Bifuka Shirakaba Brewery Unveils “SAP” Hazy IPA Brewed with 100% Birch Sap
On Bifuka Shirakaba Brewery's official Instagram, the first release brewed with 100% birch sap, “SAP” Hazy IPA, was introduced. It's a beer that highlights aromas reminiscent of Bifuka's forests and the juicy citrus character from the hops, and can be enjoyed with dishes from the attached restaurant BSB.
Hop BroToday it's a new release brewed with 100% birch sap: Bifuka Shirakaba Brewery's “SAP” Hazy IPA. It feels like a spring brew, and I can already imagine that forest-like aroma.
MugiWait, beer brewed with birch sap!? What is that, drinking the forest!? That's a little too fantasy-like, isn't it?
Hop BroThat's what's interesting about it. “SAP” refers to tree sap, and since it's a Hazy IPA, it has that cloudy look and is designed to bring the aroma forward.
MugiOhhh! But why are Hazy IPAs so hazy? If it's cloudy, isn't that a failure?
Hop BroIt's not a failure; it's intentional. To keep the hop aroma and mouthfeel, they make it a cloudy, juicy body that makes the citrusy character easier to bring out.
MugiI see! So “SAP” brings both a juicy citrus character and a forest-like aroma. My brain is already saying it tastes good!
Hop BroThat's right. The post also describes it as having an aroma that reminiscent of Bifuka's forests, and that's what makes it feel like it carries the atmosphere of the place itself. Craft beer is the kind of thing where the story starts before you even take a sip.
MugiAnd the venue is a brewpub renovated from a 90-year-old red-brick warehouse, right? If you drank beer in a place like that, it would suddenly start looking all historical!
Hop BroExactly. At Restaurant BSB you can pair it with locally sourced lamb dishes, and if you bring a growler, you can take beer home too. Drinking it there and then continuing the experience at home is a strong appeal.
MugiWait, that's amazing! So you can pair it with food and then bring it home in a bottle. Beer can do a two-step like that? That's unfair!
Hop BroExactly. Because the local ingredients and character are neatly packed into one beer, this is the kind of release you want to drink when you find it. It makes you want to fly to Bifuka right now and toast with the whole forest.
MugiYeah, now I definitely want to drink it! I'm curious about everything, from the aroma to the flavor of SAP, and today it's the kind of beer that even makes me dream about the snacks too!
In a post on Bifuka Shirakaba Brewery's Instagram, the beer “SAP” was introduced as the first release in the brewery's annual spring brewing season, made with 100% birch sap. The style is Hazy IPA. The post described it as a beer that brings out aromas reminiscent of Bifuka's refreshing forests, along with the juicy citrus character derived from hops.
Restaurant BSB is a brewpub attached to Japan's northernmost craft beer brewery, renovated from a 90-year-old red-brick warehouse. In addition to house-brewed beer, the restaurant serves dishes made with locally sourced lamb. The official website notes that customers can take beer to go by bringing their own bottle (growler), and that rental bottles are also available, offering a way to enjoy the beer not only on-site but also at home.
What stands out first about this “SAP” release is that it is brewed with birch sap. The structure of a Hazy IPA, with its cloudy mouthfeel and hop aroma that emphasizes citrus notes, will likely catch the attention of beer fans who value aroma. Designed to capture the atmosphere of Bifuka itself in liquid form, it is a beer that strongly conveys the brewery's character.
Key points of the beer
- SAP: Hazy IPA brewed with 100% birch sap
- Features: An aroma reminiscent of Bifuka's forests, plus juicy citrus character from the hops
- How to enjoy it: With a meal at Restaurant BSB, or take it home in a growler
One of Bifuka Shirakaba Brewery's charms is that in Hokkaido's Bifuka, you can experience both local ingredients and the individuality of craft beer at the same time. Not only is it enjoyable to follow news of new releases, but drinking it with a meal makes the beer's character feel even more layered.
Information may be inaccurate. Please refer to the venue’s official channels for the latest details.
Hop BroToday it's a new release brewed with 100% birch sap: Bifuka Shirakaba Brewery's “SAP” Hazy IPA. It feels like a spring brew, and I can already imagine that forest-like aroma.
MugiWait, beer brewed with birch sap!? What is that, drinking the forest!? That's a little too fantasy-like, isn't it?
Hop BroThat's what's interesting about it. “SAP” refers to tree sap, and since it's a Hazy IPA, it has that cloudy look and is designed to bring the aroma forward.
MugiOhhh! But why are Hazy IPAs so hazy? If it's cloudy, isn't that a failure?
Hop BroIt's not a failure; it's intentional. To keep the hop aroma and mouthfeel, they make it a cloudy, juicy body that makes the citrusy character easier to bring out.
MugiI see! So “SAP” brings both a juicy citrus character and a forest-like aroma. My brain is already saying it tastes good!
Hop BroThat's right. The post also describes it as having an aroma that reminiscent of Bifuka's forests, and that's what makes it feel like it carries the atmosphere of the place itself. Craft beer is the kind of thing where the story starts before you even take a sip.
MugiAnd the venue is a brewpub renovated from a 90-year-old red-brick warehouse, right? If you drank beer in a place like that, it would suddenly start looking all historical!
Hop BroExactly. At Restaurant BSB you can pair it with locally sourced lamb dishes, and if you bring a growler, you can take beer home too. Drinking it there and then continuing the experience at home is a strong appeal.
MugiWait, that's amazing! So you can pair it with food and then bring it home in a bottle. Beer can do a two-step like that? That's unfair!
Hop BroExactly. Because the local ingredients and character are neatly packed into one beer, this is the kind of release you want to drink when you find it. It makes you want to fly to Bifuka right now and toast with the whole forest.
MugiYeah, now I definitely want to drink it! I'm curious about everything, from the aroma to the flavor of SAP, and today it's the kind of beer that even makes me dream about the snacks too!
