Fukushige Shokuhin Brewery

Fukushige Shokuhin Brewery in Higashikagawa, Kagawa Prefecture. What's remarkable is that a single female brewer handles everything there, from brewing to bottling to sales.

Her name is Yukiko Fukushige. She used to be an office worker at a local company, but she made up her mind and jumped into the world of beer brewing. She trained intensively for six months at Kibidote-shita Beer Brewery in Okayama, and started brewing in 2018.

The main labels are named in kanji, and the naming is really stylish. 'Saku' is a pale ale, 'Hitsuji' is a weizen, and 'Yoi' is a porter. She makes about 10 varieties.

'Saku' has restrained bitterness and a gentle sweetness, so it pairs well with just about any meal. It's the perfect beer for beginners. Another highlight is the fruit beers made with local ingredients. They also brew seasonal limited editions using secondary ingredients like Kagawa-grown Pione grapes, sudachi citrus, strawberries, and melons.

The brewery is in the Mizushi district, and the location is great. It's surrounded by three mountains, Mount Hongu, Mount Nachi, and Mount Toramaru, and they use spring water from those mountains as the brewing water. The large temperature swings in summer and the well-drained terrain are the foundation for this gentle, full-bodied flavor.

There's also an online shop, and they actively set up at events. Direct sales at the brewery are available too. They even offer a one-day brewing experience, so I think it's irresistible for anyone who wants to see the brewing process up close.