Beer

Compare and contrast craft beers from 16 breweries in Iwate Prefecture at the "Iwate Craft Beer Festival in Morioka 2026"! [Iwate Prefecture]

On October 3rd and 4th, 2026, the "Iwate Craft Beer Festival in Morioka 2026" was held in the plaza in front of the Morioka Museum of History and Culture

This event brings together 16 craft beer breweries from Iwate Prefecture, allowing attendees to enjoy a tasting of Iwate's local beers

What is the "Iwate Craft Beer Festival in Morioka"?

This is a free event organized by the Iwate Craft Beer Association (ICA), which aims to promote Iwate's craft beers to the world

Morioka History and Culture Museum Square
Morioka History and Culture Museum Square

Held since 2024, this year's event, its third iteration, will feature 16 participating breweries and will be held in the largest venue yet: the plaza in front of the Morioka History and Culture Museum

Brewery booth space
Brewery booth space

On the morning of Sunday the 4th, when I visited, it was quite lively, and the rows of brewery tents were selling their signature beers and festival-exclusive beers at a rapid pace

At the headquarters and other locations, customers could purchase tasting sets featuring different breweries, and stamp rally sheets were being distributed
At the headquarters and other locations, customers could purchase tasting sets featuring different breweries, and stamp rally sheets were being distributed

There are two types of value-for-money tasting sets: one featuring a brewery's own unique selection, and another set (200ml x 4 glasses = 1,600 yen) where you can choose from four different breweries selected by the organizers

We also saw many customers enjoying a stamp rally, collecting stamps by making direct purchases at each booth and receiving prizes

Food corner
Food corner

At the food corner, restaurants and other establishments from within the prefecture are offering snacks that pair well with beer, and delicious aromas are filling the venue

Runners passing by, glancing at the festival grounds
Runners passing by, glancing at the festival grounds

Incidentally, the "Iwate Morioka City Marathon 2026" was held on this day, and runners were seen running through the road in front of the venue entrance, with spectators cheering them on with beers in hand

Regarding types of beer, what is the difference between lager and ale?

Different colors of beer are brewed depending on the ingredients used

Beer is broadly classified into two types: "lager" and "ale"

  • Lager: Fermented slowly at low temperatures using "bottom fermentation," with the yeast settling down, and aged for about a month.
  • Ale: Fermented using "top fermentation," where the yeast floats to the top and ferments at a higher temperature, completing the process in 3 to 5 days.
The original Pilsner, "Pilsner Urquell" (Photo: Steven Walling/Wikimedia Commons/CC BY-SA 4.0)
The original Pilsner, "Pilsner Urquell" (Photo: Steven Walling /Wikimedia Commons/CC BY-SA 4.0)

Lager is characterized by a moderate bitterness, a clean taste, and a refreshing finish. Examples include "Pilsner" and the dark beer "Schwarz," and major Japanese beer manufacturers primarily produce this type of beer

Fuller's IPA (Photo: Tom k&e /Wikimedia Commons/CC BY-SA 3.0)

Ales are characterized by their fruity and vibrant aroma from the hops and their rich, complex flavor. Examples include pale ale, IPA (India Pale Ale), and stout (dark beer), and many craft breweries feature them as their standard offerings

The craft beer scene in Iwate is booming right now! Five breweries in the northern part of the prefecture

Logos of the 16 participating companies
Logos of the 16 participating companies

First, let's introduce the five breweries from the Morioka area that we previously mentioned in another article, highlighting the unique characteristics, philosophies, and recommended beers of the 16 breweries that participated in this festival

BAEREN Brewery: 1-chome, Kitayama, Morioka City

Brick building of the Beeren Brewery
Brick building of the Beeren Brewery

A pioneer in Morioka's craft beer scene, this brewery imports brewing kettles that have been used in Germany for over 100 years and is characterized by its traditional beer brewing method using German malt

In addition to a direct sales store attached to the brewery, there are four company-owned restaurants in the city, and the products can be purchased at liquor stores and supermarkets

Bottled and canned beer lined up at "Tastovin" in Morioka City
Canned beer lined up at "Tastovin" in Morioka City

In addition to the standard lager-type "Classic," they also brew "Schwarz," "Weizen," "Pilsner," "Lemon Radler," "Kabosu Radler," "Helles," and "Rauchbier."

