GOOD HOPS Releases “Tono no Irodori,” a Pale Ale Made with Five Tono-Grown Hops
GOOD HOPS, based in Tono, Iwate, has begun selling “Tono no Irodori,” a new pale ale brewed with five varieties of locally grown Tono hops. The beer showcases the brewery’s commitment to growing, researching, processing, and brewing with Japanese hops.
Hop BroGOOD HOPS in Tono, Iwate has released “Tono no Irodori,” a pale ale made with five Tono-grown hops.
MugiWhat, five kinds!? Does that mean a mountain of hops? Won’t all those aromas fight each other?
Hop BroThat’s the fun part. Their aromas, bitterness, and personalities overlap to show Tono’s many expressions in one glass.
MugiOoh! But what exactly is a pale ale style like?
Hop BroA pale ale balances malty richness with approachable hop aroma. Here, the hops become the aroma guides of the beer.
MugiFive guides on one tour? Wouldn’t the bus get lost? That’s too many hop chaperones!
Hop BroHa! GOOD HOPS has it covered. It handles growing, processing, and brewing in one integrated hop process, so it knows how to bring those characters together.
MugiThey grow the hops too!? And they developed non-heated lupulin extraction? Suddenly this sounds like a delicious science lab!
Hop BroLupulin is the yellow material in hops that carries much of their aroma and bitterness. Extracting it without heat aims to preserve the hop’s natural aroma.
MugiTono has grown hops since 1963, right? Tasting that local history sounds like a trip through Tono in a glass!
Hop BroExactly. Details such as varieties and ABV are still to come, but “Tono no Irodori” makes me want to taste Tono’s terroir for myself.
MugiSame here! Hop chaperones, please take me on a fragrant Tono journey—with a cold glass in hand!
GOOD HOPS, a brewery based in Tono, Iwate, began selling its new beer “Tono no Irodori” on September 29, 2026. The pale ale takes its name from the varied character of hops grown in Tono and is brewed with five different Tono-grown hop varieties.\n\nBy combining multiple varieties, the beer is designed to express a layered range of hop aromas, bitterness, and individual characteristics. The brewery has not yet disclosed further specifications such as the exact hop varieties or alcohol content.\n\n## A beer rooted in Tono’s hop-growing heritage\n\nGOOD HOPS works across the entire brewing process, from developing and cultivating hop varieties to processing and brewing. Its own managed fields in Tono provide the hops used in its experimental beers, allowing the brewery to explore the possibilities of Japanese-grown hops through repeated research and recipe development.\n\nThe brewery has also developed a non-heating technique for extracting lupulin from hop cones. This approach is intended to preserve and convey the hops’ natural aroma in the finished beer. “Tono no Irodori” reflects that integrated approach, connecting cultivation and brewing in a single product.\n\nHop cultivation in Tono dates back to 1963. GOOD HOPS aims to support the future of this local agricultural tradition by reinvesting in cultivation and expanding the potential of Japanese hops. With five Tono-grown varieties in one pale ale, “Tono no Irodori” offers beer drinkers an opportunity to explore the character of one of Japan’s leading hop-growing regions.
Information may be inaccurate. Please refer to the brewery’s official channels for the latest details.
Hop BroGOOD HOPS in Tono, Iwate has released “Tono no Irodori,” a pale ale made with five Tono-grown hops.
MugiWhat, five kinds!? Does that mean a mountain of hops? Won’t all those aromas fight each other?
Hop BroThat’s the fun part. Their aromas, bitterness, and personalities overlap to show Tono’s many expressions in one glass.
MugiOoh! But what exactly is a pale ale style like?
Hop BroA pale ale balances malty richness with approachable hop aroma. Here, the hops become the aroma guides of the beer.
MugiFive guides on one tour? Wouldn’t the bus get lost? That’s too many hop chaperones!
Hop BroHa! GOOD HOPS has it covered. It handles growing, processing, and brewing in one integrated hop process, so it knows how to bring those characters together.
MugiThey grow the hops too!? And they developed non-heated lupulin extraction? Suddenly this sounds like a delicious science lab!
Hop BroLupulin is the yellow material in hops that carries much of their aroma and bitterness. Extracting it without heat aims to preserve the hop’s natural aroma.
MugiTono has grown hops since 1963, right? Tasting that local history sounds like a trip through Tono in a glass!
Hop BroExactly. Details such as varieties and ABV are still to come, but “Tono no Irodori” makes me want to taste Tono’s terroir for myself.
MugiSame here! Hop chaperones, please take me on a fragrant Tono journey—with a cold glass in hand!
