Hoppokotan Brewing Releases Four New FREEDOMS Beers Unveiled on March 26
Hoppokotan Brewing in Kamifurano, Hokkaido, introduced four new FREEDOMS releases unveiled on March 26: "HOP IN MY HEAD," "Umemigachi," "Aoran," and "Fiction." From IPA to saison, Cold IPA, and West Coast Pale Ale, this is a four-beer lineup that lets you enjoy a wide range of hop character.
Hop BroToday, the hot topic is the four new beers from Hoppokotan Brewing in Kamifurano, Hokkaido. The limited FREEDOMS series is bringing IPA, saison, Cold IPA, and West Coast Pale Ale all at once, so hop fans are going to be busy.
MugiWait, four kinds released all at once? There's no way I can choose just one, now I want to drink them all!
Hop BroFirst up is the American IPA HOP IN MY HEAD, right? It uses plenty of Kamifurano-grown Cascade in the whirlpool, then layers Citra, Mosaic, and Strata for a design that bursts with citrus and tropical fruit.
MugiWhat even is a whirlpool? It sounds like some kind of magic stirring machine, like the beer is dancing around in circles!
Hop BroRoughly speaking, it's a process that draws out hop aroma near the end of the boil. That's why it's less likely to lose the fragrance, and what's interesting about HOP IN MY HEAD is that it even brings out a white-grape-like note.
MugiOh wow! Then Umemigachi is interesting just from the name! A plum beer makes me think it might be sour, like a plum sour from an izakaya!
Hop BroThis is a Ume Saison, built on a base of Pilsner malt and wheat malt, with Kamifurano-grown Cascade used as a single hop. It has the freshness of green plum and the apricot-like fruitiness of ripe plum, and because it's dry and light, the drinking impression is very crisp.
MugiWhat, it even has apricot-like fruitiness despite being plum! Now my brain is busy looking at plums and apricots at the same time!
Hop BroAnd the one that's really pushing things is the Cold IPA Aoran. Chinook, Ekuanot, and Nelson Sauvin bring out green citrus, pine resin, and blueberry-like depth, while cornstarch keeps the body light.
MugiCornstarch!? Wait, you're putting cooking powder into beer? That suddenly feels very kitchen-like!
Hop BroExactly, the goal is to lighten the body and make the bitterness stand out sharply. That's why Aoran has a clean, sharp bitterness that feels great, and even with a satisfying 7.0% ABV, it finishes crisply.
MugiI'm curious about the last one too, Fiction! A West Coast Pale Ale that's not too heavy sounds like the perfect dream!
Hop BroIt centers on KRUSH and combines plenty of Kamifurano-grown Cascade, then leans tropical through double dry hopping while still keeping it easy to drink. The name comes from the idea of fiction and imagination, which reflects the recipe's pursuit of an ideal direction.
MugiI can't take it anymore, I'm completely sold on this Kamifurano hop showcase! Today I want to start with HOP IN MY HEAD and be surprised by the aroma, get hooked on the sharpness of Aoran, and finish with Fiction!
Hoppokotan Brewing, which continues to brew in Kamifurano, Hokkaido, has unveiled its March releases for the limited FREEDOMS series all at once. The lineup consists of four beers: the American IPA HOP IN MY HEAD, the Ume Saison Umemigachi, the Cold IPA Aoran, and the West Coast Pale Ale Fiction. Each beer is built around hop character, while clearly showcasing a broad range of styles.
HOP IN MY HEAD
An American IPA named after a Number Girl song. It lavishly uses Kamifurano-grown Cascade in the whirlpool, then layers Citra, Mosaic, and Strata for a design characterized by aromas reminiscent of citrus, tropical fruit, and white grapes. ABV 6.0%, IBU 55.
Umemigachi
A Ume Saison focused on plum aroma. Built on a base of Pilsner malt and wheat malt, it uses Kamifurano-grown Cascade as a single hop. In addition to the freshness of green plum, it also brings out the apricot-like fruitiness of fully ripe plums, finishing with a dry and lively drinking impression. ABV 4.5%, IBU 25.
Aoran
A Cold IPA using Chinook, Ekuanot, and Nelson Sauvin. Its aroma suggests green citrus and pine resin, with added depth reminiscent of blueberries. Cornstarch is used to keep the body light, and the bitterness is clean and sharp. ABV 7.0%, IBU 65.
Fiction
A West Coast Pale Ale centered on KRUSH and generously combined with Kamifurano-grown Cascade. Through double dry hopping, it layers tropical and juicy aromas while aiming for drinkability that is not as heavy as a West Coast IPA. The name comes from the nuances of "fiction" and "imagination," reflecting the recipe's pursuit of an ideal direction.
This new release highlights the relationship between Kamifurano and its hops while crossing over saison, IPA, Cold IPA, and pale ale. As expected from a limited series, the brewer's intent is directly translated into the shape of the flavor.
Information may be inaccurate. Please refer to the brewery’s official channels for the latest details.
Hop BroToday, the hot topic is the four new beers from Hoppokotan Brewing in Kamifurano, Hokkaido. The limited FREEDOMS series is bringing IPA, saison, Cold IPA, and West Coast Pale Ale all at once, so hop fans are going to be busy.
MugiWait, four kinds released all at once? There's no way I can choose just one, now I want to drink them all!
Hop BroFirst up is the American IPA HOP IN MY HEAD, right? It uses plenty of Kamifurano-grown Cascade in the whirlpool, then layers Citra, Mosaic, and Strata for a design that bursts with citrus and tropical fruit.
MugiWhat even is a whirlpool? It sounds like some kind of magic stirring machine, like the beer is dancing around in circles!
Hop BroRoughly speaking, it's a process that draws out hop aroma near the end of the boil. That's why it's less likely to lose the fragrance, and what's interesting about HOP IN MY HEAD is that it even brings out a white-grape-like note.
MugiOh wow! Then Umemigachi is interesting just from the name! A plum beer makes me think it might be sour, like a plum sour from an izakaya!
Hop BroThis is a Ume Saison, built on a base of Pilsner malt and wheat malt, with Kamifurano-grown Cascade used as a single hop. It has the freshness of green plum and the apricot-like fruitiness of ripe plum, and because it's dry and light, the drinking impression is very crisp.
MugiWhat, it even has apricot-like fruitiness despite being plum! Now my brain is busy looking at plums and apricots at the same time!
Hop BroAnd the one that's really pushing things is the Cold IPA Aoran. Chinook, Ekuanot, and Nelson Sauvin bring out green citrus, pine resin, and blueberry-like depth, while cornstarch keeps the body light.
MugiCornstarch!? Wait, you're putting cooking powder into beer? That suddenly feels very kitchen-like!
Hop BroExactly, the goal is to lighten the body and make the bitterness stand out sharply. That's why Aoran has a clean, sharp bitterness that feels great, and even with a satisfying 7.0% ABV, it finishes crisply.
MugiI'm curious about the last one too, Fiction! A West Coast Pale Ale that's not too heavy sounds like the perfect dream!
Hop BroIt centers on KRUSH and combines plenty of Kamifurano-grown Cascade, then leans tropical through double dry hopping while still keeping it easy to drink. The name comes from the idea of fiction and imagination, which reflects the recipe's pursuit of an ideal direction.
MugiI can't take it anymore, I'm completely sold on this Kamifurano hop showcase! Today I want to start with HOP IN MY HEAD and be surprised by the aroma, get hooked on the sharpness of Aoran, and finish with Fiction!
