LWLND is back

LWLND is back!

When thinking of American hops, Washington's Yakima Valley immediately comes to mind. However, unique and characterful hops are also cultivated in Oregon, home to the craft beer mecca of Portland. McKenzie, used in LWLND, is one such hop. It has gained popularity since its market debut in 2021.

We brewed this once at the beginning of the year and absolutely loved it, but we held back on releasing it during the summer because the label was "too wintery." The label depicts a landscape with car tracks alongside a withered grassland. It closely resembles a scene we saw a few years ago when we were looking for a place to live in Niseko. I recall being overwhelmed by the tall weeds, the cold wind that blew at dusk, and being surprised by how quickly the snow could pile up to our knees in just 30 minutes.

This area, once idyllic and a little desolate, is now home to our residences and brewery, and has become a bit livelier with more neighbors.

For this second batch, we chose Mango Madness yeast. This yeast ferments at extremely high temperatures of 31-37°C, a range usually considered unthinkable. We were concerned about excessive ester production and loss of hop aroma due to vigorous fermentation, but our worries were unfounded. It has performed beyond expectations as a yeast for Hazy IPAs.

Fermentation finishes in just 2-3 days, increasing tank turnover efficiency. Diacetyl is also quickly cleared after dry-hopping, and hop creep is barely noticeable. However, it was challenging to pinpoint the right dry-hopping time, and we had to be careful of "hop volcanos," explosive fermentation. While its flocculation is low, the mouthfeel characteristic of a Hazy IPA rivals that of London Fog.

LWLND is available at our online shop and Niseko Roadside Station View Plaza. It will also soon be on tap at Craft Pub Brian Brew and Hinitsuka in Sapporo. You can also purchase it at BACKWOOD, a lovely select shop nestled in the forest of Toyako town.

Please enjoy the beer along with the landscape depicted on the label.

ABV: 6.0%
IBU: 20
Malt: Rahr 2-Row, Durst Wheat
Hops: McKenzie
Yeast: Mango Maddness