Hop Kotan Brewing Announces New Cold IPA "Seiran"; Rollout Begins Sequentially From This Weekend
Hop Kotan Brewing in Kamifurano, Hokkaido, announced its new beer "Seiran" on Instagram on March 12, 2026. The style is Cold IPA, with an ABV of 7.0% and an IBU of 65. Distribution and sales are expected to begin at restaurants, liquor shops, and the brewery's own stores nationwide as early as this weekend.
Hop BroToday's highlight is "Seiran," the new beer announced on March 12, 2026 by Hop Kotan Brewing in Kamifurano, Hokkaido! It's a Cold IPA.
MugiWhoa! Even the name sounds cool! "Seiran" already feels like a wind is blowing through it!
Hop BroThe specs are bold too: ABV 7.0% and IBU 65. It's the latest release in the limited "FREEDOMS" series, and it's designed with a blue citrus aroma, a resinous character, and bitterness that lingers afterward.
MugiWhat is that! IBU and resinous character? Did science class suddenly start?!
Hop BroIBU is a measure of bitterness, and 65 means it's definitely on the bitter side. "Resinous character" refers to a pine sap-like, foresty aroma. Cold IPA tends to come out crisp, and this "Seiran" stands out for using corn starch to keep the body light.
MugiOhhh! Corn starch just makes me think of fried chicken batter!
Hop BroThat's a great image. In beer, it helps make the mouthfeel lighter so the hops can shine. And with Chinook, Ekuanot, and Nelson Sauvin as the three hops, it even draws out blue citrus, pine, and a damp-forest feel. It's basically "mountain air."
MugiWow, I can see the scenery! It already feels like a hike before I even drink it!
Hop BroIf all goes as planned, it should start rolling out as early as this weekend at restaurants and liquor shops nationwide, and at the brewery's own Beer Kotan locations. There's also an announcement that it'll appear at the "Keyaki Hiroba Spring Beer Festival" from May 13 to 17.
MugiSo I should look for it this weekend, and then chase Seiran again at the festival in May? My schedule is starting to revolve around beer!
Hop BroExactly. The experience goes like this: first sip, blue citrus; second sip, forest; then a gentle bitterness at the end that leaves you grinning. Let's go taste it for ourselves.
MugiIt's decided! After reading this article, I can't help it - I want to drink "Seiran" right now!
New release is a Cold IPA meant to evoke "mountain air"
Hop Kotan Brewing (Hokkaido) announced its new beer "Seiran" in a post at 15:53 on March 12, 2026. The brand category is the limited series "FREEDOMS," and the style is Cold IPA. The main publicly available specs are as follows.
- Product name: Seiran
- Style: Cold IPA
- ABV: 7.0%
- IBU: 65
- Ingredients: Malt (produced outside Japan), hops, corn starch
The post describes the beer as featuring an initial aroma of blue citrus, a resinous character reminiscent of pine sap and a damp forest, and bitterness that lingers gradually into the finish. The hops used are Chinook, Ekuanot, and Nelson Sauvin, and the recipe is designed with corn starch to keep the body light.
Sales timing and event appearance information
According to the announcement, "Seiran" will begin rolling out nationwide at restaurants and liquor shops as early as this weekend. The brewery's own Beer Kotan locations are also scheduled to start serving the new release that same weekend.
The post also announced an appearance at the "Keyaki Hiroba Spring Beer Festival." The event will run from May 13 to 17 at Keyaki Hiroba in Saitama Shintoshin. Attention is likely to focus on the lineup, including the new release.
Brewery context
Hop Kotan Brewing is based in Kamifurano and continues to brew with hop character at the center of its approach. On its official website, it offers the regular "ORIGINALS" series made with 100% Kamifurano-grown hops, as well as the more experimental limited "FREEDOMS" lineup. "Seiran" is positioned as the latest addition to the latter.
Information may be inaccurate. Please refer to the brewery’s official channels for the latest details.
Hop BroToday's highlight is "Seiran," the new beer announced on March 12, 2026 by Hop Kotan Brewing in Kamifurano, Hokkaido! It's a Cold IPA.
MugiWhoa! Even the name sounds cool! "Seiran" already feels like a wind is blowing through it!
Hop BroThe specs are bold too: ABV 7.0% and IBU 65. It's the latest release in the limited "FREEDOMS" series, and it's designed with a blue citrus aroma, a resinous character, and bitterness that lingers afterward.
MugiWhat is that! IBU and resinous character? Did science class suddenly start?!
Hop BroIBU is a measure of bitterness, and 65 means it's definitely on the bitter side. "Resinous character" refers to a pine sap-like, foresty aroma. Cold IPA tends to come out crisp, and this "Seiran" stands out for using corn starch to keep the body light.
MugiOhhh! Corn starch just makes me think of fried chicken batter!
Hop BroThat's a great image. In beer, it helps make the mouthfeel lighter so the hops can shine. And with Chinook, Ekuanot, and Nelson Sauvin as the three hops, it even draws out blue citrus, pine, and a damp-forest feel. It's basically "mountain air."
MugiWow, I can see the scenery! It already feels like a hike before I even drink it!
Hop BroIf all goes as planned, it should start rolling out as early as this weekend at restaurants and liquor shops nationwide, and at the brewery's own Beer Kotan locations. There's also an announcement that it'll appear at the "Keyaki Hiroba Spring Beer Festival" from May 13 to 17.
MugiSo I should look for it this weekend, and then chase Seiran again at the festival in May? My schedule is starting to revolve around beer!
Hop BroExactly. The experience goes like this: first sip, blue citrus; second sip, forest; then a gentle bitterness at the end that leaves you grinning. Let's go taste it for ourselves.
MugiIt's decided! After reading this article, I can't help it - I want to drink "Seiran" right now!
