Locobeer Information

Locobeer : At a Glance

• Opened : 1998; Independent in 2012
• Japanese name : ロコビア
• Location : Sakura, Chiba
• First beer : 1998
• Head brewer : Momoyo Kagitani (鍵谷百代)
• Homepage : https://www.locobeer.jp/home_ja.php

Locobeer : Background

LocoBeer is one of Chiba’s longest-running craft breweries, having started brewing in Sakura in 1998. Tucked away inside the Shimoaru Yukarigaoka liquor store, the brewery has spent more than two decades quietly producing beer while developing a reputation that extends well beyond its home city. Its motto, “Small Brewery, Big Beer,” is a pretty good summary of the approach.

The brewery was originally established by Shimoaru, a Chiba-based liquor retailer, as part of the late-1990s Japanese craft beer boom. LocoBeer initially operated on a tiny scale, with its first beers including Sakura Kaori no Nama. The brewery’s early brewing process was somewhat limited, however, as it initially purchased concentrated wort rather than handling the entire brewing process itself. That changed after the first year, when disappointing feedback from customers prompted the brewery to invest heavily in proper brewing equipment and take control of the entire process.

At the centre of the brewery’s story is Momoyo Kagitani, who became involved in brewing almost by accident. She had joined Shimoaru in 1995 and was working in retail when the company’s owner asked whether she would consider making local beer. She accepted the challenge and, despite having no previous brewing experience, began teaching herself the craft. She eventually became the brewery’s long-time brewing manager, running much of the operation herself.

That hands-on approach helped shape LocoBeer’s character. Rather than concentrating on a single style, the brewery has spent years experimenting with different beer traditions from around the world. Its range has included everything from Kölsch and Belgian-style beers to porters, saisons, wheat beers and stronger speciality releases. Sakura Kaori no Nama, an unfiltered Kölsch-style beer, became one of its best-known beers and has received international recognition, including medals at the World Beer Cup.

Another important chapter came in 2012, when the brewery became an independent company owned by its employees. The brewery continued its small-scale approach while gaining greater freedom to experiment with different styles and ingredients. The company was formally established as LocoBeer LLC in April 2012, with its brewing licence following later that year.

Today, LocoBeer remains based in the same part of Sakura, producing beer alongside the Shimoaru Yukarigaoka store. There is nothing particularly flashy about the operation, and that is part of its appeal. This is a brewery built around persistence, experimentation and a genuine interest in brewing rather than chasing whatever happens to be fashionable. After more than 25 years, LocoBeer remains a small brewery by Japanese standards, but its history and range demonstrate that small does not have to mean insignificant. From a late-1990s local beer project to an independent brewery with internationally recognised beers, LocoBeer has quietly earned its place in the history of Japanese craft beer.

Locobeer : Beer Reviews

The following are some of the beers we’ve had:

• Locobeer Sakura Steam – a 5% California Commons style beer that uses lager yeast fermented at warmer temperatures.
• Locobeer Sakura Kaori no Nama – a 5% kölsch style beer that came about after Kagitani’s visits to Cologne, Germany.

Locobeer : Limited & Seasonal Lineup

The following are some of the limited and seasonal beers we’ve had:

• Locobeer American Barleywine– a 9.5% barley wine style beer that is brewed as part of the one year anniversary celebration.
• Locobeer Geishun (New Year’s Greetings) – An 8.5% Belgian Tripel brewed with Noble hops and is sold in 750ml bottles.
• Locobeer General Winter – a 7% “old ale” that is roughly equivalent to lying somewhere in-between a barley wine usually available around autumn time.
• Locobeer Immigrant Pilsner – a 5.5% American pilsner brewed using corn and also Cluster hops usually available around spring time.
• Locobeer Imperial Stout – a 9% imperial stout that is part of their 5th anniversary celebration range.
• Locobeer InBA by Locobeer – a 6% India Black Ale though each year uses a different hop usually available around autumn time.
• Locobeer Peanuts Jiro – a 5% milk stout brewed for Beer O’Clock’s sixth anniversary, and Bistro Recolte’s second anniversary.
• Locobeer Pink Boots Blend Milkshake IPA – a 7% Milkshake IPA brewed for their 2019 Pink Boots effort.
• Locobeer Saison de Seigle – a 5.5% saison beer that is brewed with rye malt in the mash usually available around spring time.
• Locobeer Saison de Noël – a 9% saison beer that is brewed to be drunk with friends and family usually available around winter time.
• Locobeer Tangerine Trip – a 5.5% saison style beer that uses locally sourced Fukure oranges.
• Locobeer Wee Heavy – an 8.5% strong Scotch Ale that undergoes fermentation for a month and aged for seven.

Brewery : Details

• Address : 〒285-0854 Chiba-ken, Sakura-shi, Joza 1193
• Phone : –
• Homepage: http://www.locobeer.jp/home_ja.php
• Online store: http://shop.locobeer.jp/
• SNS: Facebook / Instagram

Brewery : Location