Kyoto Brewing releases new "Irotoridori," a fruit-scented NZ Pilsner
On March 19, 2026, Kyoto Brewing announced its new product, "Irotoridori Passion Fruit Pils Edition." It is crafted into a light, easy-drinking beer that combines tropical aromas from NZ hops with the gentle tartness of passion fruit juice.
Hop BroToday’s Kyoto news! Kyoto Brewing’s new release "Irotoridori Passion Fruit Pils Edition" is here.
MugiWhoa! It sounds cute and delicious just from the name! What’s a fruit-scented pilsner like?
Hop BroThe style is NZ Pilsner with passion fruit, with an ABV of 4.5%, IBU 35, and a tax-included price of 690 yen. It’s designed to be light and easy to drink.
MugiOhh! But wait, what does IBU 35 mean? Once the numbers show up, it suddenly feels like science class!
Hop BroIBU is a guide to bitterness, and 35 gives you the impression of a nicely balanced crisp finish. Plus, with 2.7 volumes of carbonation, it’s bright and refreshing.
MugiWhat is that! Fizz is justice! And those whirlpool and dry hop terms in the article sound like spells!
Hop BroThat’s where the craftsmanship comes in: NZ Cascade in the boil, Kohia and Nelson in the whirlpool, and then layered again in the dry hop for a three-stage hop design.
MugiThree stages sounds like a specialty ramen broth! So the aroma is that mango and guava tone they mentioned?
Hop BroExactly. On top of that, they combine it with two kinds of passion fruit juice during fermentation, which brings out gentle acidity and a white peach-like character. That’s what makes it interesting.
MugiKyoto Brewing started in 2015, and they began full-scale can production in 2021, right? It really feels like a brewery that keeps evolving!
Hop BroThis is one beer from that trajectory. It works as a first drink on a warm day or after work, and honestly this is one I’d want to toast right now!
From Kyoto Brewing, which operates out of Minami Ward in Kyoto and offers a diverse range of styles, comes a new KBC2.0 series release: "Irotoridori Passion Fruit Pils Edition." The style is NZ Pilsner with passion fruit. It is an ambitious beer that layers fruit and hop character onto a refreshing lager design.
Beer Overview
- English name: Irotoridori NZ Pils with Passion Fruit
- Style: NZ Pilsner with passion fruit
- ABV: 4.5%
- IBU: 35
- Carbonation: 2.7 volumes
- Reference price: 690 yen (tax included)
The flavor is built on a crisp, clean, refreshing mouthfeel, with a gentle tartness from the passion fruit rising through it. The aroma carries tones reminiscent of mango and guava typical of NZ hops, while the hop presence is not overpowering; overall, it remains light and balanced.
The recipe design is also interesting. The malt bill centers on Pilsner malt, with a small amount of wheat and oats added to ապահով a soft mouthfeel and moderate body. Only New Zealand hops are used: NZ Cascade in the boil, Kohia Nelson in the whirlpool, and Cascade plus Nelson Sauvin in the dry hop, creating tropical notes alongside hints of white peach. In addition, two kinds of passion fruit juice are blended in and fermented, adding gentle acidity and fruit character.
Kyoto Brewing started in the Minami Ward of Kyoto City in spring 2015 and began full-scale canned production in 2021. In recent years, the brewery has continued to invest in equipment and challenge itself with new ingredients and methods, and this new release reflects that momentum. As the weather warms up, it should work equally well as a first drink before a meal or as a reset after work.
Information may be inaccurate. Please refer to the brewery’s official channels for the latest details.
Hop BroToday’s Kyoto news! Kyoto Brewing’s new release "Irotoridori Passion Fruit Pils Edition" is here.
MugiWhoa! It sounds cute and delicious just from the name! What’s a fruit-scented pilsner like?
Hop BroThe style is NZ Pilsner with passion fruit, with an ABV of 4.5%, IBU 35, and a tax-included price of 690 yen. It’s designed to be light and easy to drink.
MugiOhh! But wait, what does IBU 35 mean? Once the numbers show up, it suddenly feels like science class!
Hop BroIBU is a guide to bitterness, and 35 gives you the impression of a nicely balanced crisp finish. Plus, with 2.7 volumes of carbonation, it’s bright and refreshing.
MugiWhat is that! Fizz is justice! And those whirlpool and dry hop terms in the article sound like spells!
Hop BroThat’s where the craftsmanship comes in: NZ Cascade in the boil, Kohia and Nelson in the whirlpool, and then layered again in the dry hop for a three-stage hop design.
MugiThree stages sounds like a specialty ramen broth! So the aroma is that mango and guava tone they mentioned?
Hop BroExactly. On top of that, they combine it with two kinds of passion fruit juice during fermentation, which brings out gentle acidity and a white peach-like character. That’s what makes it interesting.
MugiKyoto Brewing started in 2015, and they began full-scale can production in 2021, right? It really feels like a brewery that keeps evolving!
Hop BroThis is one beer from that trajectory. It works as a first drink on a warm day or after work, and honestly this is one I’d want to toast right now!
