Kyoto is actually a craft beer town? Beer is the best way to survive the hot summer in Kyoto!

Bread and coffee are often talked about as foods and beverages that are consumed in Kyoto. Although Kyoto has a strong image of Japanese-style food, new famous bread and coffee shops are being created one after another, and bread and coffee events are actually very popular.

Did you know that there is a new wave following the bread and coffee trend? It is craft beer, perfect for this hot Kyoto summer!

In this issue, we will introduce craft beers made in Kyoto.

What is craft beer?

So what is "craft beer" anyway?
The name “Craft Beer” is derived from the word "craft". The name "Craft" is derived from the word "craft.

So how is this different from the "microbreweries" that boomed in the 1990s?
In 1994, the law was changed to allow a "minimum of 60 kiloliters" of beer to be brewed in a year. This made it possible for small breweries to brew beer, and "microbreweries" were born.
At that time, many local beers were made for town promotion or as souvenirs, and because some beers were less tasty than today's beers, the image of "local beers are not tasty..." spread, and the local beer culture almost declined.

Then, in the 2000s, craft beer took off in the U.S., and microbreweries once again came into the spotlight, and a new term, "craft beer," was introduced to differentiate it from "microbreweries.
In Japan, there are no laws regarding size, so some craft beers are produced by major breweries. Also, it is not necessarily necessary to use local ingredients. Craft beer is made in the spirit of trying to create our own interpretations of beers from around the world.

What is the "ale" that you see so often?

Another thing I'm curious about is the type of "ale" that we often see in the names of craft beers, etc.
How is it different from the "lager" on the labels of beers from major manufacturers?

The answer is the difference in manufacturing methods.
There are two main types of beer: lager and ale, which differ in the yeast used.
Lager uses lager yeast (bottom fermenting yeast), which, as the name “bottom” implies, sinks to the bottom of the tank at the end of fermentation, resulting in a dry and refreshing beer.

Ales, on the other hand, use ale yeast (top-fermenting yeast). The term “top-fermenting” is used because the yeast rises to the surface at the end of fermentation.
Ale is characterized by a shorter aging and fermentation period than lager, making it an easier beer to produce for small-scale brewers who produce in small batches. That is why ales are mainstream in craft beer.

Now, it's time for Kyoto's craft beers to make their appearance!

Kyoto Craft Beer (1) Kyoto Beer "Pale Ale

Kyoto Beer (Kyoto Mugishu) is a beer produced and sold by Kizakura, a major sake brewer in Kyoto, which was founded in 1995. Kizakura is a sake brewing company founded in 1925, and is the brewer of that "Kizakura" brand.
The pale ale is brewed with Fushimizu, a famous water used for brewing sake, and is characterized by its light golden color, gorgeous aroma, and refreshing taste. The bitterness is not that strong, and the beer is light and refreshing even among craft beers. It is a simply delicious beer, making it ideal for a mealtime drink.

Kyoto Craft Beer 2) Yellow Cherry Blossom "Devil's Beer

The next beer is also made by Yellow Cherry Blossom.
The name “Red Session IPA” comes from the fact that even the normally scary devils can't help but drink too much because it tastes so good. Red Session IPA“ is a ”session IPA," a style of beer that is easier to drink than IPA. The alcohol content is kept below 5%, and the amount of hops used is reduced to ease bitterness and improve drinkability.
Indeed, the tropical aroma of hops is impressive! And since you can also enjoy a moderate bitterness, it is a perfect match for fried foods, meat dishes with a robust flavor, and spicy dishes!

Kyoto Craft Beer ③Ichijoji Brewery "FIND CACAO

Next up is FIND CACAO by Ichijoji Brewery in Sakyo-ku, Kyoto.
Ichijyoji Brewery is Kyoto's first microbrewery, which began brewing in 2011.
It started with the aspiration of Shunsuke Takagi, a psychiatrist and director of the Takagi Clinic in Kyoto City, that working would help people with mental disorders recover and support their employment, which led him to beer after various searches.
We make a wide variety of beers, from the royal road to those using Kyoto ingredients such as Saikyo Miso and Aotani Ume.
FIND CACAO is a beer brewed by Ichijyoji Brewery for Good Nature Station, a commercial facility in Kawaramachi, using cacao husk (the outer skin of the cacao bean, which is discarded in large quantities each time chocolate is made).
Ichijyoji Brewery also had a high affinity with the concept of "utilize without discarding" and the policy of valuing the "spirit of shimatsu".
In the mouth, a fruity, pleasant bitterness from the hops spreads. After the hop flavor passes through, the sweet aroma of cacao comes in softly. The full-bodied flavor is so strong that I thought it would go well with, for example, an adult cream soda with vanilla ice cream on top.

