Hitachino

Before it became Japan’s most famous microbrewery, Hitachino Nest Beer was a sake brewery: the Kiuchi Brewery. A long story that takes us back two centuries to 1823. At that time, brewing was considered impossible.

This was due to the complex Japanese administration. For almost 200 years, only four breweries were allowed to produce beer. It wasn’t until 1994 that certain regulations and taxes were relaxed, allowing a richer, more complex Japanese beer market to flourish. Kiuchi Brewery entered the fray in that year.

The first batch of what would become Hitachino Nest Beer poured from the vats in 1996. Its European-style ale made a lasting impression with its efficiency and stylistic purity. It was the first stone in their fine edifice! Since then, the brewery – which has moved to Nukada – has added many new recipes, all more original and steeped in Japanese culture.

These include DaiDai Ale, an IPA brewed with a typical Japanese bitter orange. Nipponia, a Belgian-style ale brewed with Japanese Sorachi Ace hops. Red Rice Ale, a rice beer brewed with an ancient variety of Asamurasaki red rice. Or their Ginger Ale, a real ale brewed with lots of fresh ginger. Fruity, fresh, delicious.