Open Air Minatoyama Brewery Unveils "sansho gose" Fragrant with Grape Sansho
Open Air Minatoyama Brewery in Kobe, Hyogo, announced "sansho gose" on Instagram on February 25, 2026. Built on the traditional German gose style, it is presented as a "Japanese-style" beer that combines grape sansho from Arida, Wakayama Prefecture.
Hop BroToday I want to introduce Open Air Minatoyama Brewery's new release from Kobe, "sansho gose," announced on February 25, 2026. It's a Japanese-style gose that reinterprets a German-origin style with Japanese ingredients.
MugiWait, a sansho beer!? What is that, the inside of my mouth is about to turn into a Japanese restaurant!
Hop BroWhat's interesting is that it uses grape sansho, layering the gose's signature saltiness and acidity with citrusy notes, green aromas, and even a sharp tingle. The design is pretty bold.
MugiHold on, what exactly is a gose in the first place!? And now you're dropping the word "design" like this is engineering!
Hop BroGose is a traditional beer style known for its light acidity and saltiness. By design, I mean the way the flavor balance is constructed. This one is shaped like a triangle of salt, acidity, and sansho aroma.
MugiOhhh, a three-part harmony of salty, sour, and spicy! That's the kind of beer you can keep drinking all summer!
Hop BroThe specs are interesting too. ABV is 5.5%, IBU is 11, hops are Motueka, and the adjuncts are grape sansho and salt. Since the IBU is low, bitterness is restrained and the aroma and acidity come forward.
MugiHearing IBU 11 suddenly makes it sound like a test! But if it's more on the non-bitter side, it sounds friendly enough for me!
Hop BroThe suggested pairings are salted saba mackerel, shioyaki aji, yam wun sen, and sansho karaage. The goal of connecting the beer with the seasoning and aromas of the dishes is well done. Also, the release date and details like cans or kegs were not disclosed in the post, so checking the official Instagram and website is the safest bet.
MugiGot it! I'll check it out, and if I find it, let's meet up right away! I'll handle the sansho karaage, and you handle the sansho gose, Hop bro. I already want to drink it tonight!
Open Air Minatoyama Brewery (Hyogo) introduced its new release, a gose centered on sansho pepper called "sansho gose." In its post, the brewery explained a recipe that layers the characteristic saltiness and acidity of gose with the citrus notes, green freshness, and a light tingling sensation derived from grape sansho.
Beer Overview (as posted)
- Product name: sansho gose
- Style: japanese style gose
- ABV: 5.5%
- IBU: 11
- Hops: motueka
- Adjuncts: grape sansho, salt
For food pairings, the brewery suggested grilled fish such as salted saba mackerel and shioyaki aji, yam wun sen, and karaage seasoned with sansho. The idea of linking saltiness, acidity, and spice with the seasoning and aromas of food stood out.
According to Open Air's official information, the brewery is based in NATURE STUDIO, a mixed-use complex built on the former site of Minatoyama Elementary School in Kobe. It promotes open community spaces and the introduction of new beer styles. This "sansho gose" also reflects the brewery's approach of reinterpreting a beer style from abroad through Japanese ingredients and sensibilities.
It should be noted that the post we were able to confirm did not specify the start date for sales or distribution channels such as cans, kegs, or on-premise service. For the latest availability, check the brewery's official Instagram and website.
Information may be inaccurate. Please refer to the brewery’s official channels for the latest details.
Hop BroToday I want to introduce Open Air Minatoyama Brewery's new release from Kobe, "sansho gose," announced on February 25, 2026. It's a Japanese-style gose that reinterprets a German-origin style with Japanese ingredients.
MugiWait, a sansho beer!? What is that, the inside of my mouth is about to turn into a Japanese restaurant!
Hop BroWhat's interesting is that it uses grape sansho, layering the gose's signature saltiness and acidity with citrusy notes, green aromas, and even a sharp tingle. The design is pretty bold.
MugiHold on, what exactly is a gose in the first place!? And now you're dropping the word "design" like this is engineering!
Hop BroGose is a traditional beer style known for its light acidity and saltiness. By design, I mean the way the flavor balance is constructed. This one is shaped like a triangle of salt, acidity, and sansho aroma.
MugiOhhh, a three-part harmony of salty, sour, and spicy! That's the kind of beer you can keep drinking all summer!
Hop BroThe specs are interesting too. ABV is 5.5%, IBU is 11, hops are Motueka, and the adjuncts are grape sansho and salt. Since the IBU is low, bitterness is restrained and the aroma and acidity come forward.
MugiHearing IBU 11 suddenly makes it sound like a test! But if it's more on the non-bitter side, it sounds friendly enough for me!
Hop BroThe suggested pairings are salted saba mackerel, shioyaki aji, yam wun sen, and sansho karaage. The goal of connecting the beer with the seasoning and aromas of the dishes is well done. Also, the release date and details like cans or kegs were not disclosed in the post, so checking the official Instagram and website is the safest bet.
MugiGot it! I'll check it out, and if I find it, let's meet up right away! I'll handle the sansho karaage, and you handle the sansho gose, Hop bro. I already want to drink it tonight!
