Niigata Prefecture has established itself as a land of sake, but it has also become the kingdom of another brewed beverage: craft beer, especially since 1994 when the liquor tax law lowered its requirements by more than a third regarding the minimum volume of beer to be brewed per year. A number of breweries and microbreweries were then established throughout the area, taking advantage of Niigata's pure water and focusing on local and regional characteristics, notably through the use of an evocative name or a memorable logo.
For example, the phoenix that constitutes the logo of Tsumari Beer, the first microbrewery in the city of Tokamachi, symbolizes the goal of this beer: to revitalize the city through this business.
This beer is currently available in 3 variations:
-
A beer made with local buckwheat, whose low hop content reduces its bitterness.
-
A beer with a refreshing finish.
-
A beer with orange peel.
Each brewery brings its own originality, making beers based on Koshihikari rice or Le Lectier pears.
Craft beer is so prevalent in the prefecture that there is a bar dedicated to it at Niigata Station, as well as 2 regular annual events: Craft Beer Land and Craft Beer no Jin.
Cheers