Novel Craft Brewing announces new 3.2% ABV micro IPA "Sweep"
Novel Craft Brewing in Suginami, Tokyo introduced its new beer, "Sweep," on Instagram. The style is micro IPA, with an ABV of 3.2%. The brewery also announced that it would remain open throughout Golden Week, with doors opening at 5:00 p.m.
Hop BroNovel Craft Brewing in Tokyo's Suginami ward has put out a new micro IPA called "Sweep". What's interesting is that even at just 3.2% ABV, the aroma really goes for it.
MugiWhoa! IPA at 3.2%? So it sounds light, but is it still properly bitter?
Hop BroExactly, that's the point. This batch uses a lot of dry hopping to really boost the aroma, and they also added hop oil for the first time, which makes a difference.
MugiWhat? Hop oil? You mean they're putting oil into beer? That sounds way too much like cooking.
Hop BroIt's less about adding richness and more like adding aromatic compounds. That's why the grapefruit aroma, piney notes, and hemp-like aroma come forward so clearly.
MugiWow. Just hearing that makes me feel like my nose is turning into beer. And it still keeps that IPA-like bitterness, right?
Hop BroRight. It has a lower ABV, so it's easy to keep drinking, but the aroma and bitterness are still very much IPA. In other words, it's aiming for a balance of being light on its feet but full of impact.
MugiWait, that's basically perfect! And the shop info says 17:00 Open, which is exactly the kind of thing that pulls you in after work!
Hop BroAnd on top of that, they're staying open through Golden Week, and the taps apparently had Looper and Fuzz on them too. Being able to enjoy mostly house beers is exactly what makes a brewery taproom special.
MugiThat's nice, being able to drop by casually during the holidays in Suginami. I can totally see myself going to drink Sweep and then wanting to hop between the other labels too!
Hop BroYeah, this is basically a beer you drink for the aroma. Seeing that hop expression in action makes me want to raise a glass at Novel Craft tonight.
MugiThat's settled then! I want to toast with 3.2%, too, and I want one that looks light but still packs a punch right now!
Novel Craft Brewing in Suginami, Tokyo introduced its new beer, "Sweep," on Instagram. It is a micro IPA with an alcohol content of 3.2%. It uses plenty of dry hopping, and for this batch, hop oil was added for the first time.
According to the post, the aroma profile leans toward strong notes reminiscent of grapefruit, pine, and hemp. While retaining the bitterness associated with IPA, the beer seems designed to be easy to keep drinking thanks to its lower ABV. It may look light on specs alone, but the defining feature this time is that the aroma is pushed firmly to the front.
At the same time, the brewery announced that it would open at 17:00 that day and remain open throughout the Golden Week holiday period. The tap list included labels from the brewery such as "Looper," "Sweep," "Fuzz," and "BPM 80," giving visitors a lineup centered on house beer. Given the Suginami location in Tokyo, the brewery was positioning both its holiday opening hours and the launch of a new release as reasons to stop by during the long weekend.
Information may be inaccurate. Please refer to the brewery’s official channels for the latest details.
Hop BroNovel Craft Brewing in Tokyo's Suginami ward has put out a new micro IPA called "Sweep". What's interesting is that even at just 3.2% ABV, the aroma really goes for it.
MugiWhoa! IPA at 3.2%? So it sounds light, but is it still properly bitter?
Hop BroExactly, that's the point. This batch uses a lot of dry hopping to really boost the aroma, and they also added hop oil for the first time, which makes a difference.
MugiWhat? Hop oil? You mean they're putting oil into beer? That sounds way too much like cooking.
Hop BroIt's less about adding richness and more like adding aromatic compounds. That's why the grapefruit aroma, piney notes, and hemp-like aroma come forward so clearly.
MugiWow. Just hearing that makes me feel like my nose is turning into beer. And it still keeps that IPA-like bitterness, right?
Hop BroRight. It has a lower ABV, so it's easy to keep drinking, but the aroma and bitterness are still very much IPA. In other words, it's aiming for a balance of being light on its feet but full of impact.
MugiWait, that's basically perfect! And the shop info says 17:00 Open, which is exactly the kind of thing that pulls you in after work!
Hop BroAnd on top of that, they're staying open through Golden Week, and the taps apparently had Looper and Fuzz on them too. Being able to enjoy mostly house beers is exactly what makes a brewery taproom special.
MugiThat's nice, being able to drop by casually during the holidays in Suginami. I can totally see myself going to drink Sweep and then wanting to hop between the other labels too!
Hop BroYeah, this is basically a beer you drink for the aroma. Seeing that hop expression in action makes me want to raise a glass at Novel Craft tonight.
MugiThat's settled then! I want to toast with 3.2%, too, and I want one that looks light but still packs a punch right now!
