Ishigaki Island Beer Kobo

Ishigaki Island Beer Kobo is a pretty unique brewery that has a business partnership with a craft beer maker called AGAINST THE GRAIN, based in Louisville, Kentucky, USA.

They have an exclusive manufacturing and sales agreement for the Asia region, including Japan, and ATG handles everything from designing the brewing equipment to teaching the recipes. The representative, Osamu Hori, is originally from Hokkaido. He went to France at age 21 to study food, then started a Western confectionery shop called Amore in Sapporo. This food professional began brewing beer on Ishigaki Island in 2018.

They also studied brewing techniques from southern Germany and developed original recipes suited to Ishigaki Island's climate and food culture. The malt comes from Germany and Canada, the hops from the United States and the Czech Republic, and the brewing water is local Ishigaki Island water. Ingredients from around the world and the island's water come together in one glass.

There are six varieties, and the flagship is an American pale ale called "A Beer." In addition to Weizen, Amber Ale, and Pilsner, they also offer "Pineapple Ale," made with Okinawan pineapple juice, and a golden ale called "Shonafu."

The concept of Ishigaki Island ATG is to pursue flavors that perfectly match this subtropical climate and landscape. What makes it stand out is how American brewing know-how is combined with European malt and hops, along with the island's water and ingredients.