{"product_id":"far-yeast-hinoki","title":"FAR YEAST HINOKI (Japanese Pilsner from the Forest | $\/btl)","description":"\u003ch2\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eA Japanese Pilsner from the Forest\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHinoki is a crisp Japanese pilsner brewed with chips made from hinoki—Japanese cypress—harvested through forest thinning around Kosuge Village in Yamanashi Prefecture.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eKosuge is home to Far Yeast Brewing’s Genryu Brewery. Surrounded by forest and located at the headwaters of the Tama River, the village provides both the water and the landscape behind this limited beer.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFar Yeast combines the cypress with Saaz hops, whose delicate herbal character naturally complements the fragrance of the wood. The result is refreshing, restrained and quietly distinctive: a familiar pilsner carrying the scent of a Japanese forest.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhy We Like It\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHinoki demonstrates how an unusual ingredient can give beer identity without overwhelming it.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is not a heavily flavored novelty beer. The cypress adds aromatic detail—wood, herbs, gentle spice and the suggestion of a cool forest—while the pilsner remains crisp, balanced and highly drinkable.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAt 5% alcohol and only 20 IBU, Hinoki has enough character to hold your attention without losing the refreshing purpose of a lager.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBeer with a Connection to Place\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eKosuge Village is more than 90% forest and sits at the source of the Tama River, one of Tokyo’s principal water sources.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eForest thinning allows the remaining trees to grow properly, supports a healthier forest ecosystem and helps protect the watershed. Far Yeast worked with Kosuge-based wood specialists to process locally thinned hinoki into chips for the beer.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe cypress is not an exotic ingredient added simply to attract attention. It connects the beer directly to the forest, water and community surrounding the brewery.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat It Tastes Like\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHinoki is crisp and refreshing, with aromatic impressions that may suggest:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eJapanese cypress\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFresh-cut wood\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eForest herbs\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eGentle spice\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSaaz hops\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eClean malt\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eA dry, lightly bitter finish\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe cypress should be experienced as an aromatic accent rather than an overpowering wood flavor.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFood Pairings\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHinoki’s crisp structure and herbal character make it particularly suitable for Japanese food, seafood, grilled dishes and fried foods.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTry it with:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSushi and sashimi\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eTempura\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eYakitori\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eGrilled fish\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eGyoza\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eRamen\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFried chicken\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePork cutlets\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMushrooms\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eHerb-seasoned vegetables\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSalty snacks\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFor Wine Stop’s EATS pairings, Hinoki fits especially well with Sushi \u0026amp; Poke, Dumplings \u0026amp; Ramen, Fried Chicken and Burgers \u0026amp; Fries.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eStyle\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePilsner with Japanese cypress\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAlcohol\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e5% alc.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBitterness\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e20 IBU\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIngredients\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMalt, Japanese cypress wood chips and hops\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHops\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSaaz\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eServe It Like This\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eServe cold in a pilsner glass, white-wine glass or small stemmed beer glass.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA narrow glass emphasizes its crispness, while a wine glass gives the cypress and herbal aromas more room to emerge.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe Wine Stop Take\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMori to Mori took us into the rice fields of Yamanashi. Hinoki takes us into its forests.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFar Yeast has used a highly distinctive Japanese ingredient with admirable restraint. The cypress doesn’t turn Hinoki into a flavored curiosity; it gives an otherwise crisp, refreshing pilsner a quiet sense of place.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eJapanese beer deserves a wider vocabulary. Hinoki adds another word.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Wine Stop Wine Shops \u0026 Tasting Bars","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":45846266052743,"sku":null,"price":11.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0713\/0336\/4743\/files\/Hinoki1.jpg?v=1789254856","url":"https:\/\/mywinestop.com\/products\/far-yeast-hinoki","provider":"Wine Stop","version":"1.0","type":"link"}