Black Tide Brewing

BLACK TIDE BREWING in Kesennuma is already an indispensable part of Miyagi's craft beer scene.

Yes. The name comes from the Kuroshio Current that flows off Kesennuma. It launched in 2020, and the team is impressive. It was founded by local sake brewery owner Akihiko Sugawara, joined by a community development professional, a food and beverage business professional, and the brewmaster, an American named James Watney.

James trained at a brewery in Portland, and he'd long dreamed of living in Japan and making beer there. He fell in love with Kesennuma and moved there. So he specializes in American-style IPA and Hazy IPA, and the hops he uses include Citra, Mosaic, Simcoe, and Idaho 7, all true to the original style.

"Kesennuma Pride," an IPA at 6.5%. As the name suggests, it's the flagship that carries Kesennuma's pride. They also make "Hoya Boya," a 7.0% Hazy IPA collaboration with Kesennuma's tourism character, Hoya Boya.

What's more, they've brewed more than 200 kinds of beer in just five years. Annual production is 150,000 liters, and their fan club, "BTB CREW," has more than 180 members nationwide. They even opened a taproom in Sendai, and they are also moving ahead with a plan to build a second factory and turn it into a tourist spot overlooking the inner bay area.

Their mission is "BREWED WITH PRIDE IN KESENNUMA." They make beer that they can be proud of on a global scale together with the people of Kesennuma. It really hits home that a brewery born from the earthquake has become a point of pride for the town.