Good Hops Dear Gene : Background
Good Hops Dear Gene is a 5% American pale ale from Good Hops based in Tono, Iwate. It’s part of their regular line-up, and is available in both cans and on draught. It’s brewed using locally grown Citra hops along with German Hersbrucker and Czech Saaz hops. Finally, this beer is the second in the “Dear…” line-up, with its name as an homage to the developer of the Citra hop strain – Gene Probasco – as Good Hops’ head brewer, Murakami, Probasco is a long-time hop research colleague and a dear friend.
At A Glance
- ABV : 5%
- Style : American Pale Ale
- Hops : Citra, Hersbrucker, and Saaz
- Adjuncts : –
- IBU : –
Sale Information
- Availability : Regular
- On Sale : From August 2025
- Size : 350 ml
Good Hops Dear Gene : Appearance, Aroma, and Taste
Good Hops Dear Gene poured out a slightly hazy golden straw colour with a finger’s worth of white head on top, which seemed to linger around for a while. That same head left some thick rings around the edge of the glass during drinking and some sticky lacing too.
The aroma though was a bit of a disappointment. I’m a big fan of Citra hops – sorry Dad! – but Good Hops Dear Gene didn’t have the punchy lemon aroma. Instead, it was a musty, wet cardboard-like one that really didn’t do the Citra hop, or the developer, any justice. There was the faintest of citrus notes as the beer warmed up, barely saving the beer, and while it wasn’t offensive on the nose, the beer really didn’t entice me to dive in.
As with the body, it just all seemed a bit lacklustre again – more of a musty flavour going on in the body than one of citrus punch. Good Hops Dear Gene seemed to have either been made with oxidised hops, or the ones grown hadn’t really developed enough in the Japanese climate. With a touch of malt sweetness present, and a smidgen of bitterness lingering throughout, there was something that resembled a beer here.
Good Hops Dear Gene : The Bottom Line
Not a drain pour, but not a beer I’m going to try finding out in public.
Good Hops Dear Gene : Where to Buy
It can be bought online at the following places:
