Nikko's The Kichi to Pour Strawberry Beer at Tochigi Toast Festival
Nikko-based brewery The Kichi will take part in the Tochigi Local Sake Toast Festival 2026 on July 10 and 11 in Utsunomiya, bringing a strawberry beer made with Tochigi-grown Tochiaika strawberries.
Hop BroA seriously summery pour just showed up: THE KICHI's strawberry beer is coming to the Tochigi Local Sake Toast Festa 2026 on July 10 and 11.
MugiWait, made with Tochiaika strawberries? That sounds like beer pretending to be dessert!
Hop BroThat’s the fun of it. Nikko brewery THE KICHI brewery & cafe is using local Tochiaika to push a bright sweet-tart profile.
MugiOkay, but what style is that? If it drinks like juice, I might accidentally chug it.
Hop BroBroadly, it's a fruit beer. The strawberries work as an adjunct, layering sweet-tart aroma over the malt base.
MugiHold on, what's an adjunct? You just launched into full brewery mode again!
Hop BroIt means an ingredient besides malt and hops. So here, the strawberry is the supporting actor... even if it’s trying to steal the whole show.
MugiThat rules. And it’s at Orion Square in Utsunomiya, right? Pair that with gyoza or yakisoba and I'm in trouble.
Hop BroAnd day one has the 7:12 p.m. mass toast, while day two teams up with Miya Sunset Jazz. With 30 sake breweries, 11 craft beer makers, and 4 wineries, it’s a full Tochigi drinks summit.
MugiJazz plus a sweet-tart pint? That already sounds like a winning weekend.
Hop BroThe next hard call is the local food pairing. Gyoza or yakisoba, either way this beer sounds dangerously drinkable.
MugiNo more discussion, I need that first sip. I’m absolutely going to try THE KICHI’s strawberry beer!
Nikko-based brewery The Kichi (THE KICHI brewery & cafe) announced that it will join the "Tochigi Local Sake Toast Festival 2026" at Orion Square in Utsunomiya on Friday, July 10 and Saturday, July 11. According to the post, the brewery will serve a sweet-tart strawberry beer made with Tochigi-grown Tochiaika strawberries.
The two-day event is designed to showcase local drinks made in Tochigi alongside food from the prefecture. The lineup includes 30 sake breweries, 11 craft beer producers, and 4 wineries, giving visitors a broad tasting range. Food stalls will feature Tochigi-friendly pairings such as Utsunomiya gyoza and Utsunomiya yakisoba.
On Friday, July 10, the festival will hold a mass toast at around 7:12 p.m. Local officials, including the governor of Tochigi, are expected to appear on stage and join the audience in a shared toast with local drinks. The event also highlights a prefectural ordinance promoted in 2014 to encourage toasting with Tochigi-made alcohol.
Saturday, July 11 will be paired with "Miya Sunset Jazz." Live jazz and fusion performances will run from 3:40 p.m. to 6:50 p.m., with free admission for visitors. A special train called the "Jizake Train Sasaragou" will also run from the Tokyo metropolitan area toward Tobu-Utsunomiya Station, offering tastings, brewery explanations, and boxed lunches featuring Tochigi ingredients onboard.
By bringing a strawberry beer made with local fruit to a festival centered on Tochigi drinks, The Kichi adds a craft beer angle to an event that spans sake, wine, food, and music.
Information may be inaccurate. Please refer to the brewery’s official channels for the latest details.
Hop BroA seriously summery pour just showed up: THE KICHI's strawberry beer is coming to the Tochigi Local Sake Toast Festa 2026 on July 10 and 11.
MugiWait, made with Tochiaika strawberries? That sounds like beer pretending to be dessert!
Hop BroThat’s the fun of it. Nikko brewery THE KICHI brewery & cafe is using local Tochiaika to push a bright sweet-tart profile.
MugiOkay, but what style is that? If it drinks like juice, I might accidentally chug it.
Hop BroBroadly, it's a fruit beer. The strawberries work as an adjunct, layering sweet-tart aroma over the malt base.
MugiHold on, what's an adjunct? You just launched into full brewery mode again!
Hop BroIt means an ingredient besides malt and hops. So here, the strawberry is the supporting actor... even if it’s trying to steal the whole show.
MugiThat rules. And it’s at Orion Square in Utsunomiya, right? Pair that with gyoza or yakisoba and I'm in trouble.
Hop BroAnd day one has the 7:12 p.m. mass toast, while day two teams up with Miya Sunset Jazz. With 30 sake breweries, 11 craft beer makers, and 4 wineries, it’s a full Tochigi drinks summit.
MugiJazz plus a sweet-tart pint? That already sounds like a winning weekend.
Hop BroThe next hard call is the local food pairing. Gyoza or yakisoba, either way this beer sounds dangerously drinkable.
MugiNo more discussion, I need that first sip. I’m absolutely going to try THE KICHI’s strawberry beer!
