Bay Brewing Shukkou IPA is a 6.8% American IPA from Yokohama Bay Brewing, based in Yokohama, in Kanagawa, Japan. It’s part of their draught and bottled lineup though its availability is unknown at the time of writing. Bay Brewing Shukkou IPA takes it name for the Japanese word “shukkoku (出航)” which means departure, perhaps an homage to the port that lies in the bay of Yokohama. Bay Brewing Shukkou IPA is brewed using imported Cascade, Cristal, Mosaic, and Nelson Sauvin hops.
Bay Brewing Shukkou IPA Aroma and Taste
Bay Brewing Shukkou IPA poured out a light golden orange colour which was quite clear. The head was fluffy and white though it didn’t last long before collapsing to a few bubbles around the side of the glass. Bay Brewing Shukkou IPA had a distinctly lemon and grapefruit nose to it, with some hints of white grapes. I was hoping for some more Mosaic quality to come through – I don’t think I have said enough times how much I love that hop – but the typical Mosaic mango aroma was faint even when the beer had been warmed up. In terms of sweetness, there was just a faint dusting of malt pilsner quality to the beer. Nothing more than that.
In spite of the lack of punchy hop aroma, there was more than enough of punchy bitterness to the body, with it fading quite quickly over time. The hops brought a similar profile to the body as in the nose – some lemon, grapefruit, and a meagre tinge of mango to follow up. Nothing substantial, but then I guess I have been spoilt by Modern Times over the last few years to have had my expectations pushed through the roof. The hop flavours did longer for more than expected but they really did lack the punch. The pilsner brought an edge of sweetness to proceedings but it wasn’t overpowering or cloying. The aftertaste was a bit more of the same, with just some hints of fruitiness being present.
Bay Brewing Shukkou IPA The Bottom Line
Bay Brewing Shukkou IPA is certainly a departure from punchy IPA flavours.
Where to Buy Bay Brewing Shukkou IPA
Bay Brewing Shukkou IPA can be bought online at the following places: