Tazawako Beer

Tazawako Beer, founded in 1997, is Akita Prefecture's first craft beer, but what's interesting is that it was launched by the theater troupe Warabi-za.

Warabi-za is a theater company that has been active in Akita since 1953 and runs a mixed-use complex called Akita Geijutsu Mura. As part of creating a new culture, they started brewing beer. Having art and beer coexist on the same grounds is probably unique in Japan.

The first head brewer, Katsuhisa Komatsu, used to work in hotels. He went to Germany, learned beer making from scratch, and came back. And what he was told there was, 'For now, drink 3 liters before you judge it.' That became the origin of Tazawako Beer's philosophy of 'making beer you can drink 3 liters of.'

In short, it means a beer you never get tired of drinking every day and always want to have again. Supporting that is Czech Saaz hops. Except for limited releases, they use 100% Saaz, which gives a gentle bitterness and a clear aroma without lingering on the palate. That's why you keep wanting another glass.

The longtime No. 1 favorite is 'Alt.' It won World Best Altbier at the World Beer Awards. 'Pilsner' also took World Best Dortmunder and ranked No. 1 in the world. Winning with traditional German styles is where Tazawako Beer really shines.

'Beech Forest' is a beer made with Japan's only native beech wild yeast. They also have 'Dragon Herb Weiss,' a collaboration with Ryukakusan, in which they add Ryukakusan herbal powder to a weizen base.