[Yamagata Prefecture] “Enjoy the unique taste of Yamagata Prefecture’s craft beer!”

Yamagata is famous for producing cherries such as ``Sato Nishiki,'' and craft beer is made using cherries and apples as secondary ingredients.

We will introduce seven breweries in the prefecture, including long-established breweries that have been around since the 20th century and up-and-coming breweries.

Gassan Beer (Gassan Beer: Nishikawa Town)

Roadside Station Nishikawa Gassan Meisuikan, located along National Route 112, began brewing beer in 1998, and serves freshly brewed beer at the on-site restaurant.

The orthodox beer is made using 100% malt, no heat treatment, no filtration, and is based on the ``Beer Purity Law.''

Gassan Beer's recommended standard beer

Pilsner: Golden color with a good balance of bitterness and flavor, a pleasant throat and fine bubbles.

Münchner: The aroma of roasted malt, moderate bitterness, and the umami of malt.

Laojo: Beer with an addictive smoke aroma and malt flavor smoked with cherry blossoms

INFORMATION
  • Name Gassan Beer
  • Address 2304 Mizusawa, Nishikawa-cho, Nishimurayama-gun, Yamagata Prefecture
  • Phone number 0237-74-4582
  • URL Gassan Beer (Gassan Meisuikan)
  • Google map　

Tendo Brewery (Tendo City)

Established in 1999 on the grounds of the hot spring inn ``Cherry Peach Flower Yubo Ichiraku'', the beer is created with the concept of ``a glass of beer after taking a bath.''

The taste has become popular, and you can now order it online.

Tendo Brewery's recommended standard beer

Soba Dry: Perfect for after taking a bath, fragrant soba flavor and refreshing taste.

Angel's Cherry: Popular with women for its sweet and sour taste and fruity aroma of "Sato Nishiki"

INFORMATION
  • Name Tendo Brewery
  • Address 2-2-21 Kamatahonmachi, Tendo City, Yamagata Prefecture
  • Phone number 023-654-3311
  • URL Tendo Brewery
  • Google map　

Brewlab.108 (Brewlab Touhachi: Tendo City)

This brewery was opened in 2020 at Shogimura Tendo Tower, and the name of the brewery reflects the desire to release as many craft beers as 108 worldly desires.

Craft beers are made using seasonal fruits such as local apples as well as La France and grapes.

Brewlab.108’s recommended standard beers

#005 Apple Adam & Eve: 50% wheat malt weizen, fruity scent of 3 kinds of Tendo apples

#008 Date Yeast of Eden: Date pale ale with hop bitterness and rich aroma.

INFORMATION
  • Name Brewlab.108
  • Address: Shogi Mura Tendo Tower, 2-2-21 Kamata Honmachi, Tendo City, Yamagata Prefecture
  • Phone number 023-654-3311
  • No URL
  • Google map　

Zao Brewery (Yamagata City)

This is Yamagata City's first microbrewery, and uses Zao's spring water to brew unique beers, including Japan's first pure white beer.

At the on-site restaurant, you can sample four types of freshly brewed beer and enjoy dishes made with local ingredients.

Recommended classic beer from Zao Brewery

SNOW MONSTER: White ale made from wheat malt, has a refreshing and gentle taste with less bitterness and a slight sweetness.

YAMAGATA Sakuranbo ALE: Cherry aroma and sweetness, light and easy to drink

MATSUNOMORI ALE Re-fresh: Rich taste and richness, refreshing so you won't get tired of drinking it.

ZAO CLASSIC IPA: A classic IPA with an alcohol content of 7% with a stimulating bitterness and aroma of hops.

INFORMATION
  • Name Zao Brewery
  • Address: 1096-18 Minamisaka, Zao Ueno, Yamagata City, Yamagata Prefecture
  • Phone number 023-666-8151
  • URL Zao Brewery
  • Google map　

Nagai Brewery Craftsman (Nagai City)

Since 2018, we have been brewing pale ale made with Nagai hops and groundwater from the Asahi Mountains, and using local edible wildflowers as secondary ingredients.

The groundwater in the Asahi Mountain Range is extremely soft with a hardness of 18, and its pleasant texture is utilized in the beer.

Recommended classic beer from Nagai Brewery Craftsman

Hyō (Pale Ale): The moderate acidity of the wild plant Purslane goes well with Japanese cuisine.

Kukitachi (IPA): The aroma and bitterness of hops blends with the bitterness of kukitachi, making it a good match for meat dishes.

Kinako (Pale Ale): Hop aroma followed by soybean aroma, sweetness and richness.

INFORMATION
  • Name Nagai Brewery Craftsman
  • Address: 677-11 Izumi, Nagai City, Yamagata Prefecture
  • Phone number 0238-87-1600
  • URL Nagai Brewery Craftsman
  • Google map　

Gokuraku Beer Honpo (Yonezawa City)

Founded in 2016, the beer is made using Yonezawa's delicious water and apples and silkworms.The beer bottle label features an illustration by Laswell Hosoki, the manga artist behind Sake no Hosomichi.

The on-site restaurant serves Yonezawa beef dishes that go well with freshly brewed beer, and the beef bone ramen is recommended as a finishing touch.

Recommended classic beer from Gokuraku Beer Honpo

Tateyama Castle: Easy-drinking apple beer with a refreshing aroma of Yonezawa apples and a mild bitterness.

Gokotai: A mildly sweet dark beer where you can enjoy the bitterness of Yonezawa silkworms and hops.

INFORMATION
  • Name Gokuraku Beer Honpo
  • Address: 2-3-18 Chuo, Yonezawa City, Yamagata Prefecture
  • Phone number 0238-40-0291
  • URL Gokuraku Beer Honpo
  • Google map　

Yonezawa Jacks Brewery (Yonezawa City)

The owner opened the business in 2018 after being impressed by the deliciousness of his American friend Jax's home-brewed beer.

In addition to the four standard types of beer, we are actively working on brewing many limited edition beers.

Recommended classic beer from Yonezawa Jacks Brewery

Golden Ale: Easy to drink with a refreshing golden color and a slight citrus aroma.

Pale Ale: An ale with a refreshing hop aroma and a refreshing bitterness.

IPA: Good balance of tropical fruit aroma and firm bitterness

Session IPA: Fruity aroma with strong bitterness, low alcohol and easy to drink

INFORMATION
  • Name Yonezawa Jacks Brewery
  • Address: 5471 Rizan, Yonezawa City, Yamagata Prefecture
  • Phone number 0238-33-9558
  • URL Yonezawa Jacks Brewery
  • Google map　

Summary (craft beer event information)

In Yamagata Prefecture, there are many beer events held by breweries, but there are no major events where you can enjoy craft beers from all over the country.

However, breweries from inside and outside the prefecture sometimes set up stalls during the Hanagasa Festival, so be sure to check them out.

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