HOP MAN taps karuizawaQ's apricot fruit ale “Ann”
HOP MAN, a beer pub in Chigasaki, Kanagawa, has tapped karuizawaQ’s “Ann,” a fruit ale brewed with apricots from Chikuma City in Nagano.
Hop BroChigasaki has a fresh tap worth chasing: karuizawaQ's Ann just went on at HOP MAN. It's an apricot-forward summer beer, so yeah, this one deserves some attention.
MugiWait, an apricot craft beer!? I was expecting jam vibes, not a pint. Why do I suddenly want this so badly?
Hop BroThe style is Fruit Ale w/Apricot, and it lands at 5.5% ABV. Easy to drink, but the fruit character still shows up clearly.
MugiHold on, fruit ale sounds like a pop quiz. So basically, it has fruit in it but still drinks like actual beer?
Hop BroExactly. It uses wheat malt too, which gives it a soft, smooth mouthfeel. Then the apricot brings gentle flavor and bright acidity, and the finish stays clean.
MugiAnd that Harcot apricot name is way too powerful. That sounds less like fruit and more like a final boss.
Hop BroFair, but it's actually a table apricot from Chikuma in Nagano, and the key is same-day processing. The season is short, so handling the fruit fast helps keep its shape in the beer.
MugiThis is its third appearance this year? Okay, so people are clearly waiting for it. Seasonal beers really do feel like catch-it-before-it's-gone quests.
Hop BroAnd HOP MAN, that second-floor spot near Chigasaki Station, is basically a meeting point for beer nerds. I'd pair this with fried food or salty light snacks so the acidity can shine.
MugiI can already picture fried chicken and Ann high-fiving on the table. If that apricot tang keeps it refreshing, I could crush this on a hot day.
Hop BroThat's the beauty of it: clear fruit character, light drinkability, and a perfect summer pour. After talking this through, I think we both need a glass immediately.
New tap
HOP MAN in Chigasaki, Kanagawa, has added karuizawaQ’s “Ann” to the taps. The beer comes in at 5.5% ABV and is listed as a Fruit Ale w/Apricot.
The beer uses the Hakot variety of apricot from Chikuma City, Nagano. According to the brewery note, the wheat-malt base gives it a soft mouthfeel, while the apricot adds a gentle fruit character and a clear, refreshing acidity. The result is a bright, easy-drinking beer with a clean finish, well suited to warm weather.
HOP MAN is a beer pub located on the second floor in Chigasaki, a spot known for its rotating draft lineup and appeal to drinkers looking for something beyond the standard lager pour. A fruit-driven seasonal beer like this adds a different kind of choice for regulars and visitors alike.
This is the third year for “Ann,” and the brewery notes that fresh apricots are processed the same day they are received because the fruit season is so short. That hands-on approach gives the beer a distinctly seasonal feel. If you enjoy fruit beers that still keep a firm beer backbone, this is one to look for.
Information may be inaccurate. Please refer to the venue’s official channels for the latest details.
Hop BroChigasaki has a fresh tap worth chasing: karuizawaQ's Ann just went on at HOP MAN. It's an apricot-forward summer beer, so yeah, this one deserves some attention.
MugiWait, an apricot craft beer!? I was expecting jam vibes, not a pint. Why do I suddenly want this so badly?
Hop BroThe style is Fruit Ale w/Apricot, and it lands at 5.5% ABV. Easy to drink, but the fruit character still shows up clearly.
MugiHold on, fruit ale sounds like a pop quiz. So basically, it has fruit in it but still drinks like actual beer?
Hop BroExactly. It uses wheat malt too, which gives it a soft, smooth mouthfeel. Then the apricot brings gentle flavor and bright acidity, and the finish stays clean.
MugiAnd that Harcot apricot name is way too powerful. That sounds less like fruit and more like a final boss.
Hop BroFair, but it's actually a table apricot from Chikuma in Nagano, and the key is same-day processing. The season is short, so handling the fruit fast helps keep its shape in the beer.
MugiThis is its third appearance this year? Okay, so people are clearly waiting for it. Seasonal beers really do feel like catch-it-before-it's-gone quests.
Hop BroAnd HOP MAN, that second-floor spot near Chigasaki Station, is basically a meeting point for beer nerds. I'd pair this with fried food or salty light snacks so the acidity can shine.
MugiI can already picture fried chicken and Ann high-fiving on the table. If that apricot tang keeps it refreshing, I could crush this on a hot day.
Hop BroThat's the beauty of it: clear fruit character, light drinkability, and a perfect summer pour. After talking this through, I think we both need a glass immediately.
