Nara Brewing, which brews craft beer in Nara City, has announced the initial shipment destinations for its fruit sour ale "STUDY IN ROUGE." This limited release reflects the brand's character, and shipments to liquor retailers are being rolled out sequentially as of April 11.

A Sweet-and-Tart Sour Ale Painted With Raspberry and Vanilla

"STUDY IN ROUGE" is a fruit sour ale made with raspberry and vanilla. According to Nara Brewing, the goal was to create a beer with depth by layering not only flavor but also aroma with sweet-and-tart notes. When poured into a glass, it takes on a pale pink hue, and the aroma combines the fragrance of raspberry with the soft sweetness of vanilla.

Specs are ABV 6.0% and IBU 8. The hops used are Merkur; the malts are Pale Ale Malt, Munich Malt Type 1, Wheat Malt Pale, and Acidulated Malt; and as other ingredients, Framboise and Vanilla are added. The color is described as Rose Gold, a design that evokes fruitiness even from its appearance.

Initial Shipment Destinations Include Liquor Retailers Nationwide

The initial shipment destinations include liquor stores and department stores in Tokyo, Kanagawa, Nagano, Shizuoka, Aichi, Kyoto, Osaka, Hyogo, Nara, Shimane, and Okayama. Within Nara Prefecture, it will be available at places such as Nishi no Kyo Jizake-dokoro Kitora, Kintetsu Department Store Nara Branch Yamatoji, Higashikawa Sake Shop, Tatematsu Sake Shop, and Sake no Abetaya.

Sales on the online store are scheduled to begin at noon on Friday, April 17. Nara Brewing says that arrival dates and sales status vary by store, so if you are considering a purchase, it is necessary to check in advance.

As a brewery based in Nara City, Nara Brewing puts effort not only into flavor design but also into expression that includes appearance and aroma. This "STUDY IN ROUGE" is also finished as a beer that can be enjoyed together with its spring-like color, combining fruit-derived acidity with sweet vanilla nuances.