Aratae Ale

Do you know the word "aratae"? In kanji, it's written "麁服."

It's a hemp fabric used in the enthronement ceremony and Daijo-sai rite for the emperor, and it has been woven in Awa, or Tokushima, since ancient times. The craft beer named after it is "Aratae Ale." It carries the wish to share beer culture from the land of Awa.

What's interesting is that it uses sudachi peel along with sake lees from their own group company's junmai daiginjo. That's a craft only possible because the parent company also makes sake.

There are three standard varieties. "Premium Rich" is defined by a full-bodied richness that combines malt, hops, and citrus peel. "Fine Dry" is a crisp dry style with the umami of sake lees. "Citrus Wheat" is a refreshing version finished with coriander and yuzu peel.

There’s a brewery in Toiyamachi in Tokushima City, and in Minami-Tamiya they also run a taproom called "Aratae Brewery & Cafe." It's also available as a hometown tax return gift, so you can get it even from far away.