In addition to the standard "Classic" beer, this year's festival featured "Festbier," a recreation of the "Märzen" beer drunk at Germany's Oktoberfest, and two types of "Tsunagu Beer," made with 100% ingredients from Iwate Prefecture

Link – Bearen Brewery

NANBU CRAFT BREWERY: Hachimancho, Morioka City

The shop is located behind the shutter on the first floor, and the beer garden is above it
The shop is located behind the shutter on the first floor, and the beer garden is above it

Inspired by the craft beer culture of the American West Coast, this microbrewery was handcrafted by the president of a home renovation company and features a brewery, a shop, and a beer garden where you can enjoy BBQ

At Tastovin in Morioka City, the four standard bottles are neatly lined up
At Tastovin in Morioka City, the four standard bottles are neatly lined up

Popular top-fermented ale beers made with local Iwate ingredients include "Pale Ale," "IPA," "Stout," and "Weizen."

In addition, a limited-edition beer called "Amber Ale," made with hops from Shizukuishi town, was sold at the festival

Link – NANBU CRAFT BREWERY

Akatsuki Brewery Hachimantai Factory: Matsuo Yoriki, Hachimantai City

Using spring water from Mount Iwate and energy from geothermal power generation in Hachimantai, we produce an "organic beer" with a clean, refreshing taste that brings out the delicious flavor of the malt

In addition to the four standard varieties, the festival also sold limited-edition beers, including beer brewed with sake yeast and beer made with tea

Four types of "Dragon Eye" I've drunk before
Four types of "Dragon Eye" I've drunk before

Dragon Eye, the first organic beer in Japan to receive "Organic JAS certification," comes in the following four varieties:

  • Sky (Pilsner): A refined aroma, a clean finish, and easy to drink.
  • Magma IPL (India Pale Lager): A noticeable hop bitterness and a deep finish.
  • Sun (Golden Ale): A refreshing aroma and a clean, crisp taste, with a noticeable malty flavor.
  • Snow (Pale Ale): Fruity aroma, with a good balance of malt sweetness and hop bitterness.

Link – Akatsuki Brewery

Helios Brewery Sawauchi Brewery: Sawauchi, Nishiwaga-cho, Waga-gun

The brewery in Nishiwaga Town, Iwate Prefecture, was once the production base for Ginga Kogen Beer. The facilities have now been taken over by Helios Brewery in Okinawa Prefecture. At Sawauchi Brewery, they brew beer using German malt and hops, and groundwater from Mount Waga

  • Maetel's Weizen: Banana aroma and rich flavor, inspired by Maetel from "Galaxy Express 999".
  • Yukinochikara (White Ale): A refreshing taste with a light acidity and sweetness.
  • The Matagi (Pale Ale): A perfect combination of fruity aroma, malty richness, and bitterness.
  • Blue Star IPA: An easy-to-drink, slightly cloudy IPA with citrus aromas.
  • Blue Sky and Sea Beer: Helios Brewery in Okinawa brews a Weizen with a tropical aroma.

In addition to these, limited-edition beers such as "Festbier" were also sold

Link – Helios Brewery Sawauchi Brewery

BrewBeast: 1-chome, Odori, Hanamaki City

In 2019, they established a brewery in Hanamaki City, Iwate Prefecture, through self-renovation, and started brewing beer. The name "BrewBeast" combines "brew," meaning the process of making beer, with "best and story," representing their desire to create the best possible experience

There's a brewery located in front of JR Hanamaki Station with a direct sales shop called "Lit work place," where you can enjoy fresh craft beer poured directly from the tap

"BAGLE&BEER Lit work place Morioka Station Store" is located in what used to be a waiting area
"BAGLE&BEER Lit work place Morioka Station Store" is located in what used to be a waiting area

Additionally, there is a "BAGLE&BEER Lit work place Morioka Station Store" on the second floor of the JR Morioka Station South Exit building

There were nine types of BrewBeast canned beer sold at Tastovin
There were nine types of BrewBeast canned beer sold at Tastovin

They are challenging themselves to brew beer using a variety of adjuncts, and they always have more than 10 types of IPAs brewed. The following four IPAs were available on this occasion

  • IMPACT: A classic hazy IPA with a striking aroma from four types of hops, a mild bitterness, and a fruity flavor.
  • FIELD TRIP: Enjoy the vibrant aroma of fresh, raw hops from Iwate Prefecture.
  • EN de BER: An amber ale with a smoky flavor from smoked or roasted malt.
  • Mr. Radical: A green ale with the flavor of Muscat grape juice, the aroma of herbs, and a refreshing acidity. 

