Kakuida Brewery

Have you heard of Kakuida Brewery? It's in Kirishima, and it's actually a brewery run by Fukuyama Kurozu, the company that originally makes black vinegar.

Pretty interesting, right? Black vinegar and beer both have fermentation in common. The brewer in charge, Mr. Takeshita, studied microbiology at university and joined a black vinegar maker, so he's a fermentation expert. Back when he was a student, he loved beer so much that he even considered working for a beer company.

There's also another craftsman from the local area named Mr. Niiyama, who was trained directly in fermentation techniques by a senior black vinegar master brewer. These two make beer together, taking inspiration from Belgian lambic.

Their flagship, 'Kakuida White Ale,' is a Belgian white beer made with orange peel and coriander, and it's known for its fruity, rich aroma. They also make a 'lactic-fermented yuzu sour,' which has a wonderfully soft acidity from lactic fermentation and the aroma of yuzu.

They've won awards at both the Japan Great Beer Awards and the International Beer Cup. And the location of the brewery is incredible too, since it's right next to the black vinegar jar fields. The first floor includes the jar field, a shop, and the beer brewery, while the second floor houses a black vinegar restaurant.

Most of it gets consumed at the attached restaurant, so you don't often see it outside, but they sometimes appear at department store product fairs. If you spot it, buy it on the spot.