Kawaguchi Brewery taps "Minoo Kuwai Ale," a local-ingredient beer on tap
In a post on March 24, 2026, Kawaguchi Brewery introduced its new "Minoo Kuwai Ale." Brewed with "Saitama kuwai" from Minoo Hiruma Farm, the beer was noted for its gently bitter character and good head retention. Five beers, including regular and guest taps, are lined up inside the brewery.
Hop BroKawaguchi Brewery's Minoo Kuwai Ale really shows skill in how it uses local ingredients.
MugiWait, kuwai means that auspicious ingredient from osechi? It can be made into beer?!
Hop BroExactly. They use Saitama kuwai from Minoo Hiruma Farm, and the post says the kuwai's gentle bitterness is one of the key points.
MugiGentle bitterness? So is it bitter, or does it taste kind of vegetable-like? Ale bitterness is hard to wrap my head around.
Hop BroBasically, it's not just hop bitterness; it also leaves some of the ingredient's own character intact. And it has good head retention, so it looks great in the glass too.
MugiOhhh! When the foam holds up well, it feels like it gets an extra this looks delicious boost!
Hop BroAnd the taps have five beers on draft. There's Kawaguchi Osonomichi Ale, White Lily Weizen, Asami Farm Yuzu Ale, Minoo Kuwai Ale, and COEDO Saiha.
MugiWhoa, that alone sounds like a tasting tour! There's even a yuzu ale, so the mood could totally change depending on what you choose.
Hop BroExactly. I like that the brewery's own beers are joined by COEDO from within the prefecture, so the range for side-by-side tasting is nicely broad.
MugiIf a locally focused beer is waiting for me at Fuji Marche Building 103 near the east exit of Kawaguchi Station, I want to go right now!
Hop BroI really like how they properly turn local ingredients into beer. Today, I feel like sipping a kuwai beer and already looking forward to the next limited release.
MugiYeah, let's start by toasting with Minoo Kuwai Ale, then go after all five!
Kawaguchi Brewery, a brewpub in the east exit area of Kawaguchi Station, shared its latest tap information on Instagram. The centerpiece this time is Minoo Kuwai Ale, brewed with "Saitama kuwai" from Minoo Hiruma Farm.
According to the post, the highlights of this beer are its "gently bitter taste derived from kuwai" and "good head retention." Kuwai is an auspicious ingredient also known from osechi cuisine, and Saitama Prefecture is one of the country's leading production areas. The result is a strongly local beer that reflects the brewery's style of turning regional farm products into beer.
The TAP list announced at the same time includes the following five beers:
- Kawaguchi Osonomichi Ale
- White Lily Weizen
- Asami Farm Yuzu Ale
- Minoo Kuwai Ale
- COEDO Saiha
The lineup combines the brewery's own beers with COEDO, a brewery from within the prefecture, offering a broad range for side-by-side tasting. From a soft wheat beer to a citrus-forward ale and a local-ingredient beer, the tap selection makes it easy to choose something that pairs well with food.
The location is Fuji Marche Building 103, 2-2-16 Saiwaicho, Kawaguchi City, Saitama Prefecture. Kawaguchi Brewery is a brewpub where beer suggestions themed around local ingredients are a recurring feature, and this new tap of "Minoo Kuwai Ale" is another release that fits that direction.
Information may be inaccurate. Please refer to the venue’s official channels for the latest details.
Hop BroKawaguchi Brewery's Minoo Kuwai Ale really shows skill in how it uses local ingredients.
MugiWait, kuwai means that auspicious ingredient from osechi? It can be made into beer?!
Hop BroExactly. They use Saitama kuwai from Minoo Hiruma Farm, and the post says the kuwai's gentle bitterness is one of the key points.
MugiGentle bitterness? So is it bitter, or does it taste kind of vegetable-like? Ale bitterness is hard to wrap my head around.
Hop BroBasically, it's not just hop bitterness; it also leaves some of the ingredient's own character intact. And it has good head retention, so it looks great in the glass too.
MugiOhhh! When the foam holds up well, it feels like it gets an extra this looks delicious boost!
Hop BroAnd the taps have five beers on draft. There's Kawaguchi Osonomichi Ale, White Lily Weizen, Asami Farm Yuzu Ale, Minoo Kuwai Ale, and COEDO Saiha.
MugiWhoa, that alone sounds like a tasting tour! There's even a yuzu ale, so the mood could totally change depending on what you choose.
Hop BroExactly. I like that the brewery's own beers are joined by COEDO from within the prefecture, so the range for side-by-side tasting is nicely broad.
MugiIf a locally focused beer is waiting for me at Fuji Marche Building 103 near the east exit of Kawaguchi Station, I want to go right now!
Hop BroI really like how they properly turn local ingredients into beer. Today, I feel like sipping a kuwai beer and already looking forward to the next limited release.
MugiYeah, let's start by toasting with Minoo Kuwai Ale, then go after all five!
