Nanki Shirahama Nagisa Beer

Nagisa Beer has this story about its founder, Kazuya Manabe, and it feels like something out of a movie.

When he was 20, he discovered Yebisu Beer in Kyoto and thought, "Someday I want to make beer myself." From there, he steadily saved money, went to the U.S. to learn brewing, and returned to his hometown of Shirahama at 29 to start the company in 1996.

The name "Nagisa" also has a great story. It comes from the Manabe family shop name. His grandparents ran an inn called "Nagisa" at the Shirahama pier, his father operated a barbershop called "Nagisa," and Kazuya, the third generation, carried that shop name over to the beer.

The brewing water is special too. They use "Tomita no Mizu," a natural spring water located two kilometers inland from the entrance to Tomita-zaka on the Kumano Kodo. It has won the Monde Selection Grand Gold Medal repeatedly.

Their standard lineup has four beers: Pale Ale, American Wheat, IPA, and Mikan Ale. The Pale Ale won Gold and Category Champion at the International Beer Cup 2021, and the American Wheat won Gold at the World Beer Awards 2024. They're regulars at international competitions.

What's interesting is the Shirahama Hop Project. They grow hops on the grounds of Nanki Shirahama Airport and use those hops to make an annual airport beer called "Soramai." It connects airport greening efforts with beer brewing.

The brewery is near Sandanbeki Cave and Senjojiki, and you can even take a free factory tour. They've long been committed to unpasteurized, unfiltered draft beer, continuing to pursue beer that suits the delicate taste of Japanese drinkers.