Link – BrewBeast

The five breweries around Morioka that we introduced this time are also introduced in more detail in this article

The craft beer scene in Iwate is booming right now! Six breweries in southern Iwate Prefecture

In addition to draft beer at the booth, canned and bottled beer will also be sold
In addition to draft beer at the booth, canned and bottled beer will also be sold

Now, let me introduce five companies in the southern part of the prefecture that I mentioned in a previous article

SAKURA BREWERY: 4-chome, Odori, Kitakami City

SAKURA BREWERY, which began brewing in Kitakami City, Iwate Prefecture in 2015, is run by Stephen Michael Butland, a British national who has experience as a hotel chef and brewer in the UK and other countries. The name "Sakura" comes from the cherry blossoms at Kitakami Tenshochi Park and also expresses respect for his wife's grandfather, Koji Sawafuji, who laid the foundation for the park

In addition to British-style beers, they also produce local beers such as "Sakura Ale," which uses yeast collected and cultured from cherry blossoms at Tenshochi Park, and "Hayama Lager," which is brewed with natural water from the Iwasawa district of Kitakami City. In 2020, they also started distilling craft gin

  • Tenshochi Sakura Ale: A classic ale brewed with yeast derived from the cherry blossoms of Tenshochi.
  • BerryliciouS: Made with four types of berries, it offers a rich malt flavor and a fruity hop aroma.
  • EARL GREY PALE ALE: A refreshing and elegant flavor with the aromas of Earl Grey tea and citrus.
  • MELLOW 6PM: A rye IPA with a spicy kick from red chili peppers.
  • MOONLIT IPA: Made with three types of hops, it has a clean and fruity taste.
  • Fresh Casade Crush: A refreshing golden ale made with frozen and crushed hops from Iwate Prefecture.

These six types were on display at the festival

Link – SAKURA BREWERY

315BEER (Saiko Beer): Mizusawa, Oshu City

315BEER is the first craft beer brewery in Oshu City. The owner trained at Sakura Brewery in Kitakami City, and based on the brewing techniques he learned there, he is working on making beer that utilizes local Oshu ingredients. The name "315BEER" is derived from his birthday, March 15th

The store usually sells about four types of beer by the glass, allowing customers to choose and purchase their favorite brand. Five types were available at this festival, allowing attendees to enjoy comparing the different flavors and aromas of each

  • KKBIRD: Job's Tears and Spelt Ale
  • SIESTA: A light Kölsch style that you can gulp down.
  • Fresh & DIRTY: A hazy IPA with strong citrus notes.
  • BEN: A beer made with malt, Oshu-grown "Hitomebore" rice, and American hops.
  • Earthtout: A stout (dark beer) made with coffee beans from a local coffee shop.

Link – 315BEER

Iwate Kura Beer: Tamura-cho, Ichinoseki City

Iwate Kura Beer is a beer brand produced by Sekinoichi Shuzo, a long-established sake brewery in Ichinoseki City. It has received high praise at numerous international beer competitions

In addition to their standard offerings, they also produce seasonal and made-to-order beers, and at the "Kuramoto Restaurant Sekinoichi" located on the premises, you can enjoy beer brewed on-site along with their cuisine

Former workshop and boiler room of Sekiichi Sake Brewery (Photo: Suikotei/Wikimedia Commons/CC BY 4.0)
Former workshop and boiler room of Sekiichi Sake Brewery (Photo: Suikotei /Wikimedia Commons/CC BY 4.0)

Classic options include wheat-based beers such as "Weizen," "Pale Ale," and "Red Ale," as well as "Oyster Stout," a dark beer made with oysters

At this festival, they offered a variety of beers, including "Japanese Spice Sansho Ale" featuring the flavor of Japanese pepper, as well as "Saison," "IPA," "Stout," and "Fresh Hop Golden Ale" made with "Sorachi Ace" hops

Link – Iwate Kura Beer

Tono Beer ZUMONA: Aosasa-cho, Tono City

Tono Beer ZUMONA is a craft beer brand produced by Kamihei Shuzo, a long-established sake brewery in Tono. This brewery, which has continued to produce sake, also brews beer using local hops and water

"Zumona" means "I hear that..." in the Tono dialect. This name, reminiscent of old folktales, embodies the desire to create a beer that people will tell others about, saying, "I hear there's a delicious beer in Tono."

