Dragon Brewing completes Sugiyama Jogakuen University collaboration beer, Sugiyama Botanical Ale
Dragon Brewing, based in Nagoya’s Higashi Ward, has announced the completion of Sugiyama Botanical Ale, a collaboration beer made with students from Sugiyama Jogakuen University. Built on the brewery’s Botanist Ale, the release uses young sugi shoots and is set for a launch event on July 11.
Hop BroNagoya has a fun one right now: Dragon Brewing just finished a beer with students from Sugiyama Jogakuen University called "Sugiyama Botanical Ale."
MugiWait, a collab beer with a university? So this is basically a class project you can actually drink?
Hop BroExactly, and it starts from their popular Botanist Ale. Then they added fresh cedar shoots tied to the university theme, which is a smart move.
MugiHold on, cedar shoots go in beer? Am I about to sip a tiny forest?
Hop BroNot a whole forest. They bring a soft green note, layering forest-like aroma over bright citrus, and that is the clever part.
MugiOhhh, so not chewing on a tree, more like gentle woodland vibes. That suddenly sounds very elegant.
Hop BroRight. Style-wise it is a botanical ale, which means the fun is in how plant-driven aromatics shape the beer. That structure is what makes it interesting.
MugiNow it sounds like chemistry class again! Aroma structure means the impression changes as you keep drinking?
Hop BroPretty much. First citrus, then a soft cedar lift, so you get stacked aromas instead of one flat note. There is also a launch event on July 11 at the liquor shop on the first floor of Aeon Style Nagoya Dome Mae, and now I want a glass.
MugiThen we have to go do the field research properly! A launch event plus a cedar-and-citrus beer sounds like the perfect excuse to drink.
Collaboration Beer Completed
Nagoya-based Dragon Brewing has announced the completion of Sugiyama Botanical Ale, a collaboration beer developed with students from Sugiyama Jogakuen University. Founded in 2025, Dragon Brewing is a teacher-led craft brewery known for fruit-forward beers and a local approach to brewing in Higashi Ward, Nagoya.
The new release is built on the brewery’s Botanist Ale. According to the posts, it uses young sugi shoots associated with the university, adding a gentle forest-like character to a citrus-led profile. The result is a university-branded collaboration beer that keeps the drink approachable while giving it a clear botanical identity.
Release Event
A launch pop-up event is scheduled for July 11 at the 1F liquor shop of AEON Style Nagoya Dome-mae. The project brings together a local brewery, a university craft-beer team, and a retail venue in Nagoya, showing how collaboration can move a beer from concept to shelf.
Sources: Instagram post, PR TIMES
Information may be inaccurate. Please refer to the brewery’s official channels for the latest details.
Hop BroNagoya has a fun one right now: Dragon Brewing just finished a beer with students from Sugiyama Jogakuen University called "Sugiyama Botanical Ale."
MugiWait, a collab beer with a university? So this is basically a class project you can actually drink?
Hop BroExactly, and it starts from their popular Botanist Ale. Then they added fresh cedar shoots tied to the university theme, which is a smart move.
MugiHold on, cedar shoots go in beer? Am I about to sip a tiny forest?
Hop BroNot a whole forest. They bring a soft green note, layering forest-like aroma over bright citrus, and that is the clever part.
MugiOhhh, so not chewing on a tree, more like gentle woodland vibes. That suddenly sounds very elegant.
Hop BroRight. Style-wise it is a botanical ale, which means the fun is in how plant-driven aromatics shape the beer. That structure is what makes it interesting.
MugiNow it sounds like chemistry class again! Aroma structure means the impression changes as you keep drinking?
Hop BroPretty much. First citrus, then a soft cedar lift, so you get stacked aromas instead of one flat note. There is also a launch event on July 11 at the liquor shop on the first floor of Aeon Style Nagoya Dome Mae, and now I want a glass.
MugiThen we have to go do the field research properly! A launch event plus a cedar-and-citrus beer sounds like the perfect excuse to drink.
