This Brewing

You know how there’s a brewery in Yushima that was made by a designer? It’s called THIS BREWING, and even though it doesn’t really feel like a typical beer place, it’s seriously great.

The owner, Makoto Yabuki, is the creative director at the design studio TANGRAM. He loves beer so much that he wanted to try brewing he could truly oversee himself, so while continuing his design work, he opened the brewery in July 2023.

And on top of that, the manager, Mr. Ichinose, used to work as a sales and delivery person for an American craft beer importer. It’s interesting that someone who knew the imported beer scene is now on the brewing side himself.

They don’t keep a standard lineup here. The shop name “THIS” means “here and now,” like “this week” or “this year,” so the recipes change every time you visit. Recently, they released the second version of their Carrot Ale, readjusting the balance of acidity and sweetness from the previous batch, and they also put out “Sour Ale w/ Raspberry & Oak,” finished in oak barrels and canned as well.

Another point of care is that for fruits and spices, they use fresh ingredients instead of juice concentrates. Their “this saison w/ rosemary & fresh lime,” for example, was a glass with the bright aroma of fresh lime and rosemary spreading juicily. They tend to make beers with lower alcohol, and the concept is that you can casually enjoy one during the day.

The exterior is covered in blue tiles with full glass windows. The first floor is mostly standing room, with the brewing tanks visible in the back, and the second floor has a relaxed, cafe-like 14-seat space. Even the logo, where the “H” becomes a wavering wave line, shows a designer’s playful touch.