North Island Beer to Offer 11 Varieties at Kobe Hankyu's "Early Summer Hokkaido Product Fair"
North Island Beer, based in Ebetsu, Hokkaido, has announced the tap list it will bring to Kobe Hankyu's "Early Summer Hokkaido Product Fair," held from May 13 to 19. The lineup features 11 labels in total, combining five core beers with seasonal and new releases.
Hop BroAt Kobe Hankyu's Early Summer Hokkaido Product Fair, North Island Beer is lining up 11 beers. With five core beers plus seasonal and new releases, it's a really fun lineup for comparing different styles.
MugiWhat! 11 beers on tap? With that many, I'd freeze up trying to decide what to order first!
Hop BroIf you want to start with the essentials, go for classics like Pilsner and I.P.A.. Add Brown Ale, Coriander Black, and Weizen, and you get a wide spread from lager to dark beer to wheat beer.
MugiWhat is that! Coriander black? Do they put spices in beer? Now it suddenly feels more like cooking, and my brain can't keep up!
Hop BroExactly. Coriander is part of the aroma profile, and Coriander Black is the kind of beer where that character really comes through. The roasty notes overlap with a herbal impression, so it's more interesting than just being dark.
MugiOhh! So the wheatiness of Weizen means a soft, smooth mouthfeel? It sounds like it might even smell a bit like bread, which makes me curious!
Hop BroThat's exactly the idea. And because it uses Ebetsu-grown Haruyutaka wheat, it's easy to feel the character of the local ingredients too. Another interesting one is Gin ZY, which was also made with a sense of local identity in mind.
MugiWait, you can taste the ingredients of Ebetsu too? This isn't just some event listing after all; I love that there's a real local story behind it.
Hop BroAnd since it's running from May 13 to 19, it would be worth going more than once during the event and comparing them. There are also hop-forward beers like SESSION I.P.A. and Glide Drive, so you can change up your approach depending on your mood.
MugiWow, I want to split my visits between hop-heavy days and mellow drinking days! There's nothing better than snacking on Hokkaido food at a product fair while picking out a beer!
Hop BroExactly. Because they have everything from classic pilsners to limited releases, there's real fun in comparing the beers. This is the kind of lineup that makes you want to have one drink on site and then pick your next one.
MugiYeah, I can't stop feeling like I want one right now! I can't go to Kobe Hankyu today, so I'll at least look at beer photos and feel like I'm raising a toast!
11 Beers on Tap at Kobe Hankyu
North Island Beer, based in Ebetsu in Hokkaido, has unveiled its event tap list for the "Kobe Hankyu Early Summer Hokkaido Product Fair." The event runs from May 13 to May 19. This lineup brings together a broad range of beers, from the brewery's signature staples to limited offerings.
On tap will be the five core beers, Pilsner, Brown Ale, Coriander Black, Weizen, and I.P.A., along with Coriander White, SESSION I.P.A., Haruyoi, Sylvan Relic, Glide Drive, and Gin ZY, for a total of 11 labels. With lager, brown ale, black beer, wheat beer, IPA, and hazy IPA all included, the lineup clearly shows a wide range of flavors.
Among them, Weizen, made with Ebetsu-grown "Haruyutaka" wheat, and Gin ZY, which also emphasizes local Ebetsu ingredients, are beers that evoke a strong sense of place. At the same time, labels with a pronounced hop character such as I.P.A. and Glide Drive are also included, promising a fun tasting comparison at the venue.
North Island Beer began brewing in Hokkaido in 2003 and relocated to Ebetsu in 2009. Today, in addition to its Ebetsu brewery, it also serves draft beer at its directly operated bar in central Sapporo, "Beer Bar NORTH ISLAND." Its approach of staying rooted in the local area while pairing its five core beers with seasonal releases is reflected in this event tap list as well.
For anyone looking for a beer to enjoy alongside food at a Hokkaido product fair, this lineup, which ranges from classic pilsners to distinctive limited releases, is one to watch. With so many options available, visitors are likely to split on which label to choose.
Information may be inaccurate. Please refer to the brewery’s official channels for the latest details.
Hop BroAt Kobe Hankyu's Early Summer Hokkaido Product Fair, North Island Beer is lining up 11 beers. With five core beers plus seasonal and new releases, it's a really fun lineup for comparing different styles.
MugiWhat! 11 beers on tap? With that many, I'd freeze up trying to decide what to order first!
Hop BroIf you want to start with the essentials, go for classics like Pilsner and I.P.A.. Add Brown Ale, Coriander Black, and Weizen, and you get a wide spread from lager to dark beer to wheat beer.
MugiWhat is that! Coriander black? Do they put spices in beer? Now it suddenly feels more like cooking, and my brain can't keep up!
Hop BroExactly. Coriander is part of the aroma profile, and Coriander Black is the kind of beer where that character really comes through. The roasty notes overlap with a herbal impression, so it's more interesting than just being dark.
MugiOhh! So the wheatiness of Weizen means a soft, smooth mouthfeel? It sounds like it might even smell a bit like bread, which makes me curious!
Hop BroThat's exactly the idea. And because it uses Ebetsu-grown Haruyutaka wheat, it's easy to feel the character of the local ingredients too. Another interesting one is Gin ZY, which was also made with a sense of local identity in mind.
MugiWait, you can taste the ingredients of Ebetsu too? This isn't just some event listing after all; I love that there's a real local story behind it.
Hop BroAnd since it's running from May 13 to 19, it would be worth going more than once during the event and comparing them. There are also hop-forward beers like SESSION I.P.A. and Glide Drive, so you can change up your approach depending on your mood.
MugiWow, I want to split my visits between hop-heavy days and mellow drinking days! There's nothing better than snacking on Hokkaido food at a product fair while picking out a beer!
Hop BroExactly. Because they have everything from classic pilsners to limited releases, there's real fun in comparing the beers. This is the kind of lineup that makes you want to have one drink on site and then pick your next one.
MugiYeah, I can't stop feeling like I want one right now! I can't go to Kobe Hankyu today, so I'll at least look at beer photos and feel like I'm raising a toast!
