We've gone to the ends of the earth to find artisan beers, with flavors as fascinating as the stories behind their brewers. We've found that Japan is producing some of the world's best lagers and ales, with a signature quality that is so typical of Japanese food and beverages. Take a look at some of our featured breweries, and let us know if you'd like to place an order!
Yoho Brewing produces some of Japan’s most popular craft beers. In order to separate themselves from the fizzy light beer that is ubiquitous in Japan and the US, they decided to make American and British style beers in cans. The concept of American-style beer brewed in Japan originated with Yoho’s founder, Keiji Hoshino, who fell in love with American beer when he was in the country as an exchange student. Since its inception in 1996, Yoho has mostly focused on brewing drinkable ales with artisan ingredients and the hard, mineral-heavy water that naturally occurs in their brewery’s location near Mt. Asama. Their Yona Yona Pale Ale has received an almost cult-like following from craft beer enthusiasts in Japan, but it is their smoky-yet-smooth Porter, Tokyo Black, that has taken over the hearts of craft beer lovers in America. Crack open a can of Yoho Beers next time you are at a nice Japanese restaurant. If the food you are eating is so impeccably crafted, why shouldn't your beer be as well?
Hideji Beer is a local craft brew from the southern Japanese island of Kyushu. They offer traditional beer styles well-known throughout the world, as well as original brews crafted with local ingredients from Miyazaki, Japan. Hideji Beer shares many characteristics of Southern Kyushu. Tradition, artistry, and the natural surroundings combine to create a wonderful and truly Japanese “local” craft beer.
Hideji makes homemade yeast at their in-factory laboratory, which was established in 2006. Their yeast culturing skills were honed through our craftsmanship in the production of sake, using many types of yeast and ensure the freshness of every batch.
The consistent quality and drinkability of their beer comes from an intimate knowledge of what types of yeast yield the best brew.
Widly considered one of the best craft breweries in the world, Swan Lake Brewery was founded in 1997 in the mountainous regions of Niigata Prefecture. Located near Lake Hyouko and Gozu Mountain, the geographic beauty of this region truly reflects on the beers they hand craft. By using high-quality local ingredients and the pristine "Echigo-Meisui" (Pure Niigata Spring Water), Swan Lake is brewing some of the most unique and delicious craft beers in all of Japan. Swan Lake beers have won multiple domestic as well as international competitions, including awards in several categories at the World Beer Cup, which is held every other year. Have a "kanpai" toast with one of the very few Barleywines to ever make it out of Japan to the US craft beer market! The campus of Swan Lake Brewery itself is a worthy destination. With a beautiful array of gardens and restored buildings dating back to the Meiji era, this brewery is a fine addition to the world of beer. Even if you don’t think you like Japanese beer, Swan Lake Brewing will win you over with their quality ingredients, their attention to detail, and their commitment to excellence.
