Shonan Beer announces temporary closure and introduces Hop Kotan Brewing's `nonnno`
Shonan Beer said on June 30 that it would be temporarily closed, and also announced the in-store debut of `nonnno`, a flagship pale ale from Hop Kotan Brewing in Kamifurano, Hokkaido. The beer is brewed with 100% hops from Kamifurano.
Hop BroMugi, today's topic is Shonan Beer on June 30. Along with a temporary closure notice, they announced the first in-store appearance of Hoppkotan Brewing's `nonnno`.
MugiWhat! So it wasn't just a closure notice? And first appearance of nonnno is already a name I need explained.
Hop BroThat's the fun part. `nonnno` is a flagship from Hoppkotan Brewing in Kamifurano, Hokkaido, and it's a pale ale. The name means “flower” in Ainu.
MugiOh wow, that's cute already! But pale ale sounds like the honor-student beer of craft beer to me.
Hop BroThat comparison actually works. This one uses 100% Kamifurano-grown hops, so the citrusy hop flavor is a big part of the appeal.
MugiWait, what! You suddenly went full beer professor. “Hop flavor” and “top fermentation”... more jargon than foam over here!
Hop BroLet me simplify it. Top-fermentation aroma means it gives off a fuller, more expressive fragrance even before you sip. It's light, but still has a clear aromatic shape.
MugiOkay, now I get it! So it's easy to drink but still properly aromatic. And with a flower-inspired name plus citrus vibes, that sounds ridiculously refreshing.
Hop BroAnd here's another good detail: Shonan Beer itself values unfiltered, unpasteurized freshness. It's brewed by Kumazawa Shuzo in Chigasaki with deep local roots.
MugiA Shonan brewery introducing a Hokkaido classic is such a nice story. I'll remember the temporary closure, but on the next open day, I want a pint immediately.
Shonan Beer is brewed by Kumazawa Brewery in Chigasaki, Kanagawa. The brand emphasizes freshness: its beers are unfiltered and unpasteurized, with live yeast still present. Kumazawa describes itself as the last brewery remaining in Shonan.
In the June 30 post, the brewery first announced a temporary closure. It then introduced a beer from Hop Kotan Brewing in Kamifurano, Hokkaido, making its first appearance at the shop. The name Hop Kotan comes from Ainu and means a village or settlement. The beer featured in the post is the regular lineup beer `nonnno`, which also comes from an Ainu word meaning "flower."
The beer is a pale ale made with 100% hops grown in Kamifurano. According to the post, it offers citrus-like hop character and the rich aroma associated with top fermentation. Rather than a one-off release, this is a standard beer from another Japanese brewery, which makes the appearance notable for drinkers who follow brewery-to-brewery connections.
Kumazawa's official site describes Shonan Beer as a fresh, pure beer with live yeast. Seen in that context, this announcement adds a new option to the Chigasaki brewery's lineup while highlighting a brewery from a very different region of Japan.
Information may be inaccurate. Please refer to the brewery’s official channels for the latest details.
Hop BroMugi, today's topic is Shonan Beer on June 30. Along with a temporary closure notice, they announced the first in-store appearance of Hoppkotan Brewing's `nonnno`.
MugiWhat! So it wasn't just a closure notice? And first appearance of nonnno is already a name I need explained.
Hop BroThat's the fun part. `nonnno` is a flagship from Hoppkotan Brewing in Kamifurano, Hokkaido, and it's a pale ale. The name means “flower” in Ainu.
MugiOh wow, that's cute already! But pale ale sounds like the honor-student beer of craft beer to me.
Hop BroThat comparison actually works. This one uses 100% Kamifurano-grown hops, so the citrusy hop flavor is a big part of the appeal.
MugiWait, what! You suddenly went full beer professor. “Hop flavor” and “top fermentation”... more jargon than foam over here!
Hop BroLet me simplify it. Top-fermentation aroma means it gives off a fuller, more expressive fragrance even before you sip. It's light, but still has a clear aromatic shape.
MugiOkay, now I get it! So it's easy to drink but still properly aromatic. And with a flower-inspired name plus citrus vibes, that sounds ridiculously refreshing.
Hop BroAnd here's another good detail: Shonan Beer itself values unfiltered, unpasteurized freshness. It's brewed by Kumazawa Shuzo in Chigasaki with deep local roots.
MugiA Shonan brewery introducing a Hokkaido classic is such a nice story. I'll remember the temporary closure, but on the next open day, I want a pint immediately.
