Source: © 2020, OGA BREWING | © Shirow Masamune / Production I.G. / Kodansha / Ghost in the Shell: SAC_2045 Production Committee

Ghost in the Beer: OGA Brewing & “Ghost in the Shell: SAC_2045” collaborate on IPAs

"Ghost in the Shell: SAC_2045,” the cyberpunk manga and anime franchise's first full installment in 3D computer graphics, debuted exclusively on Netflix on April 23rd with much fanfare, and was finally introduced in English dub earlier this month. Directed by Kenji Kamiyama and Shinji Aramaki at Production I.G and Sola Digital Arts, and with character designs by Ilya Kuvshinov, GITS SAC_2045 distinguishes itself from previous SAC series in style and substance, while continuing many of its overarching themes.

As expected for such a popular series, there have already been numerous collaboration products ranging from eyewear, apparel, accessories and digital art. High-quality products, but nothing too surprising there. Perhaps a bit more unusual was a collaboration with VR platform Cluster, au and the Shibuya 5G Entertainment Project for a special cultural event called Shibuya Kokaku Night by au 5G.

But the latest collaboration is rather unexpected.

GITS SAC_2045 meets OGA Brewing

"Ghost in the Shell: SAC_2045" worked together with OGA Brewing to create two original IPAs inspired by the themes of the show: "H-HUMAN" and "P-POSTHUMAN"

OGA Brewing is an excellent craft brewery based in the Mitaka City of Tokyo, which also happens to be where Production I.G offices are located. In addition to brewing their own originals such as Mitaka Pale Ale, Mitaka Wheat Ale and Kichijoji IPA, they also team up with other companies for branded labels.

We contacted OGA Brewing to find out how this unusual collaboration came about. It all started when Scivone LLC, a Mitaka-based design company which was in charge of the project's design, ordered some original labeled beer from OGA Brewing for the completion party of a certain anime. One thing led to another, and the idea for the project began to coalesce.

As it turns out, doing a collaboration with beer wasn't such a stretch. In the original film by Mamoru Oshii, there's a memorable scene of Major Motoko Kusanagi drinking a beer, and the first episode of SAC_2045 perhaps pays homage to that with an equally memorable scene.

As for the content and design of the beer, they were guided by the series. They considered the theme of "connectivity and disconnection along the axis of human and posthuman" and eventually came up with the question: "What kind of beer would a posthuman enjoy?" This question motivated the project and resulted in two distinctive IPAs:

H-HUMAN

Expressing a clear and brilliant moment free of noise, this beer is in a classic Indian Pale Ale style. Making abundant use of flavorful hops, it has a harmonious taste blending just the right touch of bitterness and bright citrusy notes.

P-POSTHUMAN

Expressing an eternal admiration for chaos, this dark IPA uses roasted barley to bring out fragrance and bitterness. Its complex flavor profile blends the deep, rich aroma of wheat with a lingering roast-like aftertaste, for a memorable experience.