Sakazuki Lab Continues Its March Monthly Keg Rotation, Suggesting Flavor Differences by Glassware
Sakazuki Lab in Tokyo announced in a March 6 post that it would continue the "monthly keg rotation" event that began on March 5. This time, the focus is not on different pours, but on different glasses. The shop is offering an in-store experience that shows how the aroma and flavor impression of the same beer can change.
Hop BroToday's topic is Tokyo's Sakazuki Lab! They're continuing to promote the "monthly keg rotation" that started on March 5 with a March 6 post.
MugiHuh! It's already started, and they're doing another follow-up announcement? That's a lot of energy!
Hop BroWhat's interesting this time is that the focus isn't different pours, but different glasses. It's an experimental event that lets people enjoy how the aroma and flavor of the same beer change.
MugiWhat? Just changing the glass makes that much of a difference? Is it a magic cup?
Hop BroNot magic, design. The theme is "A Lab-style proposal for enjoying NB (national brand beer)," and the name of the March selection is only being revealed in-store, with the clue given as "the northern land."
MugiIt's like a treasure hunt! But what does "Hochkurz brewing method" mean? Is that a spell?
Hop BroGood question. The Hochkurz method is, roughly speaking, a brewing style that brings out the malt's flavor strongly and creates body. With the freshness of hops on top of that, the way the aroma rises changes dramatically depending on the shape of the glass.
MugiOhhh! Even though it's the same beer, it splits into a "rich and malty" character and a "fresh and bright" character. That's a beer with a split personality!
Hop BroAnd the food includes strawberry and dill pickles, vegetable sticks with meat miso mayo, and beef tongue with udo. It's designed to match aroma and aftertaste too, and for the March 20-22 10th anniversary event, they're also previewing a tie-in with the sister shop Sakazuki Brewing.
MugiThis is something I have to try! I want to compare them by changing the glass, pair them with snacks, and then try to guess what "the northern land" is in the end!
Tokyo's Sakazuki Lab updated its March plans in an Instagram post, "Continuing! / "Monthly Keg Rotation" Event!". The post says the shop will continue the monthly keg rotation project, which began the day before, starting when it opens at 5:00 p.m. on Friday, March 6.
This time's theme is "A Lab-style proposal for enjoying NB (national brand beer)." The beer name itself is not disclosed in the post, and while the March selection is said to be announced in-store, it comes with the hint "the northern land." What the operators are especially emphasizing is not a difference in pouring, but the way flavor changes depending on the shape of the glass. In the post, they highlight a beer that combines the richness derived from the Hochkurz brewing method with the refreshing character of hops, and note that changing the glass makes a dramatic difference in how it is perceived.
On the food side, they suggest weekend snacks designed with aroma and aftertaste in mind, including strawberry and dill pickles, vegetable sticks with meat miso mayonnaise, and beef tongue with udo. The experience is designed not only around the beer itself, but also around how it feels alongside the food.
For the second half of March, they also preview a "Sakazuki 10th Anniversary Event" from Thursday, March 20 (holiday) through Sunday, March 22. The post also mentions information from the sister shop Sakazuki Brewing, with plans for joint openings and pairing events across the two locations. Sakazuki Lab is based in Tokyo and presents an experimental stance even in its profile by identifying itself as a "Lab = Laboratory," so this glass-comparison proposal seems to fit that context well.
Information may be inaccurate. Please refer to the brewery’s official channels for the latest details.
Hop BroToday's topic is Tokyo's Sakazuki Lab! They're continuing to promote the "monthly keg rotation" that started on March 5 with a March 6 post.
MugiHuh! It's already started, and they're doing another follow-up announcement? That's a lot of energy!
Hop BroWhat's interesting this time is that the focus isn't different pours, but different glasses. It's an experimental event that lets people enjoy how the aroma and flavor of the same beer change.
MugiWhat? Just changing the glass makes that much of a difference? Is it a magic cup?
Hop BroNot magic, design. The theme is "A Lab-style proposal for enjoying NB (national brand beer)," and the name of the March selection is only being revealed in-store, with the clue given as "the northern land."
MugiIt's like a treasure hunt! But what does "Hochkurz brewing method" mean? Is that a spell?
Hop BroGood question. The Hochkurz method is, roughly speaking, a brewing style that brings out the malt's flavor strongly and creates body. With the freshness of hops on top of that, the way the aroma rises changes dramatically depending on the shape of the glass.
MugiOhhh! Even though it's the same beer, it splits into a "rich and malty" character and a "fresh and bright" character. That's a beer with a split personality!
Hop BroAnd the food includes strawberry and dill pickles, vegetable sticks with meat miso mayo, and beef tongue with udo. It's designed to match aroma and aftertaste too, and for the March 20-22 10th anniversary event, they're also previewing a tie-in with the sister shop Sakazuki Brewing.
MugiThis is something I have to try! I want to compare them by changing the glass, pair them with snacks, and then try to guess what "the northern land" is in the end!
