Daigo Brewery

Daigo Brewery is a brewery in Daigo Town, Ibaraki that has stuck to German-style brewing for more than 25 years. It sells beer under the label "Yamizo Forest Beer," and it's the real deal.

It's a method that follows Germany's "Beer Purity Law," using only four ingredients: malt, water, yeast, and hops. No adjuncts at all. What's more, since the company was founded, a German brewmaster has come over to teach them, and the malt is imported directly from Germany. They don't compromise.

Right. They've received direct instruction for seven years. And what's interesting is the background of the current president, Kenji Watahiki. He originally worked as a site supervisor for a construction company in Tokyo.

Exactly. His father was on a business trip in Europe, got blown away by German beer, and decided, "It must suit Japanese drinkers too," so he took the opportunity of the 1997 liquor tax law revision to build a brewery. Then he told 25-year-old Kenji, "I'm putting you in charge of this."

There was a person named Hiromi Masuko, who handled brewing from the beginning, and after Kenji became president in 2011, he's been learning the recipes and brewing timing from him. It's nice how the techniques are being passed on through a mentor-disciple relationship.

The flagship is the pilsner. Saying it's light might be misleading, but it has no off-flavors and a solid aroma and richness. It's the kind of beer people say, "Surprisingly, there aren't many places making a truly authentic pilsner." The weizen is fruity and tasty too. There's also a restaurant on-site, and you can drink while looking through glass at the brewing area in a forested setting.