Setouchi Brewery Launches 'FLOAT,' the First Release in Its New Hop-Focused Series 'WAVE'
Setouchi Brewery in Takamatsu, Kagawa Prefecture, has launched two new series, 'ISLAND' and 'WAVE.' The first release in the WAVE series, 'FLOAT,' is a DDH IPA that puts the hop character front and center, with the bright aroma of Mosaic-type hops and layered bitterness as its defining features.
Hop BroToday, the new series from Setouchi Brewery in Takamatsu, Kagawa Prefecture is hot. They launched ISLAND and WAVE, and the first release is 'FLOAT.'
MugiWhoa! Two series starting at the same time!? And the first one is 'FLOAT' too, a name that already sounds like it’s floating along!
Hop BroFLOAT is a DDH IPA, and it’s 6.5% ABV. It puts the hops forward while keeping a medium body with malt sweetness, and that balance is really well done.
MugiWhat even is DDH! I get that it means doing something twice, but does dry hopping twice really matter that much?
Hop BroIt does, and that’s what makes it interesting. By doing it twice at different temperatures, the first round draws out the fruitiness, and the second adds a layer of plant-like character.
MugiOhhh! So the first sip brings pineapple, peach, and lychee, and then a piney aftertaste follows behind?
Hop BroExactly. It uses Mosaic Cryo, Strata CGX, and Simcoe, so the brightness of Mosaic-style hops and the layered bitterness really stand out.
MugiThat sounds like enough to fill you up just from the name! But layered bitterness means it’s not just simply bitter, right?
Hop BroThat’s right. It has the sharpness you want in an IPA, but the sweetness and aroma support it, so the bitterness feels dimensional.
MugiThe contrast between Setouchi’s calm scenery and the assertive hop character is great! I want to go drink this for that Seto Inland wave feeling!
Hop BroTotally. The WAVE series is a project for digging into hop character, so I’m excited for what comes next. Now I’m in the mood to drink FLOAT already.
Launching the New Series
Setouchi Brewery has newly started two series, 'ISLAND' and 'WAVE.' The brewery is based in Takamatsu, Kagawa Prefecture, a place that has long fostered a way of life and culture closely connected to the Seto Inland Sea. These series can be seen as an expression of the landscapes and atmosphere of the Seto Inland region, translated into beer design.
'FLOAT' Is the First Release in the WAVE Series
The WAVE series is envisioned as a lineup of beers focused on hops. The first release is 'FLOAT.' It is a DDH IPA with an alcohol content of 6.5%. Using Mosaic Cryo, Strata CGX, and Simcoe hops, it delivers the sharp bitterness typical of IPA while finishing as a medium-bodied beer with a malt sweetness.
What stands out is the dry hopping, which was done twice at different temperature ranges. In the first round, it draws out bright fruit notes like pineapple, peach, and lychee. In the second, it layers in piney, dank, and grassy impressions. The design lets you enjoy not just one face of the hops, but the way they change over time.
Expressing the Seto Inland Feel Through Hops
While emphasizing its local roots, Setouchi Brewery has continued to express the charms of the Seto Inland region through beer. This new WAVE series is an extension of that approach. Against the backdrop of the calm Seto Inland scenery, the beer itself still makes you feel the full force of hops. That contrast appears to be the aim of the series.
'FLOAT' looks set to be a beer that signals the direction of the series for anyone who wants the aroma of hops to take the lead. It will be worth watching to see what hop character the WAVE series explores next.
Information may be inaccurate. Please refer to the brewery’s official channels for the latest details.
Hop BroToday, the new series from Setouchi Brewery in Takamatsu, Kagawa Prefecture is hot. They launched ISLAND and WAVE, and the first release is 'FLOAT.'
MugiWhoa! Two series starting at the same time!? And the first one is 'FLOAT' too, a name that already sounds like it’s floating along!
Hop BroFLOAT is a DDH IPA, and it’s 6.5% ABV. It puts the hops forward while keeping a medium body with malt sweetness, and that balance is really well done.
MugiWhat even is DDH! I get that it means doing something twice, but does dry hopping twice really matter that much?
Hop BroIt does, and that’s what makes it interesting. By doing it twice at different temperatures, the first round draws out the fruitiness, and the second adds a layer of plant-like character.
MugiOhhh! So the first sip brings pineapple, peach, and lychee, and then a piney aftertaste follows behind?
Hop BroExactly. It uses Mosaic Cryo, Strata CGX, and Simcoe, so the brightness of Mosaic-style hops and the layered bitterness really stand out.
MugiThat sounds like enough to fill you up just from the name! But layered bitterness means it’s not just simply bitter, right?
Hop BroThat’s right. It has the sharpness you want in an IPA, but the sweetness and aroma support it, so the bitterness feels dimensional.
MugiThe contrast between Setouchi’s calm scenery and the assertive hop character is great! I want to go drink this for that Seto Inland wave feeling!
Hop BroTotally. The WAVE series is a project for digging into hop character, so I’m excited for what comes next. Now I’m in the mood to drink FLOAT already.
