Himeji Hatoya Beer

What’s interesting about Himeji Hatoya Beer is its origin story.

It comes from Hatoya, a long-established kamaboko shop founded just after the war in Himeji. In 1984, it won the Emperor’s Cup at a kamaboko competition, becoming the first in Hyogo Prefecture’s seafood surimi industry to do so.

The brewer Nishikawa’s theme is "beer that goes with kamaboko." It’s exactly the kind of idea you’d expect from Himeji, a city known for food.

Their flagship beer, "Himeji WHITE," is a wheat white beer inspired by Himeji Castle, with a soft mouthfeel. "Lord GINGER" is a dark beer inspired by the ginger soy sauce essential to Himeji oden, and it has a sharp ginger-spice character.

Their "IPA" uses five kinds of hops, giving it a strong bitterness with a fruity aftertaste. They also make a golden ale called "Tiger Cat Golden," so the whole lineup is closely tied to Himeji’s food culture.

There’s a shop in Gran Festa, directly connected to JR Himeji Station, where you can enjoy freshly brewed craft beer alongside Hatoya’s kamaboko. Since it’s right at the station, it’s perfect for a quick drink while waiting for a train.