Inkhorn Brewing releases 'Java Finch 2026,' bringing back Galaxy
Inkhorn Brewing has unveiled its new American IPA, 'Java Finch 2026.' At 6.5% ABV, it brings Galaxy back into the mix and pairs it with Citra and Krush for a beer with resinous character and tropical aromas.
Hop BroA new beer, Java Finch 2026, has come out from Inkhorn Brewing in Mejiro. It’s an American IPA at 6.5% ABV, and it’s definitely one for hop lovers to keep an eye on.
MugiWhoa! Even the name Java Finch 2026 sounds intense! And an American IPA sounds like it’ll have some real depth to it.
Hop BroThe big point is the return of Galaxy, which they’d been leaving out for a while. They apparently revisited the pairing after the 2022 and 2023 crops, then decided it worked again with the 2024 crop and later.
MugiOh, I see! But do breweries really revisit compatibility like that? Aren’t hops the same every time?
Hop BroThat’s the interesting part: hops have their own character from year to year. This time, they combined Galaxy with Citra and Krush to build layers of aroma.
MugiSeriously? Hop character is like wine! So what kind of aroma does it have?
Hop BroYou get pink grapefruit, passion fruit, mango, and lychee, and on top of that there’s a resinous bitterness. It’s not just sweet; it finishes crisp, which is the nice part.
MugiResinous, as in that sticky kind of thing? Crisp bitterness is a little hard to picture!
Hop BroExactly. Think of it as a piney or forest-like nuance, and you’ll be pretty close. Plus it has a dry finish, so it drinks without feeling heavy from sweetness.
MugiI get it! And with wheat malt in there too, they’re keeping the bitterness from taking over. Gentle, but still clearly an IPA—I kind of like that!
Hop BroExactly. You could take your time with it at the Mejiro taproom, and as the weather heats up, taking it on in a pint glass is the best way to go.
MugiAh, now I really want one after hearing that! Should we head out tonight to check out the hop expression for ourselves?
Hop BroLet’s do it. Tonight I’d like to take my time with a glass while we check out the Galaxy aroma.
Tokyo-based Inkhorn Brewing, located in Mejiro, Toshima Ward, announced a new IPA, 'Java Finch 2026.' The style is American IPA, and the alcohol content is 6.5%. It was crafted as a beer that reworked the hop combination and refined the balance of the drinking experience.
The brewery continues to roll out both regular and seasonal beers, centered on its Mejiro taproom and e-commerce site. The key point of 'Java Finch 2026' is the return of Galaxy, which they had held back from using for some time. While the 2022 and 2023 harvests of Galaxy prompted them to reassess its compatibility with the recipe, trying Galaxy from 2024 onward led them to decide it was worth using again.
Recipe Overview
- Malt: Extra Pils, Wheat
- Hops: Citra LUPOMAX, Citra Cryo, Galaxy, Krush LUPOMAX, Citra
- Yeast: WLP001
- ABV: 6.5%
The aroma profile is one that naturally brings to mind pink grapefruit, passion fruit, mango, and lychee. Layered on top of that is a resin-like bitterness, and the finish is kept dry. By adding a small amount of wheat malt, they also aimed to keep the bitterness from coming on too strongly and to create a lingering aftertaste that gently stays with you.
The post introduced it as a beer you'd want to reach for as temperatures and humidity begin to rise. It is an IPA with clearly expressed hop character, best enjoyed slowly from a pint glass.
Information may be inaccurate. Please refer to the brewery’s official channels for the latest details.
Hop BroA new beer, Java Finch 2026, has come out from Inkhorn Brewing in Mejiro. It’s an American IPA at 6.5% ABV, and it’s definitely one for hop lovers to keep an eye on.
MugiWhoa! Even the name Java Finch 2026 sounds intense! And an American IPA sounds like it’ll have some real depth to it.
Hop BroThe big point is the return of Galaxy, which they’d been leaving out for a while. They apparently revisited the pairing after the 2022 and 2023 crops, then decided it worked again with the 2024 crop and later.
MugiOh, I see! But do breweries really revisit compatibility like that? Aren’t hops the same every time?
Hop BroThat’s the interesting part: hops have their own character from year to year. This time, they combined Galaxy with Citra and Krush to build layers of aroma.
MugiSeriously? Hop character is like wine! So what kind of aroma does it have?
Hop BroYou get pink grapefruit, passion fruit, mango, and lychee, and on top of that there’s a resinous bitterness. It’s not just sweet; it finishes crisp, which is the nice part.
MugiResinous, as in that sticky kind of thing? Crisp bitterness is a little hard to picture!
Hop BroExactly. Think of it as a piney or forest-like nuance, and you’ll be pretty close. Plus it has a dry finish, so it drinks without feeling heavy from sweetness.
MugiI get it! And with wheat malt in there too, they’re keeping the bitterness from taking over. Gentle, but still clearly an IPA—I kind of like that!
Hop BroExactly. You could take your time with it at the Mejiro taproom, and as the weather heats up, taking it on in a pint glass is the best way to go.
MugiAh, now I really want one after hearing that! Should we head out tonight to check out the hop expression for ourselves?
Hop BroLet’s do it. Tonight I’d like to take my time with a glass while we check out the Galaxy aroma.
