"Hiroshima Neighborly Brewing" will release the second edition of its craft beer, "Rin-ki Sakura Hen," aged in whisky barrels from "Sakurao Distillery," starting May 17, 2024.

Kanadel Co., Ltd. May 13, 2024, 10:30 AM

Hiroshima Craft Sake Maker 5-Company Collaboration Project "HIROSHIMA BARREL RELAY PROJECT" - Second Release of Barrel-Aged Beer

Craft beer brewery "HIROSHIMA NEIGHBORLY BREWING" (abbreviated as HNB), located on Hondori in Hiroshima City (1-5-10 Otemachi, Naka-ku, Hiroshima), will release its barrel-aged beer "Rinki Oehen - Belgian IPA," aged in single malt whisky barrels from "SAKURAO BREWERY & DISTILLERY" (abbreviated as SAKURAO) (1-12-1 Sakurao, Hatsukaichi City, Hiroshima Prefecture), on May 17, 2024 (Friday).

This marks the third installment of the "HIROSHIMA BARREL RELAY PROJECT," the first collaborative project among craft sake makers in Hiroshima, which started in 2022. This craft beer is created using the technique of aging beer in barrels, known as "barrel aging." In this project, five craft sake makers from Hiroshima Prefecture collaborate across sake genres to create products aged in whisky barrels or wine barrels, passing them along in a relay fashion to create new products. Be sure to pay attention to this new initiative from Hiroshima's alcohol makers.

<1> Overview of "Rinki Oehen - Belgian IPA"

The style of beer for this occasion is Belgian IPA (Alcohol content: 8%). Brewed on August 31, 2022, it was filled into barrels of "Sakurao's Single Malt Japanese Whiskey Sakurao" medium peat raw sake, where it was aged for approximately 15 months to create a barrel-aged beer.

The series name "Rinki Oehen" signifies HNB's process of maturing the beer in barrels from "Sakurao" to bring about changes.

A barrel-aged Belgian IPA matured in barrels of "Sakurao's Single Malt Japanese Whiskey Sakurao" for about 15 months. This is the second product in the HNB Barrel Aged Beer series. The original Belgian IPA transforms with long-term aging, combining increased sweetness from the maltose and bitterness from the hops to create a balanced, elegant sweetness and a creamy aroma. Additionally, it features a rich and complex flavor with intertwining vanilla and abundant smoky aromas from the barrel. [Alcohol Content] 8%

What is Barrel-Aged Beer?

It refers to beer that is aged in barrels (wooden casks). There are still not many breweries in Japan that brew this type of beer. The types of barrels themselves vary, including whiskey, sherry, wine, bourbon barrels, and the resulting aroma from these barrels imparts unique characteristics to the beer. Moreover, there are no rules regarding the type of beer that can be aged in barrels; it can range from high-alcohol beers to fruit beers. Each barrel type, condition, aging period, as well as the brewery and type of beer, contribute to creating distinctly different flavors, which is one of its captivating aspects.

<2> Overview of the "HIROSHIMA BARREL RELAY PROJECT"

The "HIROSHIMA BARREL RELAY PROJECT" (Hiroshima Barrel Relay Project) is an initiative launched in 2022 with the aim of promoting Hiroshima through locally produced alcohol. This pioneering project involves collaboration among five craft alcohol makers in the prefecture, transcending the boundaries of alcohol genres. It revolves around the relay of products aged in whiskey or wine barrels, with the goal of creating new alcohol products born in Hiroshima. This endeavor not only introduces new alcohol products originating from Hiroshima but also contributes to the revitalization of the sake industry in the region.

【Participating Companies】

SAKURAO BREWERY & DISTILLERY (Hatsukaichi City)
Kamosui Shuzo (Higashihiroshima City)
Fujii Shuzo (Takehara City)
Vinoble Vineyard (Miyoshi City)
HIROSHIMA NEIGHBORLY BREWING (Hiroshima City)

<Products So Far>

◎ First Release: Craft Beer [HIROSHIMA NEIGHBORLY BREWING]

"Rin Kiohen - Imperial Stout"

A barrel-aged beer aged for approximately 10 months in barrels previously used for 3-year-aged Sakura Single Malt Whiskey from 'SAKURAO'. This Imperial Stout offers a rich and deep flavor profile where moderate bitterness and the aroma of roasted malt intertwine with the sweet scent reminiscent of vanilla, along with the fragrance from the whiskey barrel and flavors derived from the original whiskey. Alcohol content: 8%. *Released and sold out in August 2022.

Second Product: Whiskey [SAKURAO BREWERY & DISTILLERY] 'Sakurao Single Malt Single Cask 2020 3yo Stout Cask Finish Hiroshima Barrel Relay #1'

The barrel of Sakurao's 3-year-aged Sakurao Single Malt Whiskey, after being used by HNB to mature Imperial Stout for approximately 10 months before release, was returned to Sakurao. There, it was filled with raw whiskey that had been aged for 2 years in the aging warehouse of the Sakurao distillery and further matured for another year. [Retailer] Liquorland Kimura ※ Released and sold out in December 2023.

Other barrels are also in relay at each participating manufacturer. Please look forward to future releases.

＜３＞Project Participating Manufacturers

・Hiroshima Neighborly Brewing (HNB) (Kanaderu Co., Ltd.)

A brewery located in Hiroshima City, just off Hondori Street and near the Peace Park, boasting the largest facilities in the city. It aims to produce craft beer deeply rooted in the local community. The goal is to create a place where drinking beer brings smiles and fosters a sense of pride. Brewing Peace, Blooming Smiles. Yes, beer is delicious because it signifies peace. With this sentiment in mind, they strive to use locally sourced ingredients from Hiroshima Prefecture as much as possible in their brewing process. The brewery also houses a brewpub and izakaya called "Craftbeer to Charcoal Harebare," providing a place where you can enjoy beer right in the heart of the brewery itself!

Address: 1-5-10 Otemachi, Naka-ku, Hiroshima City
Phone: 082-236-9313
Website: https://hnb.beer
Online Shop: https://hiroshima.beer/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hiroshimaNB
Instagram: @hnb_beer
Twitter: https://twitter.com/hnb_beer

・SAKURAO BREWERY & DISTILLERY (Sakuraoburuwariiandodisutaririi Co., Ltd.)

Established in 1918 in Sakurao, a town in Hatsukaichi City, Hiroshima Prefecture, facing the World Heritage Site of Miyajima. SAKURAO BREWERY & DISTILLERY temporarily halted whisky production, but in 2017, they established SAKURAO DISTILLERY to explore new possibilities in whisky and spirits production. With a commitment to preserving their long-standing expertise and traditions, they continue to challenge themselves as they move into the next century.

Address: 1-12-1 Sakurao, Hatsukaichi City, Hiroshima Prefecture
Phone: 0829-32-2117
Website: www.sakuraobd.co.jp
Instagram: @sakuraodistillery

 

賀茂泉酒造（Kamoizumi Shuzo Co., Ltd.） Founded in 1912 in Saijo, a sake brewing town, the company led the nation in reviving pure rice brewing using only rice and rice koji, which had been lost during the war. In 1972, they released "Mutenka-shu Honjikomi Kamoizumi," an additive-free sake, establishing themselves as pioneers of junmai sake. They do not use activated carbon filtration to bring out the full flavor of the rice, resulting in a deep and beautiful yamabuki color. They collaborate with local breweries in Saijo and elsewhere to promote sake rice production in the local area, establishing the "Higashihiroshima City Sake Rice Cultivation Promotion Council." Additionally, they actively engage in sustainable brewing practices by organizing the "Saijo Mountain and Water Environmental Organization" to conserve the forests that serve as the water source for brewing. Address: 2-4 Saijo Kamishicho, Higashihiroshima City, Hiroshima Prefecture
Phone: 082-423-2118
Website: https://www.kamoizumi.co.jp

藤井酒造（Fujiishuzo Co., Ltd.） Established in 1863 in Takehara, Hiroshima Prefecture, this sake brewery's flagship brand, "Ryusei," means "dragon's energy." It is named after the dragon, symbolizing the god of water, and "sei," which signifies sake. Their brand concept is "brewing sake alongside nature." They continue to explore the miraculous flavors born from the harmony of terroir, tradition, and time through conversations with microorganisms found in the natural world. Their traditional method, "kimoto," used in most of their sake, is a yeast-free ancient method. The naturally derived flavors may not be flashy, but they result in robust and expressive flavors unique to each batch. Ryusei Sake, while honoring Takehara's nature and traditions, continues to challenge itself in sake brewing that maximizes regional characteristics. Address: 3-4-14 Honmachi, Takehara City, Hiroshima Prefecture
Phone: 0846-22-2029
Website: https://www.fujiishuzou.com
Twitter: https://twitter.com/Ryusei_Sake

Vinoble Vineyard (Vinoble Vineyard Co., Ltd.) A winery opened in Miyoshi City in August 2021. Located just 30 seconds from the intersection of the Chugoku Expressway and the Onomichi-Matsue Expressway at the Miyoshi Higashi Interchange. They handle everything from cultivation to brewing in-house. Their first self-brewed wine won a gold medal at a competition in the UK. The winery offers wine, coffee, soft-serve ice cream, and a dog run. Address: 1371 Yonjukkancho, Miyoshi City, Hiroshima Prefecture
Phone: 0824-55-6182
Website: http://vinoble-vineyard.jp

General Inquiries

Kanaderu Co., Ltd. (HIROSHIMA NEIGHBORLY BREWING & CRAFT BEER and Charcoal Harebare) 1-5-10 Otemachi, Naka-ku, Hiroshima City Website: https://hnb.beer

▼PDF data of this release: https://prtimes.jp/a/?f=d106325-6-184328ab0bbd802d753e0d85b6b3206d.pdf