Nanto Shuzo

Nanto Shuzo's OKINAWA SANGO BEER is all about its water, which makes up 90% of beer and is anything but ordinary. They use 100% natural water pumped from 100 meters underground in Gyokusendo, a limestone cave formed over 300,000 years by a coral reef - coral water.

What's more, that water source belongs to the Kakkan Higawa water system, which was selected as one of Japan's 100 Famous Waters, and it's hard water packed with calcium and minerals. In brewing, you'd normally adjust this hardness, but the mineral character really comes through in the flavor.

The lineup is broad. The Kölsch is fruity and crisp, with a white-wine-like nuance. The IPA is a refreshing American-style beer with citrus notes. The Alt has an exquisite balance of malt bitterness and richness, with an elegant aroma that spreads through the palate. The Black Ale has the roasted malt aroma you'd expect, yet it drinks light.

Actually, since the days of their predecessor, Nhede Beer, they've been a regular at competitions. They won awards at the World Beer Cup and the International Beer Cup, and in 2016 they rebranded as OKINAWA SANGO BEER. Brewer Mitsugu Tsuhako has continued to maintain the quality.

Even after the rebrand, the Alt won silver at the Asia Beer Cup 2017, and the Kölsch has won four years in a row at the Japan Great Beer Awards. What's more, the brewery is located on the grounds of Okinawa World, so after touring the Gyokusendo limestone cave, you can drink freshly brewed coral beer right there.

Exactly. It's rare to be able to taste the water polished by coral over tens of thousands of years through beer like this. With Tsuhako-san's hands guiding it, it feels like Okinawa's nature is packed into every glass.