Shiroyama Brewery

Shiroyama Brewery is a brewery inside Kagoshima's Shiroyama Hotel, and the story of how it got here is pretty interesting.

It actually started in 1998 as "Hakata Nakasu Brewery" inside Shiroyama Hotel in Hakata. But when that hotel closed in 2003, the brewing equipment was moved to Kagoshima, and it relaunched in 2004 as "Shiroyama Brewery."

And the brewery manager, Tomoyuki Kurakake, has been brewing beer since the Hakata days. Just two people, Tomoyuki Kurakake and Tomoko Kawazoe, brew every single variety.

What's more, the defining feature of their beer is that they use local ingredients from all over Kagoshima as adjuncts. Their "Belgian White," made with the peel of Sakurajima komikan, won gold at the International Beer Cup 2021.

The refreshing scent of komikan pairs beautifully with Belgian wit. They also make a "Stout" using brown sugar from Amami, a "Herb Ale" using pesticide-free lemongrass from Kushikino, and "Mansaki IPA" using chomeiso from Tokunoshima. Every glass is packed with the blessings of Kagoshima's remote islands and regions.

Another key point is that they brew with a malt content of 95% or more. Since the general standard for beer is 67% or higher, the malt flavor is much richer. They use hops from Yakima, Washington, and brew with Shiroyama's underground water.