HOP MAN in Chigasaki Adds Shonan Beer Helles on Tap
HOP MAN, a beer pub in Chigasaki, has tapped Shonan Beer’s Helles. The lager is presented as a revival of the brewery’s 1996 recipe, brewed with decoction mashing, Czech Saaz hops, and a long cold fermentation.
Hop BroToday’s topic is a fresh tap at HOP MAN. HOP MAN in Chigasaki has just put on Shonan Beer’s “Helles.”
MugiWhat! Shonan Beer’s Helles already sounds like something made for a seaside afternoon. What kind of beer is Helles?
Hop BroHelles is a southern German lager, a traditional style loved around Munich. It’s bright golden, smooth, and easy to drink without being flashy.
MugiOoh, so it’s perfect for the first pint. That sounds dangerously crushable!
Hop BroAnd this one is a revived classic Helles based on the style Shonan Beer first brewed back in 1996. Since the 25th anniversary revival in 2021, they’ve been brewing it about once a year.
MugiWait, so it comes with history too? But article said decoction brewing and my brain immediately filed that under wizard spells.
Hop BroHere’s the simple version: part of the mash gets boiled to bring out deeper malt character and a toasty edge. This batch recreates that with Pilsner malt plus a little Carahell malt.
MugiNo way, so that’s where the fresh-baked bread aroma comes from? Now I’m thirsty and hungry at the same time.
Hop BroOn top of that, the 2026 batch uses Czech Saaz hops and lager yeast for a gentle bitter finish. Slow, cool fermentation keeps the crisp malt sweetness really clean.
MugiWow, it sounds great with food too, which makes sense at HOP MAN with all those taps lined up. Not loud, just quietly irresistible.
Hop BroExactly. That calm, balanced drinkability makes it work as both the first glass and the dinner companion. A place pouring Helles like this is hard to leave.
MugiThat settles it. That golden Helles needs to be in my hand immediately. Preferably with me claiming the first sip... and the second one too!
New tap
HOP MAN, a beer pub in Tenmabaka, Chigasaki, has put Shonan Beer’s Helles on tap. The bar is known for serving about 30 rotating draft craft beers and also operates a bottle shop alongside the pub.
This Helles is based on a style first brewed by Shonan Beer in 1996. Since a commemorative revival for the brewery’s 25th anniversary in 2021, it has reportedly been brewed about once a year. It is a classic lager associated with the Munich area in southern Germany, and its name comes from the German word for “bright,” which matches its clear golden appearance.
The recipe blends pilsner malt with a small amount of Carahell malt and recreates the decoction method used at the time. For the 2026 batch, Czech Saaz hops and lager yeast were used, followed by a slow, cool fermentation. The result is said to bring aromas of freshly baked bread, crisp malt sweetness, and a gentle bitterness that finishes cleanly. It is not a beer built around loud aromatics, but rather a balanced, easy-drinking lager that should fit naturally at a venue like HOP MAN, where a wide range of taps is always available.
Information may be inaccurate. Please refer to the venue’s official channels for the latest details.
Hop BroToday’s topic is a fresh tap at HOP MAN. HOP MAN in Chigasaki has just put on Shonan Beer’s “Helles.”
MugiWhat! Shonan Beer’s Helles already sounds like something made for a seaside afternoon. What kind of beer is Helles?
Hop BroHelles is a southern German lager, a traditional style loved around Munich. It’s bright golden, smooth, and easy to drink without being flashy.
MugiOoh, so it’s perfect for the first pint. That sounds dangerously crushable!
Hop BroAnd this one is a revived classic Helles based on the style Shonan Beer first brewed back in 1996. Since the 25th anniversary revival in 2021, they’ve been brewing it about once a year.
MugiWait, so it comes with history too? But article said decoction brewing and my brain immediately filed that under wizard spells.
Hop BroHere’s the simple version: part of the mash gets boiled to bring out deeper malt character and a toasty edge. This batch recreates that with Pilsner malt plus a little Carahell malt.
MugiNo way, so that’s where the fresh-baked bread aroma comes from? Now I’m thirsty and hungry at the same time.
Hop BroOn top of that, the 2026 batch uses Czech Saaz hops and lager yeast for a gentle bitter finish. Slow, cool fermentation keeps the crisp malt sweetness really clean.
MugiWow, it sounds great with food too, which makes sense at HOP MAN with all those taps lined up. Not loud, just quietly irresistible.
Hop BroExactly. That calm, balanced drinkability makes it work as both the first glass and the dinner companion. A place pouring Helles like this is hard to leave.
MugiThat settles it. That golden Helles needs to be in my hand immediately. Preferably with me claiming the first sip... and the second one too!
