From Sapporo | Second Edition of Craft Beer Launched to Expand the Value of Borderless Art
Sapporo-based web production company Gear8 has launched the "EIGHT HOP BEER Spring Edition," the second in its craft beer series developed with borderless artists. This social project aims to expand artistic expression and connect it with society, using a unique brewing approach that translates art into flavor. A portion of sales supports borderless artists, fostering their independence and creating a new culture that links communities, art, and craftsmanship in Hokkaido.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: April 6, 2026 at 19:00
- 🔍 Collected: April 6, 2026 at 10:30
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: April 18, 2026 at 05:34 (283h 3m after Collected)
**EIGHT HOP BEER Spring Edition Launched on April 3, 2026**
Gear8 Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Sapporo, Hokkaido, hereinafter referred to as Gear8), a web production company in Sapporo, has launched the EIGHT HOP BEER Spring Edition as the second installment of its craft beer project created with borderless artists. This project is a social initiative originating from Sapporo, aiming to "expand opportunities for expression through art and create connections with society."
This product is an original beer that features the work "Jellyfish" by borderless artist Rine as its label design, expressing her worldview in its flavor.
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Rine, who loves marine life, is always cheerful and energetic. However, when she sits at her desk, she transforms, completing her artwork with a craftsman's concentration. Her style features branching lines and a pastel touch that seems to fill the canvas. A cherished ritual of hers is to repeatedly rub used pastels on the margins of paper to clean them before putting them away.
**■Continuous Efforts: "Art Connecting with Society"**
At Gear8, we aim to create a mechanism where the expressions of borderless artists naturally reach society through continuous product development, rather than one-off projects.
In this project, we return a portion of the sales to related activities and prioritize delivering art as an "empathy-generating experience" rather than something "to be consumed."
By integrating art into an everyday product like beer, we are designing a channel to naturally reach those who have not had the opportunity to encounter art before.
**■Three Key Points of This Project**
**1. A Rare Brewing Approach Nationwide: Creating "Flavor" from Artworks**
The art depicted on the label is a work by a borderless artist belonging to "Atelier Pengu" in Sapporo. Inspired by its colors, rhythm, and worldview, we adopt a unique brewing method called "From Art to Be Experienced Visually, to Art to Be Tasted," which constructs the beer's aroma and hop composition.
**2. Shedding New Light on the Expressions of Borderless Artists, Who Have Previously Had Limited Opportunities for Exhibition**
A portion of the sales will be used to support the creative activities of borderless artists and to create spaces for their expression. This system allows a "cheers" to support someone's expression and expand a small cycle. It creates opportunities for talents that have been difficult to evaluate in society to shine and pave the way for independence.
**3. Seasonal Series Expanding with Hokkaido's Four Seasons**
EIGHT HOP BEER is developing as a seasonal series themed around Hokkaido's four seasons.
The second installment, Spring Edition "Jellyfish," utilizes the nuances of modern German hops and wet hops to achieve a fresh, just-picked feel and a delicate balance of aroma.
**■Product Information**
The theme this time is "Jellyfish."
Like jellyfish drifting in the water, the beauty of life that exists while swaying in the light, and the dynamism within tranquility, are expressed through both art and flavor.
**■Flavor Characteristics**
This product is brewed with an original recipe designed to synchronize with the impression of the art.
* Fresh, refreshing, and light mouthfeel
* Soft, elegantly spreading floral aroma
* Hop aroma reminiscent of vivid red berries
* Flavor profile designed to change with temperature
* Overall, combining a spring-like brilliance with easy drinkability
Furthermore, by utilizing the nuances of modern German hops and wet hops, it achieves a fresh, just-picked feel and a delicate balance of aroma.
**Product Name:** EIGHT HOP BEER Spring Edition
**Ingredients:** Malt (foreign-produced, domestically produced), hops, coriander
**Alcohol Content:** 5.0%
**Volume:** 355ml
**Storage:** Refrigerate (below 10℃)
**Manufacturer:** Tsuki to Taiyo Brewing Co., Ltd.
**■Purchasing Information**
**Release Date:** Friday, April 3, 2026
**Tsuki to Taiyo BREWING Main Store**
1F Alpha Soseigawa Park Building, South 3 East 1-3, Chuo-ku, Sapporo, Hokkaido 060-0053
**Business Hours:** Weekdays 17:00-23:00 (Last Order 22:00) *Irregular holidays
**Inquiries:** 011-218-5311 (14:30-23:00)
moonsunbrewing.jp
*Sales locations are scheduled to expand sequentially.
*We are looking for retailers. We welcome inquiries from restaurants and retailers who resonate with the purpose of EIGHT HOP BEER. Please contact us via the inquiry form on the official Gear8 website for details.
**■Media Inquiry Information**
We welcome media inquiries regarding the detailed background and story of this project, as well as the artists' creative process. Tastings of EIGHT HOP BEER and interviews with relevant parties can also be arranged. Please feel free to contact us.
**Inquiries regarding this matter:**
**Company Name:** Gear8 Co., Ltd.
**Location:** Iwasa Building 1F, North 3 East 5-5, Chuo-ku, Sapporo
**Public Relations:** Chihiro Okita
**Website:** https://gggggggg.jp/
**■About the EIGHT HOP BEER Project**
EIGHT HOP BEER is a seasonal brand of art x craft beer jointly planned and developed by Gear8 and Tsuki to Taiyo Brewing. Adopting the concept of "From Art to Be Experienced Visually, to Art to Be Tasted," it employs a unique brewing method that constructs flavor starting from artworks. This creates a cycle where talents that have been difficult to evaluate in society can shine.
**[Gear8 Co., Ltd. Overview]**
Gear8 (Gear Eight) is a direction team based in Sapporo, specializing in brand strategy, creative production, and web development. Since its establishment in 2009, it has consistently supported businesses, from carefully uncovering the charms of companies and regions to designing, developing, and operating with a focus on "creating mechanisms for communication." While working on domestic and international projects, it also focuses on community-based initiatives and supporting creators. EIGHT HOP BEER is one of its challenges to create a new culture connecting local communities, art, and craftsmanship.
**[Tsuki to Taiyo Brewing Co., Ltd. Overview]**
Tsuki to Taiyo Brewing is a craft brewery born in Sapporo in 2014. Aiming to be a "brewery rooted in the community," it pursues the creation of unique beers utilizing Hokkaido ingredients. Its directly managed stores offer a wide variety of craft beers that can be enjoyed with food, and it is also cherished as a hub for disseminating local culture. It leads Sapporo's craft beer scene with challenging beer making that combines brewing technology and playfulness.
**[Atelier Pengu Overview]**
Atelier Pengu is an art studio based in Sapporo, where sensitive artists engage in creation at their own pace, fostering diverse expressions. While respecting individual characteristics and worldviews, it develops activities to create opportunities for showcasing artworks and broaden connections with society. The "one-of-a-kind worlds" depicted by its diverse artists create new value through collaborations with companies and projects.