Bighand Bros. Beer Releases Charoite, a Berry-Focused Fruited Sour
Kyoto-based Bighand Bros. Beer has announced Charoite, a fruited sour ale made with blackberry, strawberry, and blackcurrant. Finished with Earl Grey tea as a subtle accent, the 6.0% ABV beer combines ripe berry aromatics, gentle acidity, and juicy fruit character in a low-bitterness package.
Hop BroBig Hand Bros Brewery in Nishijin, Kyoto has released a three-berry newcomer called Charoite.
MugiWhat? Blackberry, strawberry, and cassis too? That is a berry-packed beer!
Hop BroExactly. It is a Fruited Sour, or a fruit-forward sour ale, built around juicy, ripe berry character.
MugiDoes “sour” mean so tart my face turns into a plum? Cheek-pucker alert?
Hop BroNo need to worry. Rather than pushing sharp acidity, it aims for a gentle sour finish that lets the fruit’s sweetness shine.
MugiOoh, and Earl Grey is a secret ingredient? Tea in the beer is suddenly very elegant!
Hop BroIts bergamot aroma gives the berries extra depth. Bergamot is a bright, citrus-like supporting aroma star.
MugiThen even I might like it, since bitterness is not my thing. What are the bitterness numbers?
Hop BroIt is 6.0% ABV and 7 IBU. IBU measures bitterness, and this is deliberately low bitterness, so the fruit aroma leads.
MugiCarefully brewed underground in Nishijin, with a mineral-inspired name too. This gem-like glass of beer belongs with fresh cheese after dinner!
Hop BroServe it cold for refreshment, or let it warm slightly for more berry aroma. It really makes you want a Charoite toast tonight.
MugiDone! Let’s taste that bright berry-and-tea combination. Let’s go drink one!
Three berries at the center
Bighand Bros. Beer’s new Charoite is a Fruited Sour brewed with blackberry, strawberry, and blackcurrant. The combination brings a vivid aroma of ripe berries and a juicy fruit profile to the glass.
The palate opens with expressive berry flavor before moving into soft acidity. Rather than emphasizing a sharp sourness, the beer is designed to preserve the rounded, fruit-forward character of the ingredients.
Earl Grey tea leaves were added as a hidden accent. Their citrusy, bergamot-like aroma adds another layer to the berry profile, giving Charoite more depth than a straightforward fruit beer.
Charoite is listed at 6.0% ABV and 7 IBU. With bitterness kept low, the beer is aimed at drinkers who prefer fruit aroma and acidity to a pronounced hop character. The brewery also presents it as an approachable choice for people who do not usually drink beer.
A Kyoto brewery inspired by minerals
Bighand Bros. Beer is based in Nishijin, Kyoto, where it produces beer in small batches with a careful, hands-on approach. Its range is rooted in classic British styles while also incorporating modern American ales and lager styles.
The brewery names its beers after minerals and gemstones, describing them as precious discoveries unearthed by its “beer geek mole brothers.” Charoite follows that naming tradition, pairing a colorful, berry-led profile with an unusual tea accent.
Serve it well chilled for a crisp expression of the acidity, or allow it to warm slightly to bring out the layered berry and Earl Grey aromas. Its fruit-forward character should also work well with tangy dishes, fresh cheese, or as a refreshing after-dinner pour.
Information may be inaccurate. Please refer to the brewery’s official channels for the latest details.
Hop BroBig Hand Bros Brewery in Nishijin, Kyoto has released a three-berry newcomer called Charoite.
MugiWhat? Blackberry, strawberry, and cassis too? That is a berry-packed beer!
Hop BroExactly. It is a Fruited Sour, or a fruit-forward sour ale, built around juicy, ripe berry character.
MugiDoes “sour” mean so tart my face turns into a plum? Cheek-pucker alert?
Hop BroNo need to worry. Rather than pushing sharp acidity, it aims for a gentle sour finish that lets the fruit’s sweetness shine.
MugiOoh, and Earl Grey is a secret ingredient? Tea in the beer is suddenly very elegant!
Hop BroIts bergamot aroma gives the berries extra depth. Bergamot is a bright, citrus-like supporting aroma star.
MugiThen even I might like it, since bitterness is not my thing. What are the bitterness numbers?
Hop BroIt is 6.0% ABV and 7 IBU. IBU measures bitterness, and this is deliberately low bitterness, so the fruit aroma leads.
MugiCarefully brewed underground in Nishijin, with a mineral-inspired name too. This gem-like glass of beer belongs with fresh cheese after dinner!
Hop BroServe it cold for refreshment, or let it warm slightly for more berry aroma. It really makes you want a Charoite toast tonight.
MugiDone! Let’s taste that bright berry-and-tea combination. Let’s go drink one!
