Nara Brewing ARRIVAL Review | SYD MEAD Collab IPA

This article is based on a visit in 2023 and was published in July 2025. Here is a detailed review of the collaboration beer “ARRIVAL,” a limited release from Nara Brewing (Nara-shi, Nara Prefecture).

Nara Brewing ARRIVAL – A Fusion of Art and Craft Beer

Basic Information

Beer Name	ARRIVAL
Brewery	Nara Brewing（Nara Brewing Co.）
Beer Style	American IPA
ABV	5.5%
IBU	35
Hops	Citra, Mosaic
Release Year	2024年
Rating	47/50 points

Tasting Review

🎨 Appearance

A beautiful golden-orange color with a slightly hazy cloudiness. When poured, the creamy and rich foam is impressive. Head retention is good, with beautiful lacing on the glass.

👃 Aroma

筆者が感じた印象では、グラスに鼻を近づけると、まずMosaicホップ由来 強烈なPassion Fruit 香りが飛び込んできました。そ 奥にCitra 柑橘系 香りが混じり、少し瓜感 あるキャンディー ような甘い香りも感じられます。缶を開けた瞬間には、微かに枝豆 ような青い香りも感じられ、フレッシュさを演出していました。

👅 Taste

In my tasting, the first attack was a fruity and juicy spread of flavors. Despite the IBU of 35, the bitterness felt more pronounced than expected, though it served as a pleasant accent rather than being off-putting. The mouthfeel was slightly heavy, with spicy elements presumably from wheat.

Retronasally, I detected grapefruit, floral, and fresh lemon notes, with pleasant ester-like fermentation character spreading at the back of the throat upon swallowing, likely from Kveik yeast. This fruitiness harmonized beautifully with the hoppy citrus character, creating a complex and deeply layered flavor.

🍺 Mouthfeel

Medium body with moderate carbonation. The mouthfeel is smooth yet slightly weighty. It goes down quietly into the throat, with refreshing aromas reaching the nose. The aftertaste is dry, with pleasant lemonade-like acidity that lingers long, inviting the next sip.

Nara Brewingについて

Nara Brewingは、2016年に奈良県奈良市で創業したクラフトbreweryです。「世界と奈良をつなぐ」をコンセプトに、地元 素材を活用しながら、国際的な評価を得るbeerを醸造しています。

Beer doesn’t just create good times — it’s a fascinating beverage in its own right. There are said to be over 100 beer styles in the world. Wouldn’t it be exciting if each region brewed its own unique beer? That’s the thought that inspired us to start brewing.

Nara BrewingOfficial Websiteより

総合評価

Nara Brewing ARRIVALは、個人的な印象では、西海岸IPA 力強い苦味と東海岸IPA ホップ構成、そしてあまりAmerican IPAでは見かけないKveik酵母 使用という、それぞれ 要素 バランスが絶妙に取れた素晴らしいbeerでした。

特筆すべきは、SYD MEADと コラボレーションによるアートワーク。beerそ も 品質はもちろん、パッケージデザインまで含めた総合的な体験価値を提供している点で、craft beer 新しい楽しみ方を提案しています。

🛒 Where to Buy

This article contains affiliate links. Purchases may earn us a commission, but this does not affect our reviews or product selections.

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Having lived in Japan until 2024, I documented my craft beer journey across the country — from Hokkaido in the north to Kyushu in the south. From brewery taprooms to local beer pubs, I share reports on Japan’s craft beer culture, including seasonal brews, local-ingredient beers, and brewer interviews. Find more on this tag page.

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「Japan」の記事一覧です。

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📚 References

Reliable sources used for fact-checking:

• Nara Brewing Official Website – https://narabrewing.com （Verified: 2025年7月1日）
• Nara Brewing 公式Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/narabrewing/ （Verified: 2025年7月1日）
• Beer Judge Certification Program (BJCP) スタイルガイドライン – https://www.bjcp.org/style/2021/21A/american-ipa/ （Verified: 2025年7月1日）
• SYD MEAD Official Website – https://sydmead.com/ （Verified: 2025年7月1日）

Information may change without notice. Please check official websites for the latest details.

👉 What is the DDH brewing method for Hazy IPA?

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