Joshu Tomioka Brewery

Joshu Tomioka Brewery is the kind of place you will never forget once you hear about the background of its founder, Atsushi Arai. He was originally a pharmacist, and he also ran a care business and facilities for people with disabilities.

He saw news about the 2018 Western Japan torrential rains, which damaged a craft brewery attached to a facility for people with disabilities in Kurashiki, Okayama Prefecture. He saw people with disabilities trying to protect the brewery in muddy water. That was when he learned that craft beer production could lead to employment for people with disabilities, and he decided to do it himself and went to Okayama to train.

He obtained a brewing license in 2021 and started in Tomioka. The location is in a back alley just a short walk from the World Heritage Tomioka Silk Mill. The concept is "connecting with the community through beer," and the four regular beers are all excellent. "Eru" is an ale characterized by the richness of barley and a fruity aroma, and "Jiko Weizen" is an elegant weizen made with wheat from Tomioka.

"Choco" has a perfect balance of bitterness and sweetness using chocolate malt. "Kuro" is a stout with creamy foam. Seasonal limited releases also include beers made with Tomioka-grown ginger, kiwi, and Nanko plums. It has also been certified as a "Gunma Local Production for Local Consumption Promotion Store."

They are. For example, on the farm that grows Nanko plums for the plum beer, people with disabilities help with collecting pruned branches. Arai's real strength is that he balances his passion for welfare as a pharmacist with beer making.

The taproom is open from 4 p.m. on weekdays and from 11 a.m. on Saturdays. There are eight taps on the wall, so you can drink it fresh. They also have an online shop, so you can order it delivered.