsu, Hokkaido. Its official website introduces that it was founded by a brewer who trained in Canada, and in addition to five core beers, it also offers limited and seasonal products. Another feature is that the directly operated beer bar lets visitors enjoy a wide variety of draft beers in a space made with bricks from Ebetsu.
This “Ginzy” is a beer created through the combination of the brewery’s anniversary event, customer-participation naming, and local wheat. As a craft beer from Ebetsu, it is worth noting as a limited release that strongly conveys both regional character and the individuality of its brewing.
Information may be inaccurate. Please refer to the brewery’s official channels for the latest details.
Hop BroNorth Island Beer has released a limited brew born from naming rights. The customer who won the naming rights at the 16th anniversary celebration chose the name “Ginzy (Ginzy),” and it goes on sale on April 10, 2026.
MugiWhat, beer names can be crowd-sourced too!? Ginzy (Ginzy) sounds strong and cute at the same time, so it made me do a double take!
Hop BroThe style is a Hazy IPA, and the alcohol content is 6%. Using Luminosa, Strata, and Simcoe, it layers peach- and tropical-fruit-like aromas with the freshness of orange and mikan.
MugiWhoa! I know Hazy IPA means it’s cloudy, but why does it end up so “softly fruity”?
Hop BroGood question. Because it uses plenty of Haruyutaka, the mouthfeel becomes soft, and it’s juicy and easy to drink. The gentle character of the wheat is what supports that hazy, smooth texture.
MugiHuh! Balancing fruitiness and drinkability is ambitious, but it really works. It sounds like it would go down smoothly, not just taste good!
Hop BroWhat’s more, the hop work is interesting: Luminosa and Strata bring a bright juiciness and a passion-fruit-like depth, while Simcoe sharpens the outline of the citrus notes.
MugiWow, just hearing that makes my throat tighten! If it has depth in the aroma, it sounds like it has real substance, not just sweetness!
Hop BroExactly. North Island Beer is a brewery in Ebetsu, and the fact that this is a limited release from Ebetsu gives it a strong regional identity. It also has the background story of being started by a brewer who trained in Canada, so the narrative is powerful too.
MugiI like that. Once you know the background, it makes you want to drink it even more. With draft beer at the directly operated beer bar, I can’t stop thinking, I want to drink it right now!
