North Island Beer to Release West Coast IPA 'Glide Drive' on April 24
North Island Beer in Ebetsu, Hokkaido, will release its limited beer 'Glide Drive' on April 24, 2026. It is a West Coast IPA that layers fruity aroma with bitterness, and it uses Idaho7, Columbus, Chinook, and Mosaic hops.
Hop BroToday, it's about the limited-release 'Glide Drive' from North Island Beer in Ebetsu, Hokkaido, coming out on April 24, 2026. West Coast IPA fans are probably very interested in this one.
MugiWhoa, just the name Glide Drive sounds fast! And West Coast IPA sounds cool too, but what's so different about it?
Hop BroThe appeal is its sharp, well-defined bitterness. It's 6.5% ABV with an IBU of 50, and the hop lineup of Idaho7, Columbus, Chinook, and Mosaic brings both aroma and bitterness to the front.
MugiIBU again! I get that it's a bitterness number, but how bitter is 50, exactly?
Hop BroRoughly speaking, it's firmly bitter without being too hard to drink. And this one layers in fruity aroma too, so it's not just bitter; it's the kind that comes in smoothly through the fragrance.
MugiOhhh! If fruity aroma and bitterness come together like that, it sounds delicious, like an adult juice!
Hop BroNorth Island Beer is a brewery that carries the slogan Beer is Art, and it doesn't just make its core beers; it actively releases seasonal limited editions too. It was started by a brewer who trained in Canada, so the brewing pedigree is solid.
MugiThat's so cool! And the fact that it connects from the Ebetsu brewery to its directly operated beer bar in Sapporo gives it such a sense of place!
Hop BroExactly. And just like its weizen made with wheat from Ebetsu, it's also good at making use of local ingredients. So 'Glide Drive' should be a beer that shows off a limited hop expression.
MugiThen this would be amazing with fried foods or spicy dishes! It's the kind of beer that's perfect for drinking with food.
Hop BroExactly. Today, I'm in the mood to slowly chase the hop aroma and bitterness with 'Glide Drive'.
MugiI already want to drink it! That's what makes limited beers so fun, isn't it?
Hokkaido's North Island Beer, based in Ebetsu, will release its limited beer 'Glide Drive' on April 24, 2026. On its official website, the brewery lists the style as West Coast I.P.A., alcohol content as 6.5%, and IBU as 50, and says it uses Idaho7, Columbus, Chinook, and Mosaic hops.
> A West Coast I.P.A. where fruity aroma and bitterness flow together.
North Island Beer is a brewery founded by a brewer who trained in Canada, and it is also known for its directly operated shop, Beer Bar NORTH ISLAND, in central Sapporo. On its official website, it promotes the slogan Beer is Art and continually rolls out seasonal and limited-batch beers in addition to its five standard offerings. Its use of local ingredients, such as a weizen made with wheat from Ebetsu, is another hallmark.
This latest Glide Drive can be seen as a beer that puts hop-derived aroma and bitterness front and center even within the brewery's limited lineup. While it suits people who want to enjoy the crisp bitterness typical of a West Coast IPA, the key point is that it also carries a fruity aroma. As a drink with food, it should pair well with fried foods, dishes seasoned with spices, and cheeses with strong aromas.
Within North Island Beer's distribution network, which connects the brewery in Ebetsu to its directly operated beer bar in Sapporo and then to retailers, the limited beers are always a chance to enjoy seasonal character and style differences. 'Glide Drive' is also drawing attention as a new release to pick up when you want to try a different expression of hops than the standard lineup.
Information may be inaccurate. Please refer to the brewery’s official channels for the latest details.
Hop BroToday, it's about the limited-release 'Glide Drive' from North Island Beer in Ebetsu, Hokkaido, coming out on April 24, 2026. West Coast IPA fans are probably very interested in this one.
MugiWhoa, just the name Glide Drive sounds fast! And West Coast IPA sounds cool too, but what's so different about it?
Hop BroThe appeal is its sharp, well-defined bitterness. It's 6.5% ABV with an IBU of 50, and the hop lineup of Idaho7, Columbus, Chinook, and Mosaic brings both aroma and bitterness to the front.
MugiIBU again! I get that it's a bitterness number, but how bitter is 50, exactly?
Hop BroRoughly speaking, it's firmly bitter without being too hard to drink. And this one layers in fruity aroma too, so it's not just bitter; it's the kind that comes in smoothly through the fragrance.
MugiOhhh! If fruity aroma and bitterness come together like that, it sounds delicious, like an adult juice!
Hop BroNorth Island Beer is a brewery that carries the slogan Beer is Art, and it doesn't just make its core beers; it actively releases seasonal limited editions too. It was started by a brewer who trained in Canada, so the brewing pedigree is solid.
MugiThat's so cool! And the fact that it connects from the Ebetsu brewery to its directly operated beer bar in Sapporo gives it such a sense of place!
Hop BroExactly. And just like its weizen made with wheat from Ebetsu, it's also good at making use of local ingredients. So 'Glide Drive' should be a beer that shows off a limited hop expression.
MugiThen this would be amazing with fried foods or spicy dishes! It's the kind of beer that's perfect for drinking with food.
Hop BroExactly. Today, I'm in the mood to slowly chase the hop aroma and bitterness with 'Glide Drive'.
MugiI already want to drink it! That's what makes limited beers so fun, isn't it?
