Imabari Machinaka Bakushu : At a Glance
- Opened : July 2020
- Japanese name : 今治街中麦酒
- Location : Imabari, Ehime
- First beer : Honey Pale Ale (October 2020)
- Head brewer : Shunichi Nakajima (中島俊一)
- Homepage : https://imabari-machinaka-bakusyu.com/
Table of Contents
Imabari Machinaka Bakushu : Background
Located in the centre of Imabari, Ehime, Imabari Machinaka Bakushu is a small brewpub with a bigger ambition than simply making good beer. The brewery opened in 2020 in the city’s shopping district, combining a compact brewery with a taproom where the beers can be enjoyed just metres from where they are made. The idea is closely tied to revitalising Imabari’s town centre and creating a place where locals and visitors can meet over a beer.
Head brewer and manager Shunichi Nakajima came to brewing from a rather different direction. Having previously worked in the development of medical equipment, Nakajima became interested in craft beer after discovering the variety of American craft beer while travelling for work. He eventually decided to pursue brewing seriously, gaining experience at breweries around Japan. One of the biggest influences was Tono Brewing in Iwate, where he saw how a brewery could become a gathering point for both local residents and visitors.
That community-focused approach became central to Imabari Machinaka Bakushu. The brewery was established as part of a wider regional-development project by Arigatou Service, a company based in Imabari involved in businesses including food, leisure and local revitalisation. Brewing began during the difficult months of 2020, with the brewery receiving its manufacturing licence in July before opening in October.
The original lineup included Honey Pale Ale, Peach Wheat Ale, Hazy IPA and Cacao Milk Stout, giving drinkers a deliberately broad introduction to different beer styles. Since then, the range has expanded to include pale ales, IPAs, stouts, saisons and fruit beers, with local ingredients playing an increasingly important role.
Ehime’s abundance of citrus is an obvious starting point, with beers such as God Island Lemon Ale and Harehime Hazy IPA showcasing locally grown fruit. The brewery has also worked with Ehime honey and other regional ingredients. Its beers have picked up several awards, including gold for Harehime Hazy IPA and a gold medal at the International Beer Cup 2023 for its limited Mango Hazy Pale Ale.
The brewery’s location is an important part of the story. Rather than being tucked away on an industrial estate, the brewhouse sits directly in the shopping district, with the brewing equipment visible from the taproom. Fresh beer, local ingredients and a desire to bring people back into the centre of Imabari are all part of the same idea.
For a city better known internationally as the gateway to the Shimanami Kaido and for its shipbuilding and towel industries, this small brewpub with big ambitions offers another reason to stop in town: locally brewed beer served almost directly from the tank.
Imabari Machinaka Bakushu : Beer Reviews
The following are some of the beers we’ve had:
- Imabari Machinaka IPA – a 7% American IPA brewed using five different hops : Amarillo, Cascade, Chinook, Sabro, and Simcoe.
Imabari Machinaka Bakushu : Articles
The following are some of the articles we’ve done:
- Imabari Machinaka Bakushu (Imabari / Ehime) – a short write up about the taproom attached to the brewery, found in central Imabari city.
Imabari Machinaka Bakushu : Details
- Address : 3 -4-13 Tokiwacho, Imabari, Ehime 794-0015
- Phone : 0898-35-4313
- Homepage : https://imabari-machinaka-bakusyu.com/
- Online store : https://imb.theshop.jp/
- Social Media : Facebook / Instagram
