Kanagawa Prefecture's craft beer and expanding Japanese craft beer market

While the craft beer scene has rapidly expanded in recent years, giving rise to many craft beer aficionados all over the world today, it also applies to Japanese craft beer.

Jibiru refers to craft beer in Japan and has slowly gained traction since the 1990s. It was triggered by the revision of the liquor tax law in 1994. In Japan, before the easing of the tax laws, breweries were required to produce at least 2 million liters a year to obtain their license, after which the minimum was lowered to 60,000 liters instead. This greatly opened up the beer market to more microbreweries as they did not have to produce as much craft beer in order to obtain a license, thus abetting the growth of craft beer culture in Japan as well.

The first commercially successful beer production in Japan started in Yokohama, Kanagawa Prefecture. In 1870, Spring Valley Brewery was founded by William Copeland, and beer production followed German brewing techniques. Japan has four predominantly known major breweries: Asahi, Kirin, Sapporo and Suntory. Spring Valley Brewery is the current Kirin and still has its manufacturing plant in Yokohama. In 2011, Spring Valley was revived by Kirin to produce craft beer. Following the growing interest in craft beer, big breweries are also experimenting with their own microbrewing.

Kanagawa Prefecture, located just south of Tokyo, is Japan’s second most populous prefecture and is known for its beautiful nature and picturesque coastlines. Craft beer produced in Kanagawa is offered at Japanese craft beer fairs around the world.

From mid-August to September this year, a Japanese craft beer fair was held at the respective Japan Rail Cafes in Singapore and Tokyo, and from mid-October to mid-November in Taipei in conjunction with Kanagawa Prefecture and the others, highlighting craft beers from several prefectures. The fair was named “JIBIRU TIME! ”-- incorporating the Japanese word for craft beer.

Yokohama Beer’s Hefeweizen and Yokohama Lager along with Kamakura Beer’s Yukari Daibutsu Beer were selected to showcase a small array of Kanagawa Prefecture’s more popular and delicious craft beer.

Yokohama Beer holds multiple awards in various local and international craft beer competitions. Yokohama Lager is their signature and has a beautiful caramel color, offering a balance of bitter hops and fruity sweetness. Hefeweizen, on the other hand, has a creamy and fruity mouthfeel that resembles bananas, with a bold and malty aroma.

Kamakura Beer’s Yukari Daibutsu Beer gleams a beautiful golden-amber and is perfectly light and refreshing, topping off with a dry-hopped citrus finish. It’s easy on the palate, and great even for those who are new to craft beers.

At the Japan Rail Cafe in Singapore, all three were popular with visitors and were all sold out during the period. A special online live event was also held at that venue, featuring Hiroyuki Fujiwara as a guest speaker. He is a well-known journalist in Japan’s local craft beer scene. As a beer connoisseur, he has been deeply engaged in Japan’s craft beer since the beginning of its boom. The live broadcast also introduced the line-up of craft beers and prefectures including Kanagawa, even inviting a few of the makers to elaborate more about their own craft beers, processes and stories, allowing viewers and consumers to appreciate and connect on a more personal level with the makers and the craft beers.

As the craft beer scene continues to flourish, we can anticipate increasingly palatable and innovative beers to join the ranks.

Source: Kanagawa Prefecture Government

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