Kiuchi Brewery

A sake brewery since 1823, Kiuchi branched out into beer in 1996 to offer constant (rather than seasonal) work to its brewers.  It is now one of the largest microbreweries in Japan. Perhaps more importantly, it’s the only one in the Kanto area where you can brew your own.

Since the average visitor is better-versed in consumption than creation, the brewery provides expert tutelage in fermenting your own brew. For details, check the main article on how to make your own beer at Kiuchi here.

There is also a restaurant on the premises which does a great soba lunch set. The brewery takes over the final fermentation and bottling, and prints out labels which you design.

The smallest batch possible makes 45 bottles and costs ¥27,180, or ¥604 a bottle: if you brew more you pay slightly less (i.e. 180 bottles at ¥532 each). Reservations are essential. The brewery is located in Naka city, Ibaraki, around a two hour drive from Tokyo on the Joban expressway, or a two to two-and-a-half hour train ride on the Joban and Suigun lines (Hitachikonosu station).