Shonan Beer Hazy IPA is a 6% hazy IPA from Kumazawa Shuzo, based in Chigasaki, in Kanagawa, Japan. It’s part of their draught and bottled lineup, though its availability is unknown at the time of writing as knowing Kumazawa Shuzo, they like to keep a close eye on the specials and how they are doing before being promoted to part of their seasonal, let alone regular, lineup. It’s unknown what hops went into making Shonan Beer Hazy IPA as they haven’t announced and neither does their label say.
Shonan Beer Hazy IPA : At A Glance
- Alcohol: 6%
- Style: Hazy IPA
- Hops: Unknown
- Adjuncts: Flaked oats, flaked wheat
- IBU: 40
Sale Information
- Availability: Unknown but assume regular
- On Sale: From April 2022
- Size: 300 ml
- Price: From ¥600
Aroma & Taste
- Notable Aroma: Tropical aroma of mango, orange, and pineapple with some light citrus notes.
- Notable Taste: Smooth with tropical fruits. Full bodied but not cloying. Touch of heat when warmed up.
Shonan Beer Hazy IPA : Aroma & Taste
The haze craze has shown no sign of slowing down, and it was always a case of when, and not if, Shonan Beer were going to come out with a version. There’s no mistaking Shonan Beer Hazy IPA for any other kind of beer when you pour it out – look at how hazy that body is. Shonan Beer Hazy IPA was first and foremost a tropical smelling beer with mango, orange, and pineapple being the most notable aromas from it, though as it warmed up, there was some citrus aromas of grapefruit and lemon that came along. There wasn’t much of note from the malt though, with just perhaps a smidgen of sweetness but it wasn’t readily forthcoming.
The body began with a smooth bitterness, that faded rather quickly to leave the tropical notes from the hops at the forefront of the flavour profile. A more rounded profile of the mango, orange, and pineapple came though in the drinking, with a full bodied texture to the beer. In spite of Shonan Beer Hazy IPA being full bodied, it wasn’t cloying and was still rather refreshing on the warm day it was drunk on. Perhaps the only downside to the beer was that as Shonan Beer Hazy IPA warmed up, there was a touch of heat to it – perhaps alcohol or perhaps some chlorides – that was came through, just taking a little bit away from the experience.
Shonan Beer Hazy IPA : The Bottom Line
Shonan Beer Hazy IPA is a decent attempt by Kumazawa Shuzo – it’s not a great example of a Hazy IPA but it is by no means a bad one. I’ll definitely try it fresh or on tap when I come across it.
Shonan Beer Hazy IPA : Where to Buy
Shonan Beer Hazy IPA can be bought online at the following places:
