Grand Kirin Galaxy Hop Session IPA

Japanese Name: グランドキリン ギャラクシーホップ
Brewer: Kirin
Release: Jul. 14, 2015
Type: Japanese Beer (ビール)
Alcohol: 4.5%
Purchase Price: ￥255 @Sankus

Tasting Notes:
Released just recently to all of Japan’s convenience store chains is a new beer from the Grand Kirin line, dubbed Galaxy Hop. The name is taken from the use of Australian Galaxy hops which are said to impart a fruity aroma and taste to the beer liken to passionfruit. This beer is a Session IPA which is quite unusual for the Japanese macro brew scene and stays true to name with a low 4.5% ABV.

In the glass, a light straw color and thick head set the stage its fragrant hoppy and fruity aroma. Right from the start the fruitiness of this beer shows up on the tip of the tongue and continues across the palate. Compared with most American IPAs, it has a quite light body. The Galaxy Hops are shown off well, imparting a tangy, slightly sour fruitiness with a light but long staying bitterness coming through on the back.

The newest beer from the Grand Kirin line takes a completely different path than the rest of the macro brew scene. Given its lightness and low alcohol content it is a very nice beer for the summer months. On the other hand, Galaxy Hop is not my cup of tea, with its fruity sourness and lack of a fuller body not being to my liking. It is a must try beer though, and I’m sure that many beer drinkers in Japan will enjoy this one.