Okayama Saidaiji Beer Brewery

Okayama Saidaiji Beer Brewery is a brewery that makes beer using yeast collected from a temple tree.

The representative, Ippei Kawasaki, is a local from Saidaiji, and he started brewing beer because he wanted to create reasons for people to come to Saidaiji beyond the Hadaka Festival. From the black tupelo tree standing in the grounds of Saidaiji Kannon-in Temple, called "akura" in Okayama dialect, they collect natural yeast from its fruit.

The flagship beer made with that yeast is "AkURA." It is a light ale with 3% alcohol, characterized by a gentle malt sweetness. Another beer, "Kuranoko," is a porter-style beer at 4%, with a hint of acidity alongside roasted aromas.

It's nice that it's designed so you can casually drink it from daytime. Kawasaki's goal is to give people a reason to visit Saidaiji through beer, so the barrier to entry is kept low.

It's part of a mixed-use facility called Gofuku Kobo, renovated from an 85-year-old warehouse. A cafe, pizza workshop, bar, and brewery are all integrated, and music and beer blend into the retro streetscape. This concept won the grand prize at the Okayama Revitalization Business Plan Awards.

They're also working on a project to develop beer in collaboration with a university lab, so they're trying to energize the town through beer by involving not only local residents but also the next generation.