Kankiku Meijo

Kankiku Meijo is a long-established sake brewery founded in 1883, in the 16th year of the Meiji era. It started a beer brand called "Kujukuri Ocean Beer" in 1997.

Right. Its biggest strength is applying sake-brewing techniques to beer, and the brewing water is amazing too. It uses medium-hard water that springs from the base of a persimmon tree over 200 years old on the brewery grounds.

Because it's mineral-rich medium-hard water, it gives the beer a distinctive juiciness and crisp finish. When they launched, they sent craftsmen to Germany, France, and the UK to study authentic brewing methods. On top of that, they refined it into a beer that suits Japanese tastes.

The staples are Pilsner, Weizen, IPA, Pale Ale, and Stout. And the one to watch is the "Koshihikari Rice Ale." It's made with Chiba-grown Koshihikari rice and has won an award at the World Beer Awards. That's the fusion of rice and beer that only a sake brewery could create.

They also won gold and silver medals at the World Beer Awards in 2015, and they release collaboration beers with other breweries, like "ONI99," so they definitely have an ambitious side too.

Since the brewery includes a brewery surrounded by greenery, it's a great place to visit as part of a tour. Being able to enjoy sake too is something only a sake-brewery brewery can offer.