I think Japan skipped spring this year. In this edition of Chuhai Watch we’ve got lots of new fruity chuhais coming soon to push you right into early summer! Suntory Kokushibori Pear is 15% real pair juice. Not a very common flavor for cocktails! It’s […]

There’s been so many things going on in chuhai land, I’m starting to want to just drink chuhai and forget. This is the biggest Chuhai Watch since I started this site! Let’s get caught up. Asahi From Asahi first up is Mogitate Lychee, a seasonal […]

More fruity flavors coming around when spring gets kicked off here in Japan! Kirin is bringing a Hokkaido-only flavor of Hyoketsu out: Hyoketsu Hokkaido Honeydew. As far as I can tell it’s the first time they’re doing this flavor! It’s coming out on March 27 […]

Although we’re still deep in winter, our friends in the alcohol industry are already thinking about how to make our Hanami season more tasty and wet. Usually that involves pink, peach, cherry, and strawberry flavors, plus a heavy pour of booze. Here’s a round-up of […]

Although Dec 25-29 is a regular workweek here in Japan, things are definitely winding down for the year. Barring any major announcements I expect this Chuhai Watch to be my last post of 2017. It’s been an amazing year for the Japanese alcohol industry and […]

It’s finally starting to feel like a winter here in Tokyo recently, and snow has begun to blanket the Sea of Japan coastal areas. Three new fruity and fresh chuhais to get you keep you nice and toasty early next year! Kirin has begun to […]

The winter chuhai onslaught continues, with 4 more chuhais coming soon to a Japan near you! Kirin is up first with Hyoketsu Beni Hoppe, using a particular brand of strawberry from Shizuoka prefecture known for being red and juicy. Beni Hoppe roughly translates as “red […]

Ume, or plum, is Japan’s third best-selling flavor of chuhai after lemon and grapefruit. While the plum flavor is already available year-round in Kirin’s regular Hyoketsu series, for the first time, Kirin has announced the Hyoketsu Strong Nanko Ume. Available on December 5 for a […]

More chuhais inbound from both Suntory and Kirin! Let’s jump right in: -196°C Strong Zero Green Apple is a limited release from Suntory, coming along December 19 at 9% abv. This is a season-limited release, so don’t miss it. Also joining the fray from Suntory […]

Both coming on November 14, two new winter chuhais from Kirin! The first is Kirin Bitters Yuzu, 9% abv and 350ml. When squeezing the fruit to make this one, Kirin includes the peel as well, giving the yuzu flavor a slightly more bitter flavor than […]