Izumo Daikoku Beer

Do you know Momen Kaido? It's a brewing district in Hirata, Izumo, where Edo-period streetscapes still remain, and there's a brewery operating out of a traditional house there.

It's Izumo Daikoku Beer. The "Daikoku" in the name comes from Okuninushi-no-Okami of Izumo Taisha. And the story behind this brewery is interesting.

The head brewer, Shun Tsuchiya, moved to Izumo from Chiba, and apparently he didn't really drink beer at all at first.

That's exactly why he can create recipes that are approachable even for people who don't usually drink beer. The representative, Mr. Ochiai, and his team came from Asahi Beer, and they also have an unusual background running a hostel and cafe in Arima Onsen. They took over a brewery that had been shut down and started with the goal of sharing Izumo's culture with the whole country.

And the one to watch is "Shiro Usagi White Ale." It's a Belgian white inspired by the White Hare of Inaba, and it uses chamomile, yuzu, and Japanese tea. Their standard "Daikoku Ale" is a pale ale, and "Daikoku Lager" is a crisp pilsner-style beer. They are also working on a "Sustainable Line" that makes use of local ingredients that would otherwise be discarded.