Authentic Craft Beer with the Flavor of Ehime Blood Oranges is Born

L.S.M. Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Matsuyama, Ehime; President: Hideki Mukai; hereinafter "the Company") will launch "Vampire Blood Orange Session IPA," a craft beer and the fifth product in its proprietary "Vampire" brand using Ehime-grown blood oranges, on Friday, June 5, 2026. This craft beer was born from the passion of a long-established liquor store for blood oranges and a fateful connection with Garyu Brewing, a craft brewery in Ozu City, Ehime.

■ About the Vampire Brand — Delivering Ehime's Blood Oranges in Various Forms
The Company's "Vampire" brand features products centered around Ehime-grown blood oranges. Ehime, known as the citrus kingdom, accounts for over 90% of domestic blood orange production. The blood oranges grown on the steep slopes of the ria coast in the Nanyo/Uwajima region are particularly notable, as the environment resembles that of their native Italy. The brand was created with the desire to deliver this charm to more people in more ways. To date, it has released four items: blood orange juice, blood orange umeshu (plum liqueur), craft cola, and dressing. The "Blood Orange Session IPA" is the fifth in the series and the brand's first craft beer.

■ Development Background — An 18-Year-Old Impression and the Return of the Craft Boom
The Company's passion stems from President Mukai's childhood experiences growing up with citrus, as his grandfather owned a mandarin orange grove. He first encountered blood oranges about 20 years ago, captivated by the vivid red color of a blood orange umeshu. This sparked a challenge to fulfill his dream of creating products using Ehime's citrus. Starting with blood orange juice in 2013, he later developed blood orange umeshu with a local sake brewery, followed by craft cola and dressing in 2023. Amidst a recent increase in craft breweries in Ehime and a second craft beer boom, the idea of expressing blood orange in beer emerged. The project came to fruition when his knowledge of beer as a liquor store owner combined with the Vampire brand's passion for blood oranges.

■ Collaboration with Garyu Brewing — A Joint Development Born from Connection
Manufacturing is handled by Garyu Brewing, based in Ozu, Ehime. Under the theme of "Craft Beer x Town Revitalization x Disability Welfare," their local beer is carefully brewed in a renovated red-brick warehouse from the Taisho era and distributed nationwide. The companies already had a business relationship, but their bond deepened when Garyu Brewing's new craft beer bar in Matsuyama began carrying Vampire brand products. Sharing a mutual interest and a common desire to express Ehime blood oranges in beer, the collaboration was realized after Garyu Brewing proposed they create a beer together. The resulting beer will be handled by both companies: Garyu Brewing will serve it on tap at its Matsuyama bar, while the Company will serve it on tap and sell 330ml bottles at its own establishments. Wholesale to other local restaurants is also planned.

■ Product Features — An Authentic Session IPA that Impresses Beer Lovers
A "Session IPA" balances drinkability with authenticity. It retains the vibrant hop aroma of an IPA while keeping the alcohol content low at 4.0%. The characteristic sweetness of blood oranges harmonizes with a moderate hop bitterness, offering a solid mouthfeel and a refreshing aftertaste. Using the Moro variety from Ehime, it has a rich, mellow citrus aroma. A blend of citrus-scented hops makes it enjoyable for both beer aficionados and beginners. The label features an illustration of the Nanyo region's ria coast and terraced orange groves.

■ Comment from Company President Hideki Mukai
"It has been about 20 years since I first encountered Ehime blood oranges. As a liquor store owner, I have been creating products with a focus on Ehime produce, wanting to share their appeal with as many people as possible. Thanks to our connection with Garyu Brewing in Ozu, my dream of expressing blood oranges in beer has come true. Without overthinking it, I want to deliver a bottle that is fun to drink and brings happiness. I hope people will enjoy the flavor of Ehime casually and heartily."

■ Product Overview
Product Name: Vampire Blood Orange Session IPA
Category: Happoshu
ABV: 4.0%
Ingredients: Barley malt, blood orange (Ehime), wheat malt, hops, etc.
Price (at our store): Draft (250ml): ¥800 (tax incl.), Bottle (330ml): ¥880 (tax incl.)

■ Sales Information
Launch Date: Friday, June 5, 2026. Available at Mukai Saketen/KAKUUCHI MUCCA, STAND SEVENs GARYU BREWING, etc. Future expansion to Matsuyama restaurants and online sales is planned.

■ Launch Commemoration Event (Media Welcome)
An unveiling event will be held on Sunday, June 7, 2026, from 12:00 at Commons in Matsuyama.