Yasudaya Brewery

Yasudaya Brewery has an incredible history tied to the place itself. It was converted into a brewery from a warehouse over 100 years old at the Yasudaya liquor store, founded in Bunsei 1, 1818.

That's right. The brewer is Jiro Tobe. He is originally the second-generation owner of a long-established catered bento shop that has been operating in Nagareyama for 50 years, and he's a chef. He started trying his hand at craft beer during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Being a chef means he has an eye for ingredients. There are seven regular beers, and the most popular are the pale ale "Yo," the IPA "Mamoru," and the stout "Andon," made with roasted malt aromas. "Andon" is named after the lanterns that light up Nagareyama Honcho at night.

And the standout is "Mirin Ginger." Did you know Nagareyama is the birthplace of white mirin? It's a spice ale made with white-mirin lees and ginger from Nagareyama, a beer you can only make in Nagareyama. In 2024, it also won the Chiiki Shimbun Award at the "Chiba Residents Cheer! Gift Grand Prix."

The brewing setup is unique too: Japanese-made stainless-steel boil and mash kettles, plus three 250-liter fermentation tanks imported from the U.S. In principle, it's just Tobe and one staff member making it. It's only a 4-minute walk from Nagareyama Station on the Ryutetsu Nagareyama Line, so it's perfect to visit as part of a local train trip.