Tango Kingdom Brewery

Shall I tell you about Tango Kingdom Brewery? The brewmaster, Michio Yamaguchi, was born and raised in Tango, and he has been brewing beer here for more than 20 years.

It is rare. What's more, the equipment includes German-made copper brewing kettles, and the fermentation tanks are open-top tanks that put less stress on the yeast. It's not automated at all; everything is done by hand. Yamaguchi-san says, "The moment I brew a beer I'm truly satisfied with is unbeatable," and his craftsmanship really shows.

One interesting one is a pilsner called "Meister." It uses Koshihikari rice from Tango as an adjunct ingredient. Tango is actually a famous rice-growing region, and its sheen and sweetness add a mellow character to the beer. It's amazing with sashimi or grilled fish.

"Weizen" is another standout, and it won gold at the Japan Great Beer Awards. Its yeast-derived banana-like aroma comes through softly, and because the bitterness is low, it's easy for beginners to enjoy. Also, the Smoke beer won gold at the 2013 International Beer Awards. It's the kind that hits you with a strong smoky aroma.

Yes, the label designs are based on the "Tango Seven Princesses" legend handed down in Tango. And because the brewery is inside the roadside station "Shoku no Miyako," you can enjoy it together with Tango seafood and local ingredients.

Yamaguchi-san is also committed to nurturing young brewers, and he runs an initiative called "Beer Brewer's College." He really is someone who has spent 20 years cultivating Tango's beer culture itself.