A wise friend once told us to “brew the beers you want to drink.” We took that advice to heart. While there are many great beers brewed in Japan, we still felt that there was something missing--no one brewery that fully satisfied all of our beer desires. We started KBC to fill that desire, believing that there were many others out there who felt the same way and would rally behind our products. For our inspiration, we looked to the two brewing traditions that excited us the most: American and Belgium.
American craft beer has done more to change the face of the brewing world in the last 30 years than anything else out there. New hops, new styles, new hybrid beers, new extremes of high (and low) ABVs and IBUs. This is what we aspire for; never being afraid to try something new just because it hasn’t been done before or someone tells you that it can’t be.
Belgium is much more steeped in history and tradition, but is just as willing to continue doing what works for them, not what others tell them they should do. Effects from different yeast, both selected and wild; different taste sensations from the sweet, to the dry, the light, the heavy, the bitter and the sour, Belgian beer has been hugely varied and complex in both its methods of production and results.
While beers from both of these traditions are interesting on their own, we feel that combining our favourite aspects from both produce a more unique and rewarding product. Our house yeast is a Belgian strain. The majority of the hops we use are American. Combining both in interesting and unique ways makes for inspired beers, flavourful products, and a really fun brewing experience. This is our starting point. Where our journey will take us and what beers we will make in the future, we do not yet know.
Tap in Kyoto. Very dark brown with a wisp of beige head. Aroma of light roast, dark bread, cola nut, coffee some licorice. And so it tastes, but with some intrigue as it warms a little: dark bread, hints of berries, chocolate and spices. Little bitterness but dry and intense at the end after subtleties in the middle. Very good.
Tap at the brewery. Great hoppy nose, grapefruit, light tropical fruit, herbal, leafy, with a wheaty, lightly biscuity malt underneath. Flavors of wheat biscuits, grapefruit, herbs. Light tartness, solid malts. A great summer drinker.
very cloudy, big fruity, citrusy nose that is modestly tart. The mouth is light citrusy with big yeasty character. Big fruity finish. The citrusy character just lingers. Love the tartness, so well integrated. Fantastic if you like fruit beers
Kyoto Brewing San San 5.4% A glowing thick gold with a honey and citrus aroma, kind of like smelling fruit leaves and all. Tart Kalimantan and wheaty soda bread with a zesty carbonation and a dry finish. Somewhat seltzer like but tasty. Needs a bit more fruit/sweetness to take it to the next level.
Tap at Takumiya. Pale gold, cloudy, with lace. Nose is orange, coriander, biscuit. Spicy, fruity flavor, sweet malts, biscuits, not much hopping. Crisp, good body, with a decent peppery finish, but too spicy and sweet and reminds me of so many American saisons that I don’t like that much.
Tap at CBM Terrace. Glowing straw with a finger of foam. Juicy, citrus nose with nice a nice Belgian saison yeast character. Citrusy, yuzu like notes on the palate with some perceived wheat character. Nice dry and fruity finish. Really nice take on a fruit saison.