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[Craft beer from Aomori Prefecture] 5 local beers in Honshu that are the northernmost local beers!

Aomori Prefecture is the top producer of apples in Japan, and cider is popular there. Craft beer popularity was slow to pick up until recently, perhaps due to the fact that the prefecture also has many nationally renowned sakes

However, in recent years, ambitious breweries have been popping up one after another, and it is becoming possible to enjoy unique craft beers

Swastika and Barley Droplets (Oma Town)

The head priest of Sotokuji Temple, located in Oma, at the northern tip of the Shimokita Peninsula, an area famous for its pole-and-line tuna fishing, brews the sake at the "Bicode Link B.S" brewery built on the temple grounds using sacred spring water from Mount Osore

The chief priest says that he started making local beer at the temple because the sacred spring water, "Longevity Water," was delicious, and the temple also produces wine and beers such as "Osorezan Beer" through contract brewing

Recommended classic beers from Manji and Mugi Shizuku

  • Pale Ale : The first ale the head priest made had a fruity acidity and a refreshing taste.
  • Pilsner : Strong aroma and flavor from Czech hops, with a refreshing bitterness
  • Lager : Fermented and aged in the bottle using yeast, it has a deep color, fruity aroma and a mellow richness.
  • Bitter : Hop bitterness is strong, but the aftertaste is clean.
  • Stout : A rich, full-bodied Irish-style dark beer
  • Apple : The scent of apple hits you first, with a subtle sweetness and a clean, refreshing aftertaste.

Ugo Beer Manji・Mugi Shizuku ＜Information＞

  • Name: Ugo Beer Manji・Mugi Shizuku (Suttokuji Bicode Link B・S)
  • Address: 93 Okudo, Oma-machi, Shimokita-gun, Aomori Prefecture, 039-4602
  • Phone number: 0175-37-3342
  • Official URL: Ugo Beer Manji Mugi Shizuku (Sutokuji Temple)

Google Map

Be Easy Brewing (Hirosaki City)

Founder Gareth Burns began brewing beer in Hirosaki City after retiring from the Air Force while stationed at Misawa Air Base, and many of the beers he brews are named in the Tsugaru dialect

They also have a hop field and a vegetable patch that serves vegetables in the taproom, and are committed to pesticide-free farming using malt grains as fertilizer

The first floor of the building is the brewery, and the second floor is the taproom "Gareth's Hideout," where you can buy beer by weight and enjoy fresh beer

Be Easy Brewing's recommended classic beers

  • Debbie's Pale Ale : Named after Gareth's mother, this beer has a good balance of aroma, bitterness, and aftertaste.
  • A refreshing IPA with a refreshing bitterness and aftertaste, and a gorgeous aroma that changes with time and temperature.
  • Hegoma (Busy) IPA : A hazy beer with a strong bitterness, spicy rye flavor, and a hoppy aroma.
  • Ray's Milk Stout : A dark beer that suits Japanese tastes, similar to iced coffee with milk.
  • Aomori Ale : This Aomori restaurant-exclusive ale has a smooth taste and is easy to drink. It can be purchased in shops.

Be Easy Brewing＜Information＞

  • Name: Be Easy Brewing (Gareth's Hideout)
  • Address: 2F, 5-7-9 Matsugaeda, Hirosaki City, Aomori Prefecture, 036-8042
  • Phone number: 0172-78-1222
  • Official URL: Be Easy Brewing

Google Map

Aomori Brew Pub (Aomori City)

The first brewery to open in Aomori City in the summer of 2021 is an affiliate of Be Easy Brewing in Hirosaki

You can see the brewing process through the glass, and the beers made with local ingredients are named after cities in Aomori

In addition to freshly brewed beer, you can also drink bottled and canned beer sold in the store as a "Kakuuchi" (drinking at the counter)

Aomori Brew Pub's recommended classic beers

  • Yasutaka American Pale Ale : A refreshing pale ale named after its location, Yasukata, that is likely to become a staple.
  • First Batch English IPA : Although the alcohol content is high at 7.5%, the bitterness is mild and easy to drink.
  • Marron Coffee Porter : A dark beer with a black coffee-like flavor

Aomori Brew Pub＜Information＞

  • Name: Aomori Brew Pub
  • Address: Gareth Building 2F, 1-5-11 Yasukata, Aomori City, Aomori Prefecture, 030-0803
  • Phone number: 0177-11-8254
  • Official URL: Aomori Brew Pub

Google Map

Hachinohe Beer (Hachinohe City)

This is a new microbrewery that opened in 2021. The founder, who was impressed by authentic Weizen in Germany, was inspired by the craft beer boom in America and started a brewery in his hometown of Nango, Hachinohe City

The brewery is located in Nango, a mountain village famous for hosting one of Japan's leading jazz festivals, and the beer is brewed in the great outdoors

Hachinohe Beer's recommended classic beers

  • Hazy IPA : A strong tropical fruit aroma from six types of hops, with a low bitterness and easy-to-drink IPA.
  • Golden Lite Ale : Made with Aomori rice, it has a light, easy-to-drink taste and a fruity citrus aroma.
  • Weizen : Mild acidity with little bitterness, and a banana-like aroma unique to white beer.
  • Vanraure Golden Lite Ale : A collaboration with Hachinohe's soccer team. A light, bitter taste.

Hachinohe Beer <Information>

  • Name: Hachinohe Beer (Kaneku Brewery Co., Ltd.)
  • Address: 14-2 Nozawayashikizoe, Nango, Hachinohe City, Aomori Prefecture, 031-0111
  • Phone number: 0178-38-5474
  • Official URL: Hachinohe Beer (Kaneku Brewery)

Google Map

OIRASE BREWERY (Towada City)

Since 1997, this brewery has been brewing four classic beers using the "Oirase Raw Water," which springs up near the Oirase Stream that flows out of Lake Towada

There is a restaurant directly managed by the brewery on the premises where you can enjoy freshly brewed beer while enjoying stone oven dishes such as pizza, or an outdoor BBQ

OIRASE BREWERY's recommended classic beers

  • Pilsner : A golden-colored beer with a refreshing taste, featuring the aroma and bitterness of hops and malt.
  • Dark Lager : A dark beer with a sweet aroma of roasted malt and a clean aftertaste.
  • Amber Lager : A mellow amber-colored beer with a well-balanced aroma of hops and malt.
  • Weizen : A white beer with a fruity aroma of wheat malt, little bitterness, and a light mouthfeel.

OIRASE BREWERY＜Information＞

  • Name: OIRASE BEER Brewery & Restaurant (Oirase Roman Park)
  • Address: 39-1 Okusesekimichi, Towada City, Aomori Prefecture, 034-0301
  • Phone number: 0176-27-1317
  • Official URL: OIRASE BREWERY

Google Map

summary

There are no large-scale beer events in Aomori, but each brewery holds their own events

It seems that there will be more new events in the future, so why not check it out and visit?

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