Ushitora Brewery's "986 If You're Unsure, This Pale Ale!" Newly Tapped at HOPMAN
At the beer pub HOPMAN in Chigasaki, Kanagawa, Ushitora Brewery's pale ale "986 If You're Unsure, This Pale Ale!" has been newly tapped. With 5.0% ABV, it is introduced as an easy-drinking beer with aromas reminiscent of orange and apricot and a gentle bitterness, designed with drinkability in mind.
Hop BroToday's topic is the Ushitora Brewery pale ale newly tapped at HOPMAN in Chigasaki. It's called "986 If You're Unsure, This Pale Ale!" and even the name already feels incredibly reassuring.
MugiWhoa, the name "If You're Unsure, This Pale Ale!" is so helpful! But that makes me even more curious about when you'd actually choose it.
Hop BroIt's an easy-drinking 5.0% ABV beer, designed less to go big and bold than to be something you can confidently reach for first. The hop aroma is orange- and apricot-like, with a gentle bitterness.
MugiHuh, but why do orange and apricot come through in beer? It's strange how that kind of fruity aroma appears!
Hop BroThat's from aroma compounds derived from the hops. This one uses three kinds of hops, and by layering the aromas, it brings out both an orange-like character and a soft apricot note.
MugiI see! And I was wondering, what is Red X from the article? That name sounds kind of powerful!
Hop BroRed X is a type of malt that adds color and a hint of sweetness. Here, it gives the beer a slightly orange-leaning hue and leaves a little caramel character within its crisp mouthfeel.
MugiCrisp but with depth too, nice! And HOPMAN is a beer pub on the second floor in Chigasaki that focuses on draft beer, right? The atmosphere alone makes me want to drink there.
Hop BroExactly. HOPMAN is the kind of place where these kinds of calming pale ales really shine. It works whether you want a clear hop presence or just want to start the night with a gentle first pint.
MugiSo that means it's perfect as the first beer too? The answer to "what should I choose?" is literally in the beer's name!
Hop BroExactly. It's a reliable beer that wins with honesty rather than flash, so it's the kind of pint that makes you want to order it without overthinking.
MugiOkay, I want to drink it too! A pale ale like this that you don't have to overthink is usually the first one to disappear.
A New Pale Ale at HOPMAN
On May 3, 2026, HOPMAN, the beer pub in Jukkenzaka, Chigasaki City, Kanagawa Prefecture, introduced Ushitora Brewery's "986 If You're Unsure, This Pale Ale!" as a new tap on its Instagram. It has 5.0% ABV. Rather than putting a flashy personality front and center, it is designed as a "calming pale ale" that people can reach for without hesitation.
According to the brewery's description, it is built on ale malt with some Red X added, giving it a slightly orange-leaning color. The mouthfeel is crisp, while leaving a subtle caramel note behind. Three types of hops are used, layering aromas reminiscent of orange and flavors that suggest gentle apricot. The bitterness is restrained, resulting in a taste that emphasizes the comfort and stability of a familiar, easy-to-drink beer.
HOPMAN is a beer pub on the second floor in Chigasaki. Known as a place where you can enjoy craft beer, mainly on draft, it seems likely that a well-balanced pale ale like this will be one of the most approachable items on the lineup. It suits both days when you want a clear hop character and days when you want to start with a gentle first pint.
An earnest pale ale that could become a benchmark when you're not sure what to choose. As a beer currently on tap at HOPMAN, it's a label worth remembering.
Information may be inaccurate. Please refer to the venue’s official channels for the latest details.
Hop BroToday's topic is the Ushitora Brewery pale ale newly tapped at HOPMAN in Chigasaki. It's called "986 If You're Unsure, This Pale Ale!" and even the name already feels incredibly reassuring.
MugiWhoa, the name "If You're Unsure, This Pale Ale!" is so helpful! But that makes me even more curious about when you'd actually choose it.
Hop BroIt's an easy-drinking 5.0% ABV beer, designed less to go big and bold than to be something you can confidently reach for first. The hop aroma is orange- and apricot-like, with a gentle bitterness.
MugiHuh, but why do orange and apricot come through in beer? It's strange how that kind of fruity aroma appears!
Hop BroThat's from aroma compounds derived from the hops. This one uses three kinds of hops, and by layering the aromas, it brings out both an orange-like character and a soft apricot note.
MugiI see! And I was wondering, what is Red X from the article? That name sounds kind of powerful!
Hop BroRed X is a type of malt that adds color and a hint of sweetness. Here, it gives the beer a slightly orange-leaning hue and leaves a little caramel character within its crisp mouthfeel.
MugiCrisp but with depth too, nice! And HOPMAN is a beer pub on the second floor in Chigasaki that focuses on draft beer, right? The atmosphere alone makes me want to drink there.
Hop BroExactly. HOPMAN is the kind of place where these kinds of calming pale ales really shine. It works whether you want a clear hop presence or just want to start the night with a gentle first pint.
MugiSo that means it's perfect as the first beer too? The answer to "what should I choose?" is literally in the beer's name!
Hop BroExactly. It's a reliable beer that wins with honesty rather than flash, so it's the kind of pint that makes you want to order it without overthinking.
MugiOkay, I want to drink it too! A pale ale like this that you don't have to overthink is usually the first one to disappear.
