Nutori Brewing

Nutori Brewing in Kawaguchi is truly one of a kind. They renovated a 50-year-old apartment, and the 4-tsubo brewery shares the space with a dining hall, a private library, and a photo studio.

Brewmaster Taiichi Yamada became captivated by beer in 2013, then studied brewing at Aizawa Juku and trained at Riot Beer, Matsudo Beer, and HIGHBURY. He opened the predecessor, Beer Place Nutori, in 2020, and started in-house brewing in 2021.

It comes from nutrition. Their philosophy is "Shinyo Jokei," which means nourishing the mind and body, and connecting people with one another. It is packed with the desire to make the whole place, not just the beer, something that nourishes people.

The beer is interesting too. They make a classic IPA called "Cho Nutope," a lager called "Tono to Nutori" using hops from Tono, and a porter called "Nutoron" with Ajiro grapes, at 8% ABV. They also have the distinctive habit of using Red X malt often.

Yamada says he brews beer with food pairings in mind, and the "Kobanzai" made by vice representative Koba-san, such as FukushimA green onion marinade, Shikashina pickles from Chichibu, and game dishes, is amazing alongside it.

They also run a running club, and sometimes hold events where people do a joint run with other breweries and then toast with beer. There is also a once-a-month rakugo talk event and a members-only "Nutori Friends Association," so it goes far beyond the frame of a brewery.