Background
Ginga Kogen Beer, meaning “Galaxy Highlands Beer,” was established in 1996 in Sawauchi Village (now part of Nishiwaga Town) in Iwate Prefecture, Japan. The brewery was founded as a revitalization project to stimulate the local economy by leveraging the region’s abundant natural resources and climate. Sawauchi’s heavy snowfall and pure natural water, combined with a climate similar to Germany’s, provided an ideal environment for brewing high-quality beer.
The name “Ginga Kogen” was chosen to honor the 100th anniversary of poet Kenji Miyazawa’s birth in 1996, reflecting a connection to the region’s cultural heritage. Wine of Japan Since its inception, Ginga Kogen Beer has been recognized for its craftsmanship, earning awards such as the Asia Beer Cup Gold in 2012 and 2016, and the Japan Craft Beer Selection Diamond Award in 2009 and 2010.
In 2017, Yo-Ho Brewing Company took over ownership of the brewery, acquiring 100% of the shares. In 2023, the company then dissolved and all beers are now brewed at Yo-Ho Brewing Company.
Beer Reviews
The following are some of the beers we’ve had:
- Ginga Kogen Komugi no Beer – a 5% hefeweizen brewed using a South German recipe. Ginga Kogen Star Bottle is the bottled version of this beer.
- Ginga Kogen Weizen Beer – a 5% hefeweizen that is also freshly brewed and unpasteurized. Ginga Kogen Star Bottle is the bottled version of this beer.
Limited & Seasonal Beer Reviews
The following are some of their limited and seasonal beers we’ve had:
- Ginga Kogen Extra Pale Ale – Take the Ginga Kogen Pale Ale and make it even hoppier with Citrus hops to produce this 5.0% XPA on sale from mid-January.
- Ginga Kogen Pale Ale – a 5% English style pale ale that is on sale from Spring time onwards.
- Ginga Kogen Pilsner – a 5% pilsner that is conditioned for twice the amount of time as is normal and non-filtered.
- Ginga Kogen Shiro Beer – a 5% Belgian white beer that is on sale from early March until stocks last.
- Ginga Kogen Soyokaze Kolsch – a 5% kölsch style beer that is part of their summer seasonal list.
- Ginga Kogen Strong Wheat – A 6% weizenbock that is best served at 10c or more rather than chilled on sale from mid-December.
Details
- Address : 3-647-1, Sawauchi Kaisawa, Nishi-waga town, Waga-gun, Iwate 029-5703
- Phone : 0197-85-5321
- Homepage : https://gingakogenbeer.com/
- Online store : –
- Social Media : Facebook / Instagram
