Grandline Brewing is near Mikasa Park, about a 12-minute walk from Yokosuka-Chuo, and the owner, Mr. Onishi, is pretty unusual. He originally ran a promotions company in Tokyo.
Mugi
A beer brewery from a promotions company? How did that happen?
Hop Bro
While visiting restaurants, he got hooked on craft beer, but he also realized something at the same time: even great beer can lose quality depending on how a shop handles it. So, to control quality himself, he deliberately limits distribution to his own taproom.
Mugi
Wow! Keeping it from spreading is part of the obsession!
Hop Bro
The flagship, "Hello, World," is amazing. It's a juicy hazy imperial IPA with a burst of peach-like tropical fruit aromas, balanced by a gentle malt sweetness. It even won bronze at the 2023 International Beer Cup.
Mugi
The name "Hello, World" sounds kind of programming-like, doesn't it?
Hop Bro
That really captures Mr. Onishi's style. He launched the NFT community "Crypto Beer Punks" and connects beer fans on Discord. The business runs on two pillars: the premium GRANDLINE brand and the more accessible Crypto Beer Punks line.
Mugi
NFTs and beer!? I've never heard that combination before!
Hop Bro
There are also other beers, like "PONZ MAGIC," a ponzu-style sour ale at 3% ABV; "KANPAI YOKOSUKA," a straight-up American IPA; and "Genuine Geeks - Hop Overdrive," a DDH hazy double IPA at 8% for serious hop heads. The range is wild.
Mugi
A ponzu-style sour!? I want to try that!
Hop Bro
They even rebooted "Super Welcome," a hazy IPA that was popular in the early days, and they've been doing tap takeover events in Kyoto too. They're really pushing out from Yokosuka to the whole country.
Mugi
Drinking NFT-community craft beer near Mikasa Park feels like such a sign of the times!
Signature beers:Hello, WorldPONZ MAGICKANPAI YOKOSUKASuper WelcomeGenuine Geeks - Hop Overdrive