Even Germans are impressed! Explore the appeal of Minoh Beer, a craft beer that has captivated the world. Enjoy exclusive gourmet food at the brewery and flagship store.

Minoh City, located in the mountains of Hokusetsu, is an area so rich in nature that it's hard to believe it's only about 30 minutes by train from the center of Osaka.

There are many attractive spots that will soothe the souls of visitors, such as the famous Minoh Falls, a 33m waterfall, the Meiji no Mori Minoh Quasi-National Park surrounded by lush forests, and Katsuo-ji Temple, where you can see the impressive rows of Daruma dolls.

Minoh Beer has been loved in the town of Minoh for many years and is now attracting attention from craft beer lovers all over the country.

This time, we'll be taking a look behind the scenes at Minoh Beer brewing with Anne, who is originally from Germany, and her husband, Yusuke. We spoke at length about the background to the birth of craft beer in the town of Minoh and the brewers' commitment to their craft.

Additionally, you will have the opportunity to take a special tour of the MINOH BEER brewery, which is not normally open to the public, and learn about the deep world of Minoh Beer.

Learn about the background of Minoh Beer's creation through the brewer's voice and a tour of the factory

Minoh Beer (WAREHOUSE) is a beer brewery located in a quiet residential area, about a 10-minute walk from Makiochi Station on the Hankyu Minoh Line.

Minoh Beer, which has won numerous awards at prestigious beer contests overseas, including in the United States and the United Kingdom, and is now renowned as Osaka's representative craft beer, was born here.

Minoh Beer's appeal lies in the taste, which clearly reflects the quality of the ingredients and careful craftsmanship, of all its beers, from the classic pale ale to the limited edition seasonal beers.

While cherishing the idea of ​​"bringing delicious beer into everyday life," we continue to deliver a lineup that is not influenced by trends and that gives you the warmth of handmade products.

We had a long talk with President Oshita Kaori (hereinafter referred to as President Oshita), who also serves as the factory manager, and got a behind-the-scenes look at how Minoh Beer is made.

Even before Minoh Beer was founded in 1996, there were restrictions in Japan due to the Liquor Tax Act, and even the concept of craft beer was relatively unknown.

President Oshita, who was born into a liquor store in Suita City, has always thought it would be great if the culture of enjoying "local beer," which is commonplace overseas, could also be found in Japan.

In 1994, the Liquor Tax Act was revised, allowing beer brewers other than the major manufacturers to produce beer. This event marked the so-called "lifting of the ban on craft beer in Japan."

With this desire in mind, "We want to make a beer that will be loved by the locals in Minoh City, surrounded by rich nature," the first Minoh Beer, "Pilsner" ^*, was finally released in 1997.

*Pilsner: An authentic lager made primarily from malt, with a strong hop aroma and bitter taste. On the other hand, major Japanese lager brands often use secondary ingredients such as corn and starch to create a lighter, more drinkable taste.

Thus began Minoh Beer. Although it is now regarded as one of the leading craft beers not only in Osaka but in Japan, it was not smooth sailing from the start.

Following the revision of the Liquor Tax Law, beer breweries sprang up all over Japan, sparking a craft beer boom. However, President Oshita says, "It didn't last long."

It was not easy to get the new concept of craft beer to take root among Japanese people, who had only ever drunk lager beer from major manufacturers.

Furthermore, while large manufacturers can keep costs down through mass production, this is no easy feat for a small local brewery. Looking back on that time, President Oshita says that a major factor was that production technology could not keep up with the sudden boom.

Craft beer went into decline for over 10 years, but during that time Minoh Beer continued to work diligently and honestly on craft beer production.

As a result, in 2009 it won a gold medal at the World Beer Awards.

Furthermore, in 2012, it won a gold medal at the World Beer Cup, one of the most prestigious international competitions in the world.

This led to the band receiving high praise both at home and abroad, and they have now grown to the point where they have won gold medals nine times in international competitions.

In recent years, the craft beer boom that began in the United States has sparked a resurgence in Japan, with the number of breweries increasing rapidly and craft beer becoming increasingly popular.

Minoh Beer, which has been involved with craft beer for many years, is actually looking at this situation surprisingly calmly.

"When you live here, you'll find that there's more to Minoh than just waterfalls and autumn leaves," says President Oshita, as he tells us that there are many more hidden attractions to discover in the area.

Having been brewing beer in this area for many years, it has become a favorite choice for locals to enjoy with their evening drinks, and tourists are increasingly buying it as a souvenir.

"Before we knew it, Minoh Beer had become a part of the local community," President Oshita said, his smile striking.

The annual Thanksgiving event not only allows visitors to enjoy limited edition beer and food, but also allows them to experience the unique atmosphere of a brewery, attracting many visitors from far and wide.

Furthermore, Minoh Beer is also focusing on brewing beer that utilizes local ingredients such as yuzu and rice, in order to stay close to the local area.

He said he hopes people will enjoy this uniquely Japanese beer style.

