THE KICHI x Wanabia First Collaboration "Gekpo" Unveiled, Wrapping Up the Animal Beer Series
In a post dated February 13, 2026 about the brewery and cafe "THE KICHI" in Nikko, Tochigi, the brewery introduced its first collaboration beer with Wanabia, "Gekpo ~Moonwalk~." As the final installment in its animal-motif beer series, the post went into specific detail about the style, design philosophy, and pairing suggestion.
Hop BroNews just in: THE KICHI, the brewery and cafe in Nikko, Tochigi, has teamed up with Wanabia for its first collaboration and released "Gekpo ~Moonwalk~"! It's the final beer in the animal beer project!
MugiWhoa, a first collab for the final round? That's way too exciting! And the name Gekpo sounds kind of like a movie!
Hop BroIt's a West Coast Pilsner with 5.6% ABV. The animal motif is a cheetah, so the idea of "speed" is expressed in the flavor. It's dry and light, but the hops are still bold.
MugiWhat is that? Is a West Coast Pilsner a pilsner? An IPA? Which camp does it belong to!?
Hop BroGood question. Roughly speaking, it's like combining the clean body of a crisp lager with the aroma and bitterness of West Coast hops. The recipe cuts back the sweet, heavy ale-like character and speeds things up with citrus, pine, and sharp bitterness.
MugiOhhh! So it's light, but still packs a punch! The cheetah concept really runs through the flavor!
Hop BroThe naming background is interesting too. THE KICHI often uses weather-related names, but this time they compared the wort in the brewing tank to a full moon and landed on "Moonwalk." And then there's even a Moonwalk story from head brewer Hosoda at the event the next day. Very stylish.
MugiThat's a lot of information! The tank is a full moon, the brewer is moonwalking, and I'm doing steps in my head!
Hop BroThe recommendation of somen champuru in the post is great too. Pairing a dry, crisp West Coast Pilsner with a dish that has oil and salt really makes the bitterness and aroma stand out.
MugiIt's decided! I want to eat somen champuru while drinking "Gekpo ~Moonwalk~"! Tonight I'm going to sprint toward THE KICHI in spirit, even if my body can't make it!
Appearing as the Final Installment of the Animal Beer Project
In an Instagram post published on February 13, 2026, titled "Animal Beer is the last introduction today too!", THE KICHI and Wanabia featured their first collaboration beer, "Gekpo ~Moonwalk~". The post also mentioned head brewer Hosoda's "moonwalk" at the event the next day, and explained the origin of the beer's name in a story-like format.
The Beer Inside Is a West Coast Pilsner
This release is a West Coast Pilsner (ABV 5.6%). The animal motif is a cheetah, clearly reflecting the concept of "speed." The post describes how the brew strips away the weight and sweetness typical of an ale, pursuing a dry and light drinking experience. It is presented as a fast-moving beer that combines citrus and piney aromas, sharp bitterness, and the crisp finish of a pilsner.
That explanation of a hybrid between "lightness" and "aggression" captures the character of a West Coast Pilsner well, crossing classic lager context with modern hop expression, and it suggests a recipe aimed at a position different from a stout or a double IPA.
THE KICHI's Character and the Collaboration Context
The post also notes that many of THE KICHI's beer names are related to weather, while this time the naming adds a twist. It further explains how the wort in the brewing tank was likened to a full moon, leading to the final name "Moonwalk."
Based in Nikko, Tochigi, THE KICHI presents itself on Instagram as a "brewery & cafe," connecting a locally rooted place with craft beer making. The way this collaboration presents the partner's story, the drinking design, and the food pairing suggestion (the post recommends somen champuru) all at once shows the brewery's strong communication style. As the final episode in the series, it is a beer whose concept is especially clear.
Information may be inaccurate. Please refer to the brewery’s official channels for the latest details.
Hop BroNews just in: THE KICHI, the brewery and cafe in Nikko, Tochigi, has teamed up with Wanabia for its first collaboration and released "Gekpo ~Moonwalk~"! It's the final beer in the animal beer project!
MugiWhoa, a first collab for the final round? That's way too exciting! And the name Gekpo sounds kind of like a movie!
Hop BroIt's a West Coast Pilsner with 5.6% ABV. The animal motif is a cheetah, so the idea of "speed" is expressed in the flavor. It's dry and light, but the hops are still bold.
MugiWhat is that? Is a West Coast Pilsner a pilsner? An IPA? Which camp does it belong to!?
Hop BroGood question. Roughly speaking, it's like combining the clean body of a crisp lager with the aroma and bitterness of West Coast hops. The recipe cuts back the sweet, heavy ale-like character and speeds things up with citrus, pine, and sharp bitterness.
MugiOhhh! So it's light, but still packs a punch! The cheetah concept really runs through the flavor!
Hop BroThe naming background is interesting too. THE KICHI often uses weather-related names, but this time they compared the wort in the brewing tank to a full moon and landed on "Moonwalk." And then there's even a Moonwalk story from head brewer Hosoda at the event the next day. Very stylish.
MugiThat's a lot of information! The tank is a full moon, the brewer is moonwalking, and I'm doing steps in my head!
Hop BroThe recommendation of somen champuru in the post is great too. Pairing a dry, crisp West Coast Pilsner with a dish that has oil and salt really makes the bitterness and aroma stand out.
MugiIt's decided! I want to eat somen champuru while drinking "Gekpo ~Moonwalk~"! Tonight I'm going to sprint toward THE KICHI in spirit, even if my body can't make it!
