Black Tide Brewing

Microbrewery in Kesennuma, Miyagi, Japan 🇯🇵
Associated Venue: Black Tide Brewing

Established in 2020

Contact
南町 3-2-5, Kesennuma, Japan
Description
【Our Mission】
At Black Tide Brewing, our mission is to bring fine craft beer to the world from Kesennuma.
【Our Story】
The Great East Japan Earthquake of 2011, Japan’s largest ever recorded, devastated the city of Kesennuma. The inner bay area of Kesennuma, its hub, was swept away by the massive tsunami triggered by the earthquake. To help restore and recover the city, Akihiko Sugawara, a local of Kesennuma, put out a “call to arms” throughout Japan marshalling specialists from varied trades:
・Fishing industry specialist: Hisashi Ishiwata
・Community development professional: Hiromasa Kokubun
・Restaurant management and consulting expert: Tomoyoshi Sen
・A publisher, traveler and expert craft beer hunter: Nobuhiro Tajima
At the same time, a man living in Portland Oregon (USA) dreamt about moving to a small town in Japan to brew craft beer. His name is James Watney. A PhD chemist, he has 13 years of brewing experience, including training at Portland’s own Culmination Brewing and Japan’s Isekadoya Brewing. He quickly fell in love with the culture and people of Kesennuma.
Knowledge, experience, sensitivity, and love for Kesennuma... As Head Brewer, James is moving to Kesennuma to pour his heart and soul into the brewing of BTB craft beer
Completing the team is Kazuya Tanji who has experience in the creation of two other Japanese craft breweries. He discovered Kesennuma while volunteering after The Great East Japan Earthquake. It is also no coincidence that he fell in love with Kesennuma. Tanji is now the Sales Manager of BTB.
【Our Home】
So what makes us so passionate about this project?
The answer is simple: our home, Kesennuma.
This city inevitably fascinates anyone who visits. Situated on the Sanriku coast, surrounded by brilliant green mountains, Kesennuma provides a truly special environment. Through its famous fishing industry, the city has long interacted with people and cultures from far away. Black Tide Brewing is proud to represent beautiful Kesennuma and show it to the world.

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6
Appearance - 6 | Aroma - 5.5 | Flavor - 6.5 | Texture - 6 | Overall - 6

Sample, thanks Robin Svensson! Lightly hazy golden, small head. Fruity nose with pineapple and white bread. Mid sweet with medium body and rounded mouthfeel. Spun sugar, quitten, sligt marzipan and hints of tropical fruit. Mid bitter finish.

Tried on 10 Dec 2025 at 21:47


Beer tick image

7.4
Appearance - 7 | Aroma - 7 | Flavor - 7.5 | Texture - 8 | Overall - 7.5

Black Tide Momiji Saison 7%

Copper color with thick foam that didn’t last so long. Rich saison aroma with pepper notes. Medium bodied. It’s got a bit of a vinous taste and a slightly boozy finish.

Not your standard saison.

Tried from Can on 21 Oct 2025 at 15:46


7.6
Appearance - 8 | Aroma - 7.5 | Flavor - 7.5 | Texture - 8 | Overall - 7.5

Tried on 07 Oct 2025 at 21:49


4
Appearance - 4 | Aroma - 4 | Flavor - 4 | Texture - 4 | Overall - 4

Can Robin 2025-10-03 Göteborg AR: sour, red berries, yeasty citric AP: wee hazy pink, no head F: sour, red berries, yeasty citric

Tried from Can on 04 Oct 2025 at 14:13


6

Thanks Timo M.

Tried from Can on 03 Oct 2025 at 19:44


7.6
Appearance - 6 | Aroma - 8 | Flavor - 8 | Texture - 8 | Overall - 7.5

Black Tide Tidal V Belgian IPA 6.5%

A matte murky orange honey amber color with thick beige foam. Very white pepper aroma with piney fruity aroma. Medium to full bodied with a really tasty flavor. Not the nicest looking brew but solid.

Tried on 12 Jul 2025 at 09:26


7.8
Appearance - 7 | Aroma - 8 | Flavor - 7.5 | Texture - 8 | Overall - 8

Black Tide 5 Bitter 4.5%

Golden murky amber brown with a dollop of beige foam. Medium bodied with a malty pine aroma. Well balanced with more hop bitterness than I expected. It’s very crisp and clean.

Tried from Can on 08 Jul 2025 at 15:48


6.4
Appearance - 7 | Aroma - 7 | Flavor - 6 | Texture - 6 