栃木の秘技 (Tochigi no Higi)

1 bar limited to 1x kegs max

'Tochigi no Higi' is the second leg of our collaboration project with Ushitora Brewery, based in Tochigi Prefecture. This version, brewed here in Kyoto, is an interpretation of a Grisette, an old-world style that history has all but forgotten. Grisettes were said to be refreshing, low alcohol Saison-like beers that focused more on the refreshing flavour of hops than the tartness of lactic acid found in many Saisons of the day.

With this in mind, we looked to Triskel and Aramis hops from the Alsace region of France to give the beer a refreshing yet traditional character. To keep the body from feeling thin despite just 4% ABV, we used 10% unmalted Hato Mugi (aka Pearl Barley), a local grain that Tochigi is well known for and a common ingredient in many Ushitora brews. The result is, well, pretty spot on we think! Huge amounts of refreshing flavour from the hops and yeast with just enough malt character to keep the beer from feeling insipid.

Naming: Part of the fun of a collaboration is learning different techniques from one another and sharing the latest brewing information. Lets just say we learned more than we expected from our peers from Tochigi on what was truly an unforgettable brew day!

Style: Grisette

Malt Bill:

Pilsner, Malted Wheat, Unmalted Pearl Barley

Hops:

Bittering: Millennium

Flavour/Aroma: Triskel, Aramis

Yeast: Belle Saison

ABV: 4.0%

IBU: 25

Gas Volumes: 2.5