〈Brewer's Note〉Join Us day 2

We’ve decided to make Join Us again this year.
You could say it’s the "Fan Event day.2" version.

This is a mead we hold very dear to our hearts, created alongside the fans who have always supported ANTELOPE. Out of many charming recipe ideas, the one chosen by popular vote was a sweet mead made with figs and pepper.

Last year we used late-season figs, but this year we used them at their peak. Ishikawa Farm desperately picked them just before they were about to fall due to a typhoon. It is, without a doubt, a gift from nature.

As for the pepper, just like last year, we had fragrant Kampot pepper from Cambodia delivered directly from the source. I’d love to "join us" with some prosciutto or blue cheese. 🕊

And this year, we also dried the fig leaves and infused them.
I wonder if you’ll enjoy this year’s even more complex Join Us? 🎤

〈Lovers→Factory〉

The Kojien dictionary defines a fan as someone who favors a certain field, organization, or individual in sports, theater, film, music, etc. While my heart warms at the thought that there are people in Japan who favor us, there have been many days where I wondered what we would do if there weren't.

With those feelings lingering in the back of my mind, I had been hesitant to host a fan event. But since we’ve been able to run for three years now thanks to your daily support, I felt that if we were going to do it, it had to be this year.

When we opened the lid, we found many applicants from all over the country.

It wasn't just happiness; it was warmth. It felt like a flame was being lit deep in my heart. The day spent with the fans who sparked that flame was irreplaceable, and because we were creating the recipe with all of you, my excitement was even greater.

Figs and black pepper. Sweet. 10% ABV, carbonated.

This is a bottle where we’ve put everything we have into it. Figs are delicious, black pepper is delicious, and mead is delicious. It would make me happy if you felt that way too.

〈Tasting Note〉

Deep gold. From the clear liquid comes the autumnal aroma of figs and the refreshing, slightly smoky quality of top-tier Kampot pepper grown in the soils of Cambodia; this year we’ve extracted an even spicier flavor. The nuances that go beyond just "sweet" remind us all the more of late autumn.
It has pleasant carbonation and a sweetness reminiscent of Japanese confectionery (wagashi). The finish has a hint of sweet bean paste (anko). Complex.

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Style: Specialty

ABV: 10%

Carbonation: Yes

Volume: 500ml

Ingredients: Honey, figs, black pepper (Kampot pepper)

Sweetness (10-point scale): 7 (Sweet)

Serving Temperature: Chilled (4-8℃)

〈Mead making〉

Just like last year, we used the "bochet" style of boiling the honey. While boiling, we infused the figs and pepper together to draw out their aroma and lock that slightly roasted scent into the liquid.

This year’s finish is spicier and makes the pepper flavor easier to perceive.
In the later stages of fermentation, we infused more figs and fig leaves to make it even more complex.

After pasteurization, we added carbonation and bottled it.

〈Label Design〉

We used the same design as last year. However, to distinguish it from last year's, the band indicates it is the Day.2 version.

"About the design"
It feels a little different from before. I thought about drawing a person... but
the meaning that emerged while drawing felt like I was imposing something on the receiver.
In addition, I felt that Antelope’s journey and the encounters with people we’ve had were difficult to express in shape—this is a different kind of change in my heart than usual.
I gathered ideas for something abstract that would remain in the heart but not necessarily the head.
While thinking, I interpreted "join us" as a positive feeling anyone can experience, and wanting a warmth that makes you feel that this is a welcoming place.
An alcoholic beverage that only Antelope could make, because we value the idea that everyone is different.
This mead, born from a fan’s suggestion, is something I believe we all built together.
Each of our own colors. Our colors merging to create a single thing...
I am once again feeling the preciousness of something born from free-spirited thinking.
I scattered many colors—starting with the red of figs, the green of the leaves, and the black of the black pepper—as well as pink, yellow, purple, and blue.
To hold a fan meeting and then actually make the drink... it really is an amazing thing.
I want everyone to laugh and drink together. I hope that even for those who pick up an Antelope drink for the first time, it brings a smile to their face. I hope this design serves as a trigger for that and acts as something that supports your heart.