Originally published on metropolis.co.jp on December 2013
Tokyo-based Nippon Craft Beer is proving itself to be the little beer company that could. Founded at the end of 2011, it launched its first product, Kagua, the following year. Created in Japan and brewed in Belgium, this newcomer went on to win the 2013 Belgian Style Strong Beer Award at the Hong Kong International Beer Awards. That’s no small feat in a country where craft breweries are spreading like mushrooms. Now the company is following through with its promise to “deliver the best beer throughout the world” by expanding its distribution. Kagua Blanc (made with yuzu) and Rouge (made with sansho pepper) are now available at Yokohama Takashimaya and Seibu Ikebukuro, online from the company’s site and Amazon Japan (¥630 per 330ml bottle or ¥7,560 for a set of 12). For those flying home over the holidays, you can savor the brew on ANA first-class through the end of February.
