The sixth release in the Hanafuda series

TWO RABBITS BREWING COMPANY has launched a 2026 special project that uses Hanafuda cards on the label and expresses familiar Japanese ingredients month by month. The sixth installment is KöLSCH WITH SUIKA, a beer themed around the June Hanafuda card Hagi ni Inoshishi and built around one of summer’s most recognizable ingredients: watermelon.

At its core, the beer is a traditional German-style Kölsch. The brewery layers in watermelon character while keeping the malt-driven body light and the finish sharp. Huell Melon hops add a fresh, juicy aroma that carries through to a clean, refreshing aftertaste. Chilled well, the beer is designed to show its best side, emphasizing drinkability and a crisp sense of relief in the heat.

The beer is available in two formats: a 360ml can for JPY 688 and a 6-pack for JPY 4,128. The brewery positions it as a seasonal beer you can reach for again and again, which makes sense for a style built on clarity, freshness, and balance.

Based in Omihachiman, Shiga, TWO RABBITS draws on both European brewing tradition and the pioneering spirit of brewers from Australia, New Zealand, and the United States. The brewery also uses locally rooted ingredients such as wheat from the Omi Hachiman area, alongside a wide range of other materials, while keeping its focus on beers that are approachable but still full of character.

KöLSCH WITH SUIKA fits that approach well. It brings a distinct seasonal idea into a familiar and highly drinkable style, creating a beer that works both as a standalone refreshment and as a food-friendly option. For the hotter months ahead, it looks like a straightforward but well-judged summer release.