Last Updated: 2/19/2021
Flying IPA is a hugely successful Japanese craft beer from Echigo Beer of Niigata (新潟). It has only two drawbacks: it’s pricey and hard to find.
In this post, we explain why this beer is worth trying. Included are tasting notes, online retailers that deliver, similar beer recommendations, beer pairing suggestions, and more.
Echigo Flying IPA Tasting Notes
Echigo IPA is dominated by herbal, piney, and pungent hops with a fair amount of bite. Maltiness is modest but provides balance. There is also a somewhat elevated level of carbonation keeping things refreshing for this medium-bodied ale. These persistent bubbles and all-malt ingredients combine to make for a long-lasting head.
Specific tasting notes for Flying IPA include lemon and lime oil, fresh flowers, light caramel, honeyed malt, steamed barley, and dried apricot.
Overall, Echigo Flying IPA is a very drinkable example of the American IPA style (BJCP). And true to Japanese craft brew form: it’s a bit light for its category, very smooth, and complex.
Who Will Like Echigo IPA?
If you can’t already tell, we highly recommend Echigo Flying IPA. The packaging is fantastic, the beer complex, powerful, and still drinkable. American hopheads will find the kick they crave, but with subtlety and elegance rarely found in most American India Pale Ales.
Fans of Japanese craft beers should expect a more intense and bitter experience than is often found. But the feminine, soft complexity will feel familiar. Missing are any quirky adjuncts, however.
Finding and Buying Flying IPA
This Japanese IPA (アイピーエー) is relatively new to the US market. Finding it may not be easy, but the diligent will be rewarded with an awesome craft brew!
Check out these affiliate retailers below to see if you can find a can!
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Japanese Craft Beers Similar to Echigo Flying IPA
Echigo Beer Flying IPA is one of only a handful of Japanese craft India Pale Ales available in the US. Its primary competition comes from YoHo Brewing’s Aooni IPA – another stunning Japanese craft beer.
Coedo Marihana Session IPA and Baird Teikoku IPA should also be sought out.
Lastly, Minoh Beer of Osaka is another brewery that produces outstanding beer, including world-class IPA’s. Unfortunately, they aren’t available in the US at this time.
Selling Echigo Flying IPA at Restaurants and Retail
We think Flying IPA is a great beer to feature on a Japanese restaurant or bar menu. India Pale Ales are extremely popular stateside and tend to sell themselves. The packaging on Flying IPA is attractive and draws a lot of attention.
Pricing, like most Japanese beers, is the biggest downside. This elevated cost can be offset by higher profits than you’d get from a pint poured from a 1/2 or 1/6 barrel keg of Sapporo or Asahi.
Consumers are often happy to take a chance on the more premium Japanese offerings, even if it’s just one and done. It’s pretty normal for beverage managers to be fretting over cost. Just remember that profits are what pays the bills and your staff.
Having a few premium Japanese craft beers like Echigo Beer Flying IPA available to your customers can lead to a more profitable and interesting beverage program.
Serving Flying IPA for Optimal Flavor
Like most beers, Echigo Beer Flying IPA is best served in a glass.
Cans are great for protecting against light and spoilage, but leave the beer and its aroma hidden inside. Since taste is largely tied to the aroma, the full expression of this craft beer can’t be enjoyed until set free.
The classic British nonic pint glass is a subtle improvement over serving in your standard shaker pint glass. If you are so lucky, serving Flying IPA in a more modern IPA glass is preferred. Red wine glasses also work well for this aromatic and beautifully colored beer.
Proper serving temperature ranges from cold to slightly chilled, with the tasting experience improving as the beer moves away from fridge temperature.
Recommended IPA Beer Glasses
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Pairing Suggestions for Craft Japanese IPAs
American-style India Pale Ales like Flying IPA are very good with spicy food. Indian food, in particular, can be a delicious match.
Mexican food featuring lime and cilantro is also worth seeking out. Sour cream, cream, and yogurt-based elements in both cuisines also play well with this beer. Herbs like mint and Thai basil do too.
Overall, this Echigo beer marries spice and herbal notes with fresh cutting power.
Flying IPA Product Info
Echigo Flying IPA フライング アイピーエー
ABV: 5.5% IBU: 55
Ingredients: Malted barley, hops
Brewed Year-Round
Is Echigo Flying India Pale Ale Gluten-Free?
No, this beer is not gluten-free. This is because it is brewed with malted barley. Anyone with celiac disease or with gluten intolerance should avoid consuming this beer.
The Echigo Beer Brewery 越後麦酒
Brewery: Echigo Beer (エチゴビール)
Location: Niigata, Niigata EST: 1994
Echigo Beer was created by the excellent Uehara sake brewery (Echigo Tsurukame 越後鶴亀) shortly after Japan loosened its strict macro-centric beer brewing regulations. More recently, it was bought out by Bourbon (ブルボン), an industrial confectionery producer.
Echigo brews a range of beers from Germanic Pilsner to American-style IPA. They’re all worth checking out when you find them.
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