Himeji Hatoya Beer

What kind of brewery is Himeji Hatoya Beer?

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

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Hatoya? That sounds familiar somehow...

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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.

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Wait, a kamaboko shop is making beer? And it won the Emperor’s Cup too?!

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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.

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Beer that goes with kamaboko! That concept feels like it should have existed already.

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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.

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What! They made beer from the ginger soy sauce used in Himeji oden?!

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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.

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Tiger Cat! That name is adorable. Where can you drink it?

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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.

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Directly connected to the station, with kamaboko and beer! Being able to taste both an old-established flavor and a new challenge in one sip means I definitely want to go!

Signature beers: Himeji WHITELord GINGERIPATiger Cat GoldenWEIZEN

Himeji craft beer spots in