Quartet Brewing in Karuizawa re-releases Andante ESB
Quartet Brewing, based in Karuizawa, Nagano, has brought back its Andante ESB. The English pale ale is described as a beer with black-tea and orange-jam notes, supported by toast and biscuit-like malt character.
Hop BroNews from Karuizawa worth opening a pint for: Quartet Brewing has re-released its core beer, Andante ESB.
MugiWait, Andante ESB already sounds classy! What kind of beer is it?
Hop BroIt’s an English pale ale, sitting at 5% ABV and 35 IBU. Not loud, not flashy, just built to ease into your afternoon.
MugiHold on, 35 IBU sounds like a math grade. Is that the report card for bitterness?
Hop BroPretty much. It’s a bitterness guide, and 35 means gentle bitterness instead of a full-on hop riot, so it works really well with food.
MugiOhhh! And the article says like orange jam, which somehow makes this beer sound like breakfast with better life choices!
Hop BroExactly, and then you get black-tea notes plus toast and biscuit-like malt. Basically, toasty grain character is the star here.
MugiWhat even is that? You keep saying malt, but what is malt? It sounds like a wizard boss!
Hop BroIt’s malted grain, the ingredient that brings those bready, biscuit-like flavors. In this ESB, it creates a calm, rounded finish.
MugiGot it, so this isn’t punch-you-in-the-face hops, it’s the slow wow kind. Perfect with food, and perfect for strolling around town!
Hop BroRight, and since Quartet has brewed everything from wheat beers to IPAs since 2020, this core-beer comeback feels legit. Now I want it at the Karuizawa taproom.
MugiSame, I’m officially thirsty now. I want a lazy Karuizawa afternoon ending with a toast of Andante ESB!
Quartet Brewing in Karuizawa, Nagano, has brought back its Andante ESB. On the brewery’s product page, the beer is listed as an English Pale Ale with 5% ABV and 35 IBU. Its flavor profile is described as resembling black tea with orange jam, layered with malt-driven toast and biscuit notes for a calm, easygoing drinking experience.
Quartet Brewing was founded in August 2020 and operates a taproom on Karuizawa Main Street. Since opening, the brewery has built a lineup of original beers that spans wheat beer, IPA, brown ale, stout, pilsner, and a blond ale made with elderflower. The range shows a clear balance between malt-forward beers and more aromatic, ingredient-driven releases.
Within that lineup, Andante ESB stands out as a beer centered on malt depth and gentle bitterness. In a place like Karuizawa, where beer often accompanies long walks, meals, and relaxed afternoons, that kind of balance makes sense. The brewery’s own wording suggests exactly that use case: a beer to enjoy during a relaxed afternoon.
For drinkers who enjoy classic malt character, Andante ESB is a useful reminder that not every standout beer needs aggressive hops or heavy intensity. Sometimes the appeal is in restraint, clarity, and a finish that invites another sip. If you are visiting Karuizawa, Quartet Brewing’s taproom is a natural place to catch this beer at its best.
Information may be inaccurate. Please refer to the brewery’s official channels for the latest details.
Hop BroNews from Karuizawa worth opening a pint for: Quartet Brewing has re-released its core beer, Andante ESB.
MugiWait, Andante ESB already sounds classy! What kind of beer is it?
Hop BroIt’s an English pale ale, sitting at 5% ABV and 35 IBU. Not loud, not flashy, just built to ease into your afternoon.
MugiHold on, 35 IBU sounds like a math grade. Is that the report card for bitterness?
Hop BroPretty much. It’s a bitterness guide, and 35 means gentle bitterness instead of a full-on hop riot, so it works really well with food.
MugiOhhh! And the article says like orange jam, which somehow makes this beer sound like breakfast with better life choices!
Hop BroExactly, and then you get black-tea notes plus toast and biscuit-like malt. Basically, toasty grain character is the star here.
MugiWhat even is that? You keep saying malt, but what is malt? It sounds like a wizard boss!
Hop BroIt’s malted grain, the ingredient that brings those bready, biscuit-like flavors. In this ESB, it creates a calm, rounded finish.
MugiGot it, so this isn’t punch-you-in-the-face hops, it’s the slow wow kind. Perfect with food, and perfect for strolling around town!
Hop BroRight, and since Quartet has brewed everything from wheat beers to IPAs since 2020, this core-beer comeback feels legit. Now I want it at the Karuizawa taproom.
MugiSame, I’m officially thirsty now. I want a lazy Karuizawa afternoon ending with a toast of Andante ESB!
