Shimokita Hatsuchi Beer Workshop
- Address
- Oma Town, Aomori, 93 Okudo, Baikazan, Sotoku-ji Temple
- Area
- Aomori Oma Town
What kind of brewery is Shimokita Hatsuchi Beer Workshop?
Hop BroShimokita Hatsuchi Beer Workshop in Oma Town is one of the northernmost breweries on Honshu. And here's the thing: they brew beer at a temple.
MugiWhat!? At a temple!? What do you mean?!
Hop BroIt's at Baikazan Sotoku-ji, a temple founded in 1625, where Chief Priest Sasaki brews the beer all by himself.
MugiThe chief priest does it alone!? At a temple with 400 years of history!? Why did he start?
Hop BroThe reason is as simple as it gets: "because the water is delicious." On the temple grounds, spring water that originates in the Osorezan mountain range has been bubbling up since ancient times, and he figured beer brewed with that water would taste great. He reportedly started more than 20 years ago.
MugiBeer made with sacred spring water...! It almost feels worthy of reverence.
Hop BroThe brand name is "Manji Mugishizuku." There are six varieties: Pilsner, Pale Ale, Apple, Lager, Stout, and Bitter, and they all use live beer yeast through secondary fermentation in the bottle. The Pilsner has a strong aroma of malt and hops with a bold, rich flavor, while the Pale Ale is characterized by its fruity acidity.
MugiBottle conditioning sounds like a lot of work for one chief priest to handle. How do you buy it?
Hop BroThat part is unusual too. You can only buy it from a vending machine at the temple's direct-sales shop. No face-to-face sales. It's 440 to 490 yen per bottle.
MugiA vending machine!? Beer from a vending machine at a temple!? There are so many things to react to that I have no choice but to go!
Hop BroOma is famous for tuna, but Sotoku-ji's sacred-water beer is something you should make a pilgrimage for too. At the very edge of Honshu, this is "Manji Mugishizuku," brewed by a lone chief priest. This is craft brewing at its most ultimate.
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