A Shocking Strike on Cat Day: GRANDLINE BREWING and VECTOR BREWING Unite for “Biribiri Neko Chop” Beer
Celebrate February 22nd with a Playful and Pungent Sansho Ale, a Zesty Collaboration for Craft Beer Enthusiasts.
On February 22nd, a date affectionately known as “Cat Day” in Japan, a powerful new craft beer is set to pounce onto the scene. Yokosuka-based GRANDLINE BREWING, celebrating its second anniversary, has joined forces with Tokyo’s VECTOR BREWING, famous for its charming cat logo, to create “Biribiri Neko Chop.” This collaborative Sansho Ale promises a truly electrifying experience, designed to deliver a potent, tingling sensation that’s as bold as its name suggests.
The “Biribiri Neko Chop” project is a cornerstone of GRANDLINE BREWING’s “BEER OF WONDER” initiative, a journey into new beer frontiers marking their second anniversary. The choice of February 22nd, with its playful “2-2-2” resembling “nyan-nyan-nyan” (the sound of a cat’s meow), made a cat-themed brew a natural fit. Paying homage to VECTOR BREWING’s popular “Neko Punch” beer, the new creation was fittingly named “Neko Chop.” GRANDLINE BREWING then infused its signature entertainment-driven spirit, adding “Biribiri” – a Japanese onomatopoeia for a tingling, electric feeling – to the beer’s name and concept.
The collaboration saw GRANDLINE BREWING taking the lead on the vibrant, cat-inspired artwork, while VECTOR BREWING handled the intricate brewing process. Together, they developed a unique Sansho Ale recipe, incorporating the distinct Japanese pepper to achieve the beer’s signature “biribiri” flavor. GRANDLINE BREWING, dedicated to exploring “food and gourmet” themes, has recently released innovative beers, including collaborations with Tokyo’s culinary scene and a beer utilizing Mitsukan ponzu. This partnership with VECTOR BREWING, known for its deep understanding of restaurant culture, marks a bold step into the adventurous realm of Sansho Ale.
Taro Igarashi, the brewer from VECTOR BREWING, shared his insights on the creation: “During the brewing process, we used generous amounts of both green and flower sansho peppers. The aroma filled the factory so intensely that I wondered if we had overdone it! While VECTOR has brewed sansho beers before, incorporating GRANDLINE’s input allowed us to craft a beer that is more refreshing and stimulating than anything we’ve made previously. This collaboration was a lot of fun, pushing me beyond my usual boundaries and ways of thinking.”
Product Details and Availability
Product Overview:
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Product Name: Biribiri Neko Chop
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Beer Style: Sansho Ale
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Alcohol Content: 4.0%
Available at:
The “Biribiri Neko Chop” is scheduled for simultaneous tapping from February 21st (Saturday) to 22nd (Sunday) at the following locations:
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VECTOR BEER Omori Store
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VECTOR BEER Kinshicho Store
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VECTOR BEER Kinshicho PARCO Store
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Gyoen Sakaba Vector (Please note: for the pre-opening, hours on Feb 21st are 18:00-20:00 only)
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GRANDLINE BREWING (release date yet to be determined)
This innovative “Biribiri Neko Chop” embodies the spirit of exploration in Japanese craft brewing. By blending traditional Japanese flavors like sansho with the playful aesthetics of “Cat Day,” this collaboration showcases how Japanese breweries are continually pushing boundaries and creating unique taste experiences that resonate with both local and international palates. It’s a testament to the vibrant future of craft beer, where creativity and cultural appreciation brew together.