Enjoy freshly brewed beer! An experience only available at our directly managed store

After the factory tour, we headed to the MINOH BEER WAREHOUSE, a store attached to the Minoh Beer brewery. Here, freshly brewed craft beer is poured from a tap and enjoyed on the spot.

Knowing the thoughts and background behind each beer naturally enhances the clarity of the drink and allows for a deeper enjoyment. Anne and Yusuke finally get to taste Minoh Beer.

The beer is poured directly from the tank and is already fresh just by looking at it. The rising aroma and fine bubbles will raise your expectations.

Here's what I ordered. Starting from the back, I chose three types of beer: Kozaru IPA, Dunkelweizen, and Pilsner.

Anne is currently pregnant, so this time she had a Coke, while Yusuke enjoyed the craft beer.

Once you receive your freshly poured beer, sit down and toast to your drink. The calm space, with light streaming in through the large windows, is perfect for a break during your sightseeing trip.

The first drink is a classic pilsner.

There is a strong sweetness behind the moderate bitterness, and the overall taste is very refreshing.

Even people who don't usually drink much craft beer will find this a familiar flavor, so Yusuke even gives it his stamp of approval, saying, "I think anyone who likes beer from major Japanese manufacturers will absolutely love this!" It's also a great drink to pair with food.

Next up was a German-style Dunkelweizen.

In addition to the fruity aroma of banana, it has a complex and deep flavor with the sweetness of malt and the aroma of slightly roasted malt.

Despite this, the aftertaste is surprisingly clean and very easy to drink. Yusuke said that this was his favorite of the three.

Lastly, we have the popular "Kozaru IPA."

This session IPA has a pleasant, sharp bitterness and a gorgeous aroma of passion fruit and melon, centered around citrus. The fruity flavor and firm bitterness are both balanced, with a clean finish that makes it easy to drink.

Yusuke also praised the beer, saying, "It's easy for people who aren't used to craft beer to pick up, and it has an impactful aroma but is easy to drink, so it's likely to be popular with women who like beer."

The directly managed stores offer a food menu that has been carefully designed to complement the beer.

The menu changes with the seasons and includes freshly baked bread made with Minoh Beer yeast, homemade bacon and sausages, salads, and light snacks.

One of the attractions is that you can enjoy the pairing of a wide variety of dishes with Minoh beer.

This time I ordered the "Sausage Platter." The aroma of the piping hot sausages served in a skillet was sure to whet your appetite the moment they were brought to your table.

When you take a bite, the outside is crispy and fragrant, and the inside is packed with the delicious flavor of meat.

Anne, who is from Germany, was impressed by how delicious it was, and it pairs perfectly with Pilsner.

The history and careful craftsmanship that I learned about during the factory tour added a deeper meaning to the cup of coffee I enjoyed at the directly managed store.

Enjoying freshly brewed beer paired with carefully selected food was a valuable experience that allowed me to fully appreciate the appeal of Minoh Beer.

Enjoy a stroll and gourmet food! Taste Minoh Beer on the Takimichi Trail

Along the road leading to the waterfall path in Minoh Park, there are several shops where you can enjoy Minoh beer while strolling.

This time, we've picked out two stores that are easy to stop by in between sightseeing. We'll introduce you to spots where you can casually enjoy craft beer while strolling along the waterfall path.

A retro exterior with a modern interior? Check out souvenirs and maple leaf tempura along with Minoh beer at "Kajikaso"

Located halfway up the waterfall path in Minoh Park, Kajikaso is a great place to stop by and buy local sweets and souvenirs, including the famous souvenir "momiji tempura."

The exterior has the feel of a traditional souvenir shop, but the interior is surprisingly calm and relaxing. Here you can enjoy a variety of alcoholic drinks, mainly Minoh Beer, as well as light snacks.

If you're tired from walking, stop by Suzuki Shoten, where you can enjoy Minoh beer with some sweets.

Suzuki Shoten, located near the entrance to the waterfall path and right next to Minoh Station, is a souvenir shop that you can easily drop in to during your stroll. It is also a sweet shop that sells light sweets, Japanese confectionery, soft serve ice cream, and more, and you can also enjoy Minoh beer.

In addition to the lineup of four popular types of Minoh beer - "Stout," "Pilsner," "Weizen," and "Pale Ale," the bar also sells highballs made with ingredients unique to Minoh, such as maple leaves and yuzu.

With Minoh Beer. Looking back on a day exploring the charms of Minoh City

From the factory tour to a drink at the flagship store and a stroll around the shops along the waterfall path, this experience allowed me to fully understand the appeal of Minoh Beer. Drinking beer after hearing about the brewer's thoughts and history makes it feel even more special.

Minoh City is not just about beer, it also has a rich natural environment and plenty of walking spots nearby. The whole city has a laid-back atmosphere, and you'll discover something new every time you visit.

I was able to experience the world of Minoh Beer and realize how profound it is, drawing me in. I encourage you to come and experience the comfortable time that only Minoh City can offer.