【Limited Collaboration】2nd Story × DD4D FARMHOUSE 2X4 Complete Review – Aged Farmhouse Ale

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Riho

Beer Engineer

Sharing the craft beer experience through an IT engineer's perspective. As a certified beer judge in Japan, I participated in the 2024 JGBA competitions. Currently based in Seattle, I offer brewing process insights and reviews while comparing craft cultures between the US and Japan.

My mission is "creating a world where breweries' unique stories reach their audience." I support brewers by leveraging my IT skills through prompt engineering and web development. Feel free to reach out with any questions about beer and technology. Cheers! 🍻


【Limited Collaboration】2nd Story × DD4D FARMHOUSE 2X4 Complete Review – Aged Farmhouse Ale Featuring Ehime Naked Barley and Brett Yeast

“FARMHOUSE 2X4,” born from the collaboration between Tokushima’s 2nd Story Ale Works and DD4D Brewing, is a special farmhouse ale made using raw ale brewing method with Ehime Prefecture naked barley. With its satisfying ABV of 7.0% and refreshing sour gummy-like acidity created by the complex fermentation of lactic acid bacteria, two saison yeasts, and Brett yeast, this is a beer you can enjoy over time as its flavor evolves with aging.

What You’ll Learn in This Article

  • The unique brewing method and flavor profile of “FARMHOUSE 2X4”
  • Basic knowledge about raw ale brewing and Brett yeast
  • The differences between saison beer and farmhouse ale
  • How flavors change with aging and ways to enjoy them
Front label of FARMHOUSE 2X4 bottle. Golden beer in a clear bottle.
Label design showcasing the DD4D collaboration
ルネちゃん
ルネちゃん

DD4D collaboration beer! I had it at two fingers and it was so delicious, so I bought it! Since it’s Brett yeast style, I’m happy I can buy it without worrying about the timing, wan!

りほくん
りほくん

Brett yeast is characterized by flavor changes over time. Since it’s a beer you can enjoy while aging, you’re lucky to have gotten your hands on it.

FARMHOUSE 2X4 Basic Information

StyleFarmhouse Ale (Raw Ale)
ABV (Alcohol Content)7.0%
IBU (Bitterness)Ultra low
SRM (Color Intensity)5-7 (Bright golden)
Carbonation2.6
MaltPilsner, wheat, sour malt, Ehime naked barley
HopsEquinox
YeastLactic acid bacteria, 2 saison yeasts, Brettanomyces yeast blend
AdjunctsOrange peel
Brewing MethodRaw ale (no boiling, pasteurized)

【Beginner’s Guide: What is Raw Ale?】

ホプくん
ホプくん

Raw Ale is a traditional Nordic brewing method that skips the normal boiling process and instead removes unwanted microorganisms through pasteurization (30-60 minutes at about 80-85°C), hop! By not boiling, deeper malt flavors and a fuller body remain, with more proteins retained, hop! Historically, this technique developed to save firewood, but nowadays it’s used to create unique flavors, hop!

Brewer’s Comments

This is our new farmhouse ale! Farmhouse 2×4 is our second collaboration with DD4D Brewing. In February, the DD4D crew visited our brewery and brought Ehime naked barley with them. We made a raw ale using that wheat and pilsner malt. We fermented it with lactic acid bacteria, two types of saison yeast, and a blend of Brettanomyces yeast. Finally, we dry-hopped it with the citrus hop, Equinox.

Instead of boiling, raw ale pasteurizes the wort at low temperature to kill unwanted lactic acid bacteria and yeast. While this technique is said to bring out body and deep malt flavors in beer, the firm acidity and citrus aroma and flavor from the combination of lactic acid bacteria, yeast, and hops make it very drinkable without feeling the body or maltiness. This beer features characteristic aromas of lemon, yuzu, and yukou. In addition to the acidity, there’s a subtle sweetness at the finish, making it like sour gummy candy. As the beer warms up, the wheat becomes more noticeable, and you can subtly enjoy the funky yeast flavors that are beginning to develop through aging fermentation.

When paired with salty, rich dishes, the beer’s acidity prevents heaviness and creates a great compatibility. This time it’s only half the batch; we’re storing the rest to age and bring out more Brett yeast character, planning to release it in 2024.

Source: 2nd Story Ale Works Official Website (Verified: July 1, 2025)

Tasting Review

👃 Aroma

Citrus, fragrance, hop pine, slight spiciness from wheat. Complex esters.

👅 Taste

  • 🍺 Bitterness: ⭐☆☆☆☆ (1/5) – Ultra low, barely noticeable
  • 🍯 Sweetness: ⭐⭐☆☆☆ (2/5) – Subtle sweetness at the finish
  • 🍋 Acidity: ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ (4/5) – Refreshing lactic acid-derived acidity
  • 💪 Body: ⭐⭐☆☆☆ (2/5) – Light but has more weight than water

🎯 Characteristic Flavors

Pine, lemongrass, slight barnyard, just a hint of candied mango. Nutty, bland aroma. Peppery or sansho-like spiciness.

ルネちゃん
ルネちゃん

I’m not good with acidity, but would this be okay, wan?

りほくん
りほくん

According to the article’s description, it’s expressed as “like sour gummy candy,” so this beer’s acidity seems to have a refreshing quality like lemon or grapefruit. It’s different from aggressive vinegar-like acidity, so while it depends on preference, it might be worth trying.

Mouthfeel & Texture Review

Mouthfeel: Gentle without any off-putting sensation. While having more body than water, it’s infinitely close to water.

Body & Texture: Bland and weighted, yet light for a raw ale. The cloudiness common in raw ales is subdued and transparent. There’s a beauty to it. When rolled on the tongue, the sour beer-like acidity intensifies. This matches with the orange peel-derived acidity creating a very pleasant sensation.

Moment of Swallowing: After going down smoothly like water without any catching, the pleasant orange peel-derived acidity passes through the nose. Refreshing.

Aftertaste: Lemongrass-type acidity lingers in the mouth for a long time.

Bottom of the Bottle: Brett yeast and orange peel, marmalade sensation mixed with yeast’s raw smell.

Overall Impression

Like a refreshing saison you can gulp down, with strong lactic acid bacteria-derived acidity. I thought it was amazing how it achieves both complex flavors and drinkability. Incredibly delicious.

ルネちゃん
ルネちゃん

It sounds refreshing and easy to drink, wan! What kind of food would go well with it?

りほくん
りほくん

According to the article, “When paired with salty, rich dishes, the beer’s acidity prevents heaviness and creates a great compatibility.” Fried chicken, fish dishes like carpaccio, or cheese plates would go well with it—the beer’s acidity would cut through the oil and saltiness nicely.

Purchase Information

📍 Purchase Location

Sake House Morimoto (Tokushima)
Purchase Date: December 2023

Brewery Information

2nd Story Ale Works

At first glance, this building looks like a garage, and that’s because it really was a garage! When we were starting the brewery, we needed to find a place quickly, so we decided on this. At the time, the second floor of the garage wasn’t being used, and since it’s on my family’s property, of course the rent is free. It wasn’t a building suited for a brewery, so it took quite a bit of time and effort to make it usable.

Source: 2nd Story Ale Works Official Website (Verified: July 1, 2025)

ルネちゃん
ルネちゃん

It’s interesting that the brewery started in a garage, wan! Do they have a tap room?

りほくん
りほくん

As of February 2024, they didn’t have a tap room yet, but according to their official website, they plan to open one soon. It’s a great example of a small brewery that started in a garage and is steadily growing.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Can this beer be stored long-term?

A: Since Brett yeast is used, the flavor changes when aged over time. According to the official description, “Half the batch will be aged to bring out more Brett yeast character, planning to release in 2024,” so if stored in proper conditions (cool, dark place), you can enjoy the flavor changes from aging.

Q: What’s the difference from a regular saison?

A: This FARMHOUSE 2X4 is fermented with a blend of lactic acid bacteria, two saison yeasts, and Brettanomyces yeast, uses Ehime naked barley and pilsner malt, and is made with raw ale method. It has stronger acidity than regular saisons and is characterized by flavor changes with aging.

Q: Can beginners enjoy this?

A: Characterized by refreshing acidity described as “like sour gummy candy” and citrus aromas, it has a different taste from regular beer. Recommended for those who don’t mind acidity and want to try new flavors. It’s good to start with small amounts.

Beer Style Explanation

【Beginner’s Guide: Saison and Farmhouse Ale】

ホプくん
ホプくん

Saison means “season” in French, originally beer brewed by Belgian farmers for summer seasonal workers, hop! Characterized by refreshing, light drinkability, fruity aromas, and spicy character, hop! High fermentation degree (over 90% attenuation) resulting in a dry finish is the traditional style, hop!

【Beginner’s Guide: What is Brett Yeast?】

ホプくん
ホプくん

Brett yeast (Brettanomyces yeast) is a type of wild yeast that can ferment complex sugars that regular yeast (Saccharomyces) cannot break down, hop! The flavor changes over time, starting fruity but developing leather-like “funky” aromas with aging, hop! Used in Belgian lambic and American wild ales, it’s a special yeast that can remain active even in pH 3.8-4.2 environments, hop!

🛒 Check Related Products

ホプくん
ホプくん

Here are recommended products for those interested in farmhouse ales and saison beers, hop!

📚 Learn More About Saison & Farmhouse Ales

Yoho Brewing Boku Beer, Kimi Beer. Ryusei Radio

Saison style made by a Japanese craft beer maker. Fruity and easy to drink, perfect for saison beginners.

👉 Search on Rakuten | Search on Amazon

Saison Beer Glass Set

Tulip glasses specifically for saison beer. Enhances aromas and maintains good head retention.

👉 Search on Rakuten

りほくん
りほくん

It’s recommended to start with easily available saison beers in Japan and gradually challenge Brett yeast beers. Using special glasses enhances the aroma experience!

🍺 The World of Brett Yeast Beers

Shiga Kogen Beer Yamabushi Ni saison deux

Brett yeast saison made by Nagano’s Shiga Kogen Beer. A representative Japanese Brett beer.

👉 Search on Rakuten

‘Farmhouse Ale’ Brewing Book

A specialized book detailing the history and brewing methods of farmhouse ales.

👉 Search on Rakuten

ルネちゃん
ルネちゃん

Brett yeast beers are also made in Japan, wan! Let’s start with easily accessible products!

📚 Reference Information

Reliable sources used for fact-checking in this article:

※Information may change without notice. Please check each official website for the latest information.

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