North Island Beer Releases Limited-Edition "Haruyoi" Beer to Savor Hokkaido's Late Spring
North Island Beer in Ebetsu, Hokkaido, is releasing its spring-only beer "Haruyoi." Based on Helles, it brings out the richness of Munich malt and the gentle aroma of hops, making it a beer that fits the calm of the season.
Hop BroToday I want to introduce North Island Beer’s Haruyoi. It’s a seasonal beer from the brewery in Ebetsu, Hokkaido, made for the region’s late spring.
MugiWhat! A spring-only beer already sounds like it makes you want to go hanami. And Hokkaido’s spring comes a little slowly, right?
Hop BroExactly, that’s the key point. It’s built around the concept of leisurely enjoying Hokkaido’s late spring, and the 2026 version even comes with a bottle design featuring cherry blossoms.
MugiWow, the look is spring all the way too! So, what is Helles beer? It sounds like a stylish spell!
Hop BroHelles is a German lager, and its hallmark is a gentle richness with a clean finish. Haruyoi uses that strength, so it ends up being something you can drink smoothly without being too flashy.
MugiSmoothly sounds so gentle! But when I hear Munich malt, it suddenly feels like a science experiment and I get confused!
Hop BroHaha, basically it’s malt. It has a solid malt richness, and that’s layered with the soft aroma of hops, so when you drink it, it settles in with a gentle, calming feel.
MugiOhhh! And the hops are Nugget and Tettnanger. Those names already sound like a band in the beer world!
Hop BroIt also has a floral note from Spalter, so it doesn’t end up as just an easy-drinking lager. At 5.0% ABV and 18 IBU, it’s light, but the fact that it still tastes genuinely good is one of its best points.
MugiI see, it sounds perfect for hanami or a picnic! It feels like a beer you’ll want to sip slowly, and now I really want to open one right away!
Hop BroThe release date is March 20, 2026, so make sure to mark it down. North Island Beer’s Haruyoi is definitely one I want to drink together with the spring air itself.
MugiYeah, yeah! If I can feel Hokkaido’s spring in one glass, then I’m already in the mood for beer today!
North Island Beer is a brewery based in Ebetsu, Hokkaido. Starting from the brewer's "Beer is Art" philosophy learned in Canada, it offers a lineup that includes standard beers as well as seasonal and limited-brew releases. It is also actively committed to brewing beers that make use of local Ebetsu ingredients, and its approach of folding Hokkaido's seasonal character directly into beer is especially striking.
The featured beer, "Haruyoi," is a seasonal release conceived as a way to leisurely enjoy Hokkaido's late spring. The 2026 version comes in a bottle design decorated with cherry blossoms, evoking spring. The style is Helles beer, with an alcohol content of 5.0% and an IBU of 18. Using Nugget, Tettnanger, and Audacia hops, it combines the richness of Munich malt with a gentle aroma centered on noble hops, along with floral nuances from Spalter.
Helles is a style known for its clean, lager-like drinkability and soft malt character. Haruyoi makes the most of those qualities, shaping itself not around a strong statement but around slow moments like cherry-blossom viewing and picnics. It is a beer that expresses Hokkaido's spring, where the changing seasons arrive slowly, through a calm drinking experience rather than flashiness. The release date is March 20, 2026.
Information may be inaccurate. Please refer to the brewery’s official channels for the latest details.
Hop BroToday I want to introduce North Island Beer’s Haruyoi. It’s a seasonal beer from the brewery in Ebetsu, Hokkaido, made for the region’s late spring.
MugiWhat! A spring-only beer already sounds like it makes you want to go hanami. And Hokkaido’s spring comes a little slowly, right?
Hop BroExactly, that’s the key point. It’s built around the concept of leisurely enjoying Hokkaido’s late spring, and the 2026 version even comes with a bottle design featuring cherry blossoms.
MugiWow, the look is spring all the way too! So, what is Helles beer? It sounds like a stylish spell!
Hop BroHelles is a German lager, and its hallmark is a gentle richness with a clean finish. Haruyoi uses that strength, so it ends up being something you can drink smoothly without being too flashy.
MugiSmoothly sounds so gentle! But when I hear Munich malt, it suddenly feels like a science experiment and I get confused!
Hop BroHaha, basically it’s malt. It has a solid malt richness, and that’s layered with the soft aroma of hops, so when you drink it, it settles in with a gentle, calming feel.
MugiOhhh! And the hops are Nugget and Tettnanger. Those names already sound like a band in the beer world!
Hop BroIt also has a floral note from Spalter, so it doesn’t end up as just an easy-drinking lager. At 5.0% ABV and 18 IBU, it’s light, but the fact that it still tastes genuinely good is one of its best points.
MugiI see, it sounds perfect for hanami or a picnic! It feels like a beer you’ll want to sip slowly, and now I really want to open one right away!
Hop BroThe release date is March 20, 2026, so make sure to mark it down. North Island Beer’s Haruyoi is definitely one I want to drink together with the spring air itself.
MugiYeah, yeah! If I can feel Hokkaido’s spring in one glass, then I’m already in the mood for beer today!