Tastovin's Zumona canned beer section
Tastovin's Zumona canned beer section

The beer is made using hops grown in Tono, one of Japan's leading hop-producing regions, and groundwater from the Hayachine mountain range. This beer, made with local ingredients, is characterized by its rich aroma, smooth texture, and full-bodied flavor. The following beers were served at this festival:

  • Golden Pilsner: A lager made with "IBUKI" hops from Tono.
  • Altbier: A top-fermented beer with an amber color, a savory flavor, and a rich, sweet taste.
  • TONO HOPS LAGER: A hoppy lager (IPL) with the added flavor of three types of hops.
  • HOP HARVEST IPL: A crisp and refreshing IPL made with hops from Tono, also in a lager style.
  • From a hop farmer in Tono: A light Saison-style beer made with 100% "IBUKI" hops.

Link – Tono Beer ZUMONA

Tono Brewing: Central Street, Tono City

This microbrewery is located near JR Tono Station. They utilize locally grown hops and abundant water to create beers that are uniquely suited to Tono, a hop-producing region

The brewery has its own taproom where you can enjoy freshly brewed beer on the spot, and they also offer draft beer for takeaway, so you can enjoy it at home as well

The tasting van offered both the standard IPA and the seasonal "Tono Hop Slugger."
The tasting van offered both the standard IPA and the seasonal "Tono Hop Slugger."

The following four types of beer were offered at this festival:

  • Matsuzaki Town Berry Sour: A limited-edition beer with the refreshing tartness of pesticide-free blueberries from Michi no Oku Farm (Tono City).
  • ESB (Extra Special Bitter): Features aromas of strawberry and fig from Tono-grown "IBUKI" hops.
  • THANKS SAISON: A saison by "IBUKI," with a fruity yet spicy aroma and a refreshing bitterness.
  • IPA: A classic beer with a tropical aroma and refreshing taste thanks to five types of aromatic hops.

Link – Tono Brewing

Rikuzentakata Microbrewery: Kesen-cho, Rikuzentakata City

This brewery is responsible for brewing beer at "Rikuzentakata Fermentation Park CAMOCY." Located in a corner of the facility, which is themed around fermented foods, the brewery produces beer incorporating local Rikuzentakata specialties. You can enjoy it with meals at the attached restaurant, or take it away in bottles or by the glass

The classic "Ipponmatsu Ale" is an IPA featuring the "Miracle Pine Tree," a symbol of reconstruction, on its label. It is characterized by a pleasant bitterness and a subtle aroma reminiscent of pine

Miracle Pine Tree
Miracle Pine Tree

At this festival, the following four types of beer were offered, including "Ipponmatsu Ale."

  • Takada Trail Ale: A classic ale with a clean, refreshing taste.
  • Yuzu White: A white beer made with yuzu grown at its northernmost limit.
  • Hopliner: A fresh aroma brewed with freshly harvested raw hops.
  • Bread Ale: A pale ale made with bread from the bakery inside Kamosee.

Link – Rikuzentakata Microbrewery

The six breweries in southern Iwate Prefecture that we introduced this time are also introduced in more detail in this article

The craft beer scene in Iwate is booming right now! Other breweries

I'll be introducing two breweries that I've previously written about individually, and three breweries that I'm featuring for the first time

Sanriku Beer: Ofunato-cho, Ofunato City

Initially, the company sold beer using an OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) model, outsourcing production to other breweries. However, at the end of 2025, they opened their own brewery and transitioned to a system of brewing their own beer

The brewery also has a taproom where you can enjoy beer brewed on-site

Classic canned beer

A distinctive feature of their beer brewing is the use of local Sanriku products as secondary ingredients. Popular choices include "Shumatsu no Umineko," a Belgian White made with tea leaves from Kesennuma camellias grown in Ofunato, and "Koisuru Saison," a combination of "Northernmost Yuzu" from Rikuzentakata and sansho pepper from Okirai, Sanriku-cho, Ofunato City

Date Otoko IPA, a secondary ingredient, uses "Date Masayume," a brand of rice from Tome, Miyagi Prefecture
Date Otoko IPA, a secondary ingredient, uses "Date Masayume," a brand of rice from Tome, Miyagi Prefecture
  • Date Otoko IPA: One of their classics, offering a light flavor with citrus aromas and a subtle sweetness from rice.
  • Shiosai Session: A dry and refreshing IPA with tropical flavors from New Zealand hops.
  • Around the time of the Yamase wind: A hazy IPA to enjoy the aroma of New Zealand hops.
  • Beyond the Indigo Blue: A dry, spicy, hoppy American bergamot style.

Link – Sanriku Beer

You can find more details about Sanriku Beer's commitment to quality and product lineup in this article

Morning opening: Daijiji-cho, Morioka City

Asahikai factory and direct sales store in Daijiji town
Asahikai factory and direct sales store in Daijiji town

"WHITE STELLA" is a craft beer produced by "Asabiraki," a sake brewery in Morioka City

Based on traditional Belgian white beer, this beer is brewed using a unique recipe. It features a fruity aroma and smooth taste, thanks to the use of wheat from Iwate Prefecture

White Stella, which was once served at the adjoining restaurant "Stella Monte," was available at this festival even though the restaurant has closed

Link – ASABIRAKI

You can find more details about Asakai in this article

Ryusendo Wakka: Iwaizumi Town, Shimohei District

This brewery is run by Izumikin Shuzo, a long-established sake brewery in Iwaizumi town known for its sake "Ryusen Yaezakura." Located within "Ryusendo Wakka," a community hub across from Ryusendo Cave, the brewery produces "Ryusendo Viver," a craft beer that utilizes water from Ryusendo Cave and local ingredients

The lineup includes "Multigrain Weizen" and "Strong Ale," and you can enjoy comparing them in the adjoining taproom. They also offer light meals incorporating local ingredients, such as shumai dumplings made with the local brand pork "Ryusendo Kurobuta," making it a place where you can enjoy the flavors of Iwaizumi along with your beer

At this festival, beers such as "Mixed Grain Weizen," "Reground Ale," and "Pale Ale" were offered

Link – Ryusendo Wakka

NOYMOND BREWING: Otemachi, Ichinoseki City

NOYMOND BREWING in Ichinoseki City is a brewery with a brewery on the first floor and a pub called "Mondo" on the second floor that also serves as its own taproom. The pub always has 6 to 8 kinds of its own brewed craft beer available. You can enjoy it with dishes made with "Hakkinbuta," a brand of pork from Hanamaki, and there is also a self-service all-you-can-drink plan where you can pour your own craft beer and local sake

They actively experiment with new recipes and brew a variety of beers, including IPAs. One example is their collaboration with composer Nobuo Uematsu, known for his music in the Final Fantasy series, with whom they created the dark beer "BLACK MAGE."

At this festival, in addition to Kölsch-style beers and Weizen, "BLACK MAGE" and other beverages were offered

Link – NOYMOND BREWING

GOOD HOPS: Shinkokumachi, Tono City

GOOD HOPS, located in Tono City, a hop-producing region, is a brewery that handles everything from cultivation and processing to beer brewing. Hop researchers, farmers, and brewers collaborate to develop new varieties and research cultivation and processing techniques. This brewery aims to expand the possibilities of Japanese-grown hops by utilizing the aroma and bitterness of the hops they cultivate themselves in their beers

In July 2026, the first standard product using 100% hops from Tono, "HOP FARMERS IPA," was released. At this festival, other limited-edition beers were also sold, including "IWATE HARVEST," a pale ale using 100% malt from Iwate Prefecture and 100% hops from Tono, and "Galaxy Hop Field," a saison combining Australian "Galaxy" and Tono-grown "Cascade" hops

Link – GOOD HOPS

summary

This year marks the third annual "Iwate Craft Beer Festival in Morioka," where you can sample standard beers from various breweries throughout the prefecture, as well as limited-edition beers not available in stores

The date and location for the 4th event in 2027 have not yet been announced, but it is expected to be held on the first Saturday and Sunday of October

This is a highly recommended event where you can compare and taste unique craft beers from Iwate Prefecture

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