Minoh Beer releases seasonal Earl Grey-infused 'Koucha Bitter'
The Osaka-based Minoh Beer has introduced 'Koucha Bitter,' a seasonal bitter ale brewed with Earl Grey tea. Built on a classic UK-style bitter base, it pairs soft malt richness and restrained bitterness with a bright bergamot aroma, making it an easy match for food.
Hop BroToday's topic is Tea Bitter from Minoh. It's a seasonal release from Minoh Brewery in Osaka, and it sounds made for both tea fans and beer fans.
MugiWait, tea in a beer? My brain can't decide if this belongs at dinner or at afternoon tea!
Hop BroIt starts from a UK-style bitter and layers in Earl Grey tea leaves. The point isn't sweetness, it's soft malt depth and gentle bitterness.
MugiHold on, bitter as a base? What does that even mean, like the beer has structural beams now?
Hop BroPretty much, it's the backbone of the beer. The malt and bitterness are built first, so the tea sits naturally on top instead of yelling over everything.
MugiOhhh, and it gets that bergamot aroma from the Earl Grey, right? That's basically a teacup and a pint glass shaking hands.
Hop BroExactly, and at 4.5% ABV, 13 IBU it should drink easy. IBU is just the bitterness scale, so 13 feels more gentle than sharp.
MugiNo way, IBU sounds mysterious and it turns out it's just a bitterness meter? Beer jargon is unreal.
Hop BroPlus it's an unfiltered amber beer, so the look and texture should come off a little softer. Best around 6 to 8C, which makes the food-pairing angle totally believable.
MugiAnd the online shop opens at 5 p.m. on June 12, right? Bars and bottle shops start getting it around June 5, so now I want to plan dinner around this beer.
Hop BroYep, and the direct store WAREHOUSE posts updates through Instagram announcements. This feels like the kind of bottle you keep sipping with cheese or grilled food.
MugiThen it's settled, I want a cozy meal and a glass of gentle Tea Bitter as soon as possible!
Osaka-based Minoh Beer has released a seasonal beer called "Koucha Bitter." The beer is a tea-focused variation in the brewery's "ocha bitter" series, built on a classic UK-style bitter and brewed with high-quality Earl Grey tea. According to the brewery, it combines soft malt depth, gentle bitterness, and the bright aroma of bergamot.
The beer is designed to feel light on the palate, with a subtle tea note that lingers after each sip. Rather than aiming for intensity, it emphasizes balance and drinkability, which is why the brewery describes it as an easy-to-recommend bitter ale for meals. The flavor concept is restrained, but clear: a bitter framework with tea character layered in naturally.
Specs:
- Style: Beer
- Ingredients: Malt, tea, hops
- ABV: 4.5%
- IBU: 13
- Color: Amber
- Best served at: 6-8°C
- Unfiltered
- Shelf life: 120 days from the production date
For release timing, trade accounts and liquor stores began carrying it from around June 5, while the official online shop started sales at 5:00 p.m. on June 12. Details for the direct shop WAREHOUSE are shared via Instagram. Based in Minoh, Osaka, the brewery continues to roll out seasonal beers with a straightforward flavor concept, and Koucha Bitter fits neatly into that lineup.
Information may be inaccurate. Please refer to the brewery’s official channels for the latest details.
Hop BroToday's topic is Tea Bitter from Minoh. It's a seasonal release from Minoh Brewery in Osaka, and it sounds made for both tea fans and beer fans.
MugiWait, tea in a beer? My brain can't decide if this belongs at dinner or at afternoon tea!
Hop BroIt starts from a UK-style bitter and layers in Earl Grey tea leaves. The point isn't sweetness, it's soft malt depth and gentle bitterness.
MugiHold on, bitter as a base? What does that even mean, like the beer has structural beams now?
Hop BroPretty much, it's the backbone of the beer. The malt and bitterness are built first, so the tea sits naturally on top instead of yelling over everything.
MugiOhhh, and it gets that bergamot aroma from the Earl Grey, right? That's basically a teacup and a pint glass shaking hands.
Hop BroExactly, and at 4.5% ABV, 13 IBU it should drink easy. IBU is just the bitterness scale, so 13 feels more gentle than sharp.
MugiNo way, IBU sounds mysterious and it turns out it's just a bitterness meter? Beer jargon is unreal.
Hop BroPlus it's an unfiltered amber beer, so the look and texture should come off a little softer. Best around 6 to 8C, which makes the food-pairing angle totally believable.
MugiAnd the online shop opens at 5 p.m. on June 12, right? Bars and bottle shops start getting it around June 5, so now I want to plan dinner around this beer.
Hop BroYep, and the direct store WAREHOUSE posts updates through Instagram announcements. This feels like the kind of bottle you keep sipping with cheese or grilled food.
MugiThen it's settled, I want a cozy meal and a glass of gentle Tea Bitter as soon as possible!