Ichijyoji Brewery's beer is available at "BEER PUB ICHIYA" near Kawaramachi Station. You can also compare the beers as shown in the photo above.
The original dishes using beer are also excellent and are fiercely recommended!

Kyoto Craft Beer 4: Kyoto Brewery "Ippon Senshin

The next beer is Kyoto Brewing's "Ippon Senshin".
Kyoto Brewery is a craft beer producing brewery located in Minami-ku, Kyoto, Japan, which started its business activities in early 2015. It was founded by Benjamin from Wales, England, Chris from the US, and Paul from Canada. As a brewery specializing in "Belgian & American" style beers, they offer original craft beers with a new interpretation of the Belgian tradition with a touch of American flair.

Uniquely Sincerity is an IPA-style beer brewed with Bergen yeast and American hops.
When I drank it, I did not feel the strong bitterness that I usually feel in IPAs, probably due to the citrus aroma of the hops and the fruity nuance of the Bergen yeast. It was dry and refreshing, but not too bitter, which I really liked.
Incidentally, the unique product name was given to the craft beer industry to express the spirit of the industry, as many people work hard in the craft beer industry.

On weekends, you can enjoy fresh beer at the taproom (bar inside the brewery) attached to the brewery, so check out the official website if you are interested!

Kyoto Craft Beer 5: Kyoto Tango Craft Beer "Weizen

The last beer is Weizen, a Kyoto Tango craft beer.
Kyoto Tango Craft Beer is a craft beer brewed at Tango Kingdom "Shoku-no-Miyako," one of the largest roadside stations in western Japan, located in Kyotango City, northernmost part of Kyoto.
Brewed by artisans who have been making craft beer for about 20 years, it won the Gold Award at the International Beer Competition in 2013. It has also won other awards from around the world.
Weizen" is a wheat malt beer with a refreshing taste and fruity aroma reminiscent of bananas. It has a low bitterness, so it is favored even by those who do not like beer. The label is a gorgeous bottle with a depiction of the "Princess Manin" (Empress Koutoku, the 36th Emperor of Japan), making it a perfect souvenir or gift.

Where can I buy one in Kyoto?

The beers introduced here can be purchased at each manufacturer's website, etc.
The author also often purchases from the following stores

• Karasuma Oike: "Sake no Yamaya Karasuma Oike" (yellow cherry blossoms, etc.)
• ■Kawaramachi: "Good Nature Station" (Kyoto Brewery, Ichijyoji Brewery, etc.)
• Kyoto Station: Lopia Kyoto Yodobashi (Kyoto Brewery, etc.), Tomiya Kyoto Station (Kyoto Tango Craft Beer, Kinshi Masamune, etc.), Harbeth Food Specialty Store (Kizakura, etc.)

In particular, "Food Specialty Store Harbeth" in Kyoto Station offers a wide variety of Kyoto souvenirs, onigiri (rice balls), boxed lunches, etc., making it very convenient to do all your shopping at once before boarding the train.

Kyoto Brewery and Takara Shuzo's beers are available!

We have introduced beers from five different makers, all of which are rich in individuality, with a great variety of bitterness, aroma, and alcohol content. No two beers taste the same. Even if you are not good at beer, you may be able to find a beer that you like, which is the great appeal of craft beer.

You can drink it in your room at your guesthouse or hotel, enjoy it while traveling on the bullet train, or buy it as a souvenir or memory of your trip to Kyoto.
We invite you to taste the craft beer from Kyoto and experience the craft beer wave happening in Kyoto!

◆Sake no Yamaya Karasuma Oike
Address: Medina Karasuma Oike 1F, 592 Bano-cho, Sanjo-Agaru, Karasuma-Dori, Nakagyo-ku, Kyoto-shi, Kyoto
Phone number: 075-254-4733
Business hours: 10:00-22:00

Good Nature Station
Address: 318-6, Inari-cho, 2-chome, Shijo-sagaru, Kawaramachi-Dori, Shimogyo-ku, Kyoto-shi, Kyoto
Phone number: 075-352-3712
Business hours: 10:00 - 20:00

◆Ropia Kyoto Yodobashi store
Address: 590-2 Higashishiokoji-cho, Shichijo-sagaru, Karasuma-dori, Shimogyo-ku, Kyoto-shi, Kyoto
Phone number: 075-353-0298
Business hours: 10:00 - 20:00

◆Kyoto Sake Shop Tomiya Kyoto Station
Access: JR Kyoto Station West Exit 2F, North-South Free Passage (South side), in Miyako, Kyoto's famous sweets and vegetable restaurant
Phone number: 75-365-8725
Hours of operation: 8:30 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.

◆Food Specialty Store Harbeth
Address: 31-1 Higashishiokoji Kamadono-cho, Shimogyo-ku, Kyoto-shi, Kyoto Kintetsu Meitengai Miyakomichi
Phone number: 075-681-0486
Hours of operation: 7:00-22:00