Hitachino

Japan

Hitachino Nest is the beer brand of Kiuchi Brewery, a sake and shochu producer founded by village headman Kiuchi Gihei in 1823 in Naka, Ibaraki, Japan. Kiuchi Brewery started life producing sake and shochu; craft beer production began in 1996, when Toshiyuki Kiuchi launched the Hitachino Nest range, which includes an alcohol-free line. The brewery continues to produce sake, shochu, and beer from its Ibaraki base, grows its own hops, and matures Hitachino Nest beers in shochu casks.

Hitachino Nest distributes to more than 30 countries and operates brewing labs, taprooms, and restaurants at locations from Tokyo to San Francisco. The brand's owl logo identifies the range internationally.

The alcohol-free beers are produced year-round and brewed as malt alternatives. The range suits drinkers looking to reduce their alcohol intake within the craft beer category, and is available through a broad retail footprint as well as the brewery's own venues.

At a Glance