Crazy Stone Brewing

Did you know there’s a brewpub in Mizuho Ward, Nagoya, where a Sichuan hot pot restaurant brews its own beer? It’s Crazy Stone Brewing. It’s backed by "Koshou," a full-scale Sichuan old-style hot pot restaurant.

It’s just a short walk from Aratamabashi Station, and the place serves Sichuan cuisine while also doing its own brewing. It’s run by Koshou Co., Ltd.

And on top of that, their first release, a HAZY IPA, immediately earned the top "Excellent" rating in the National Tax Agency’s quality inspection. Getting the highest rating on your very first release is pretty rare.

Exactly. It shows the brewer’s technical skill was high from the start. They’ve also launched a new West Coast IPA lineup called "Package 1.0." It’s available from single bottles to case purchases, so they’re also targeting gift demand.

The numbing spice of Sichuan cuisine’s huajiao and the bold hop bitterness of an IPA actually go really well together. It’s that feeling where heat and bitterness cross in your mouth. That’s an experience you’d never get from a big-brand pairing.