Ino Chujiro Shoten

Did you know there’s a brewery along Sawara’s Onogawa River that was renovated from an agricultural machinery store that had been around for more than 90 years? Ino Chujiro Shoten.

The name comes from Sawara’s history. In fact, it’s only about 80 meters from Tadataka Ino’s former residence. Sawara is a historic area with streets that still retain the look of 'little Edo,' and in the heart of that atmosphere, they opened a brewery and cheese workshop in March 2022.

The brewer here trained in brewing in the United States and at Choshi Beer, and makes original beers using locally grown hops. There are four signature beers, and they offer a tasting set of NEW ENGLAND IPA, INOU BLACK, INOU WHITE, and PALE ALE.

It’s a wheat-based white beer, and the key is that it uses a hop called Nelson Sauvin. That hop gives it an elegant aroma similar to white wine. It’s crafted so even people who don’t usually like beer can drink it easily.

I think that’s exactly what they’re aiming for. In the cheese workshop next door, they handmade burrata and mozzarella. On Tuesdays, Fridays, and Sundays, you can watch the production process, and you can also take part in cheese-making experiences. The space is designed so you can see the brewing equipment behind the counter too, so you can enjoy the process of making it as well.

Along the Onogawa River, where historic buildings stand in rows, the wooden interior is filled with the aroma of craft beer. It’s not just a stop on your Sawara sightseeing route, it’s worth going there as the destination itself.