Awa Beer

Awa Beer was founded in 2001, making it one of the veteran names in Chiba's craft beer scene. It's a brewery run by an agricultural corporation that has been brewing in Minamiboso for more than 20 years.

That's the interesting part. They focus on 100% malt beer that is unfiltered and unpasteurized, so the yeast is bottled while still alive. What's more, they use fermentation tanks originally designed for ginjo-style sake brewing. In other words, they bring techniques from the sake world into beer.

You can, because it allows precise temperature control. They import their malt directly from the UK and Germany, and carefully craft each batch in small quantities. It's an approach big breweries could never do.

Their regular lineup includes Amber Ale, Pale Ale, Dark Ale, and 'Hotaru Mai Weiss.' Hotaru Mai Weiss is especially unique: a seasonal wheat beer made with the fresh rice of 'Hotaru Mai' from local Miyoshi Village. The unfiltered haze and rich foam are fantastic.

And in February 2026, Dark Ale won gold and Amber Ale won bronze at the Japan Great Beer Awards. The steady quality they've maintained for more than 20 years is being properly recognized.

They also make a Blueberry Ale using blueberries from Minamiboso. Awa Beer takes the stance that they want people to enjoy it slowly, like wine or sake. I think it's a brewery that changes the way people see beer.