Civic Brewers

There’s a brewery in Katano City called Civic Brewers, and its origins are pretty unique. It’s a brewery created by local citizens with their own hands.

There’s a man named Ken Kai, the representative, and his background is interesting. He graduated from Kansai University and spent 22 years at Dentsu, then called Daiichi Kikaku and now ADK, in the Tokyo headquarters production division, working on developing hit products. At 44, he returned to his hometown of Katano because of his parents’ health issues.

After returning home, he and his classmates agreed they wanted to energize Katano, so they first created a citizen university called Katano Orihime University. Within it, they launched a Craft Beer Club and began growing hops with local residents in the Jingūji area of Katano under the name Kisaichi Hop Farm.

They have a saison called Dream Come True Saison, and it uses the Jingūji hops they grew themselves. It has notes reminiscent of roasted tea, with a nice balance of grapefruit-like aroma and spice.

They make Hassaku Ale using Katano-grown hassaku, Sake Lees Ale using sake lees, Hinohikari Kölsch using the local Hinohikari rice, and Jinguji Delaware Ale using Delaware grapes... They keep turning Katano’s bounty into beer.

What’s more, the brewery interior was renovated through citizen DIY. Licensed architects and designers joined in too, making it literally a brewery built by the people. The planning skills of someone from advertising and the strength of the community came together, and they started with contract brewing before arriving at their own in-house brewing. They also have a taproom and cafe, so you can relax and enjoy a drink.