Craft Bank introduces LAB COAT, its first collaboration with Kyoto Beer Lab
Craft Bank, based in Fukuchiyama, Kyoto, has introduced LAB COAT, its first collaboration beer with Kyoto Beer Lab. Brewed with shaded tea from Wazuka, the 4.5% grisette is built around a dry, light body and a soft tea finish.
Hop BroI’ve got a Kyoto beer story for you today. Craft Bank just did its first collab with KYOTO BEER LAB, and "LAB COAT" sounds seriously worth a pour.
MugiWait, that name already sounds like a science lab! A first collaboration beer is enough to hook me, but what kind of beer is it?
Hop BroThe style is Shaded Tea Grisette. It’s 4.5% ABV, brewed with kabusecha from Wazuka, and it’s built to be light and dry with a layered tea umami.
MugiHold on, what is a grisette!? The name is stylish, the flavor sounds stylish, and my brain is not keeping up!
Hop BroA grisette is basically a light, dry Belgian-style beer. It goes down easily, so tea-like character can sit on top without the whole thing getting heavy.
MugiOhhh! And “LAB COAT” literally means a white coat, right? Now I’m dying to know the story behind the name.
Hop BroThat part is great too. Craft Bank’s new brewer, Kato, is also a psychiatrist and learned brewing at KYOTO BEER LAB, so the name reflects that white-coat connection.
MugiWhat even is that career path? Too strong. But I can tell from your face you want to start talking ingredients now. Is Belle Saison yeast about to enter the chat?
Hop BroCompletely called out. Belle Saison yeast drives the dryness, then pilsner and spelt malts meet Saaz hops, and it all lands in a cold-tea finish that’s the real trick here.
MugiA beer that finishes like chilled tea sounds like a summer reward. And the fact that it comes from an old bank building in Fukuchiyama just makes it better. Packed with Kyoto character.
Hop BroExactly. It feels like you’re drinking the ingredients, the learning, and the relationship between both breweries all at once. This is a drink-it-right-now beer for me.
MugiSame here. I need to taste that green tea freshness and dry finish for myself. One LAB COAT, please!
Craft Bank, the brewery operating from a former bank site in Fukuchiyama, Kyoto, has unveiled LAB COAT, a new collaboration with Kyoto Beer Lab. The beer name reflects a personal connection as well: Craft Bank’s new brewer, Kato, who is also a psychiatrist, learned brewing at Kyoto Beer Lab.
LAB COAT is a Shaded Tea Grisette with 4.5% ABV. It is brewed with malt, wheat malt, kabusecha, and hops, using Pilsner Malt, Spelt Malt, and Saaz. The featured ingredient is kabusecha from Wazuka Town in Kyoto, the same tea used in Kyoto Beer Lab’s regular beer.
The recipe points toward a clear drinking profile. Belle Saison yeast and the lower alcohol level create a dry, crisp impression first, then the tea brings soft umami and a green, fresh character. The result is meant to leave a cool, tea-like aftertaste, which fits the still-hot Japanese season.
Craft Bank also runs a restaurant and beer space at its former bank location in Minamimachi, Fukuchiyama, where beer and food are served together. This release brings together Kyoto ingredients, brewing study, and a local collaboration story in one beer.
Reference: LAB COAT / CRAFT BANK official
Information may be inaccurate. Please refer to the brewery’s official channels for the latest details.
Hop BroI’ve got a Kyoto beer story for you today. Craft Bank just did its first collab with KYOTO BEER LAB, and "LAB COAT" sounds seriously worth a pour.
MugiWait, that name already sounds like a science lab! A first collaboration beer is enough to hook me, but what kind of beer is it?
Hop BroThe style is Shaded Tea Grisette. It’s 4.5% ABV, brewed with kabusecha from Wazuka, and it’s built to be light and dry with a layered tea umami.
MugiHold on, what is a grisette!? The name is stylish, the flavor sounds stylish, and my brain is not keeping up!
Hop BroA grisette is basically a light, dry Belgian-style beer. It goes down easily, so tea-like character can sit on top without the whole thing getting heavy.
MugiOhhh! And “LAB COAT” literally means a white coat, right? Now I’m dying to know the story behind the name.
Hop BroThat part is great too. Craft Bank’s new brewer, Kato, is also a psychiatrist and learned brewing at KYOTO BEER LAB, so the name reflects that white-coat connection.
MugiWhat even is that career path? Too strong. But I can tell from your face you want to start talking ingredients now. Is Belle Saison yeast about to enter the chat?
Hop BroCompletely called out. Belle Saison yeast drives the dryness, then pilsner and spelt malts meet Saaz hops, and it all lands in a cold-tea finish that’s the real trick here.
MugiA beer that finishes like chilled tea sounds like a summer reward. And the fact that it comes from an old bank building in Fukuchiyama just makes it better. Packed with Kyoto character.
Hop BroExactly. It feels like you’re drinking the ingredients, the learning, and the relationship between both breweries all at once. This is a drink-it-right-now beer for me.
MugiSame here. I need to taste that green tea freshness and dry finish for myself. One LAB COAT, please!
