ISLAND BREWERY's "Yuzu Koji Ale" on tap at Beer House Hobbit in Hirakata
At Beer House Hobbit in Hirakata, Osaka, ISLAND BREWERY's "YUZU-KOJI ALE (Yuzu Koji Ale)" from Iki City, Nagasaki Prefecture, has been tapped. It is a guest beer with an impressive balance of aroma and acidity, made with yuzu from Iki and white koji.
Hop BroA special guest from Iki has just been tapped at Beer House Hobbit in Hirakata. This time it's ISLAND BREWERY's "YUZU-KOJI ALE (Yuzu Koji Ale)," and even the name already sounds like the aroma is coming right at you.
MugiWait, what's a yuzu koji ale?! I get yuzu, but koji? Is that the same koji used in miso or amazake?
Hop BroExactly. It's a beer that combines white koji with yuzu from Iki. It brings out the aroma with yuzu juice and yuzu peel, then layers in the gentle acidity from the koji, so what's interesting is that it isn't just a citrus beer.
MugiI see, so the key is the balance of acidity. But if you add koji, doesn't the beer suddenly become too Japanese?
Hop BroThat's the clever part: it's made as a beer that goes well with fish. ISLAND BREWERY focuses on "beer that goes well with fish" on Iki Island, and they're good at designing beers that slip right in as a food-pairing drink.
MugiOh, so it's food-friendly! Then it sounds like something you can drink without getting tired of it, even while snacking.
Hop BroExactly. When you pour it into a glass, the bright yuzu aroma comes first, and then the soft acidity from the koji lingers gently. It still has a real fruit character, too.
MugiI get the fruit character, but when you say "koji nuance," it suddenly sounds advanced! Can you put that more simply?
Hop BroSimply put, it means a gentle sourness and a rounded smoothness. Think bright yuzu, but without any harsh edges, so it's easy to get into even if you're not usually into fruit beers.
MugiI see, then even a fruit-beer beginner like me could go for it! And if I can drink it in Hirakata, that's great since I can try it before going all the way to Iki.
Hop BroExactly. The fun of this one is being able to taste an Iki vibe right in Hirakata. Being able to chase guest beers like this together with beers from around the world at Beer House Hobbit, which you can reach on foot from the station, is a big plus.
MugiNow I really want to drink it! This is definitely my candidate for tonight's first pint. I want to enjoy the yuzu aroma with my nose first, then take a sip!
Hop BroNice. Enjoying the aroma first might be the right way to drink this beer. Then I want to raise a glass with you too, feeling the breeze of Iki.
Beer House Hobbit, a beer pub in Hirakata, Osaka, has received "YUZU-KOJI ALE (Yuzu Koji Ale)" from ISLAND BREWERY, a brewery in Iki City, Nagasaki Prefecture.
This beer combines yuzu juice and yuzu peel harvested on Iki with white koji, which is also used in the production of Iki shochu. It is characterized by the bright yuzu aroma that rises from the glass and the gentle acidity from the koji, resulting in a fruit-forward drinking experience. It is easy to enjoy as a food-pairing beer and is known as a beer designed with fish dishes in mind.
ISLAND BREWERY is a brewery on Iki Island that builds its lineup around "beer that goes well with fish." Alongside its regular offerings, "GOLDEN ALE" and "IPA," "YUZU-KOJI ALE" stands out as a distinctive beer that makes the most of local ingredients. Because the bright citrus notes and koji nuances overlap, it is appealing even to people who are not usually familiar with fruit beers.
Beer House Hobbit, meanwhile, is a beer pub within walking distance of Hirakata-shi Station. It is known for offering a wide range of beers from around the world and for being a place where you can casually stop in and enjoy tastings. The key point of this tap opening is that it lets you taste a craft beer that is usually hard to find unless you go all the way to Iki, right here in Hirakata. It is a beer worth paying attention to whether you're looking for just one light drink or chasing guest beers.
Information may be inaccurate. Please refer to the venue’s official channels for the latest details.
Hop BroA special guest from Iki has just been tapped at Beer House Hobbit in Hirakata. This time it's ISLAND BREWERY's "YUZU-KOJI ALE (Yuzu Koji Ale)," and even the name already sounds like the aroma is coming right at you.
MugiWait, what's a yuzu koji ale?! I get yuzu, but koji? Is that the same koji used in miso or amazake?
Hop BroExactly. It's a beer that combines white koji with yuzu from Iki. It brings out the aroma with yuzu juice and yuzu peel, then layers in the gentle acidity from the koji, so what's interesting is that it isn't just a citrus beer.
MugiI see, so the key is the balance of acidity. But if you add koji, doesn't the beer suddenly become too Japanese?
Hop BroThat's the clever part: it's made as a beer that goes well with fish. ISLAND BREWERY focuses on "beer that goes well with fish" on Iki Island, and they're good at designing beers that slip right in as a food-pairing drink.
MugiOh, so it's food-friendly! Then it sounds like something you can drink without getting tired of it, even while snacking.
Hop BroExactly. When you pour it into a glass, the bright yuzu aroma comes first, and then the soft acidity from the koji lingers gently. It still has a real fruit character, too.
MugiI get the fruit character, but when you say "koji nuance," it suddenly sounds advanced! Can you put that more simply?
Hop BroSimply put, it means a gentle sourness and a rounded smoothness. Think bright yuzu, but without any harsh edges, so it's easy to get into even if you're not usually into fruit beers.
MugiI see, then even a fruit-beer beginner like me could go for it! And if I can drink it in Hirakata, that's great since I can try it before going all the way to Iki.
Hop BroExactly. The fun of this one is being able to taste an Iki vibe right in Hirakata. Being able to chase guest beers like this together with beers from around the world at Beer House Hobbit, which you can reach on foot from the station, is a big plus.
MugiNow I really want to drink it! This is definitely my candidate for tonight's first pint. I want to enjoy the yuzu aroma with my nose first, then take a sip!
Hop BroNice. Enjoying the aroma first might be the right way to drink this beer. Then I want to raise a glass with you too, feeling the breeze of Iki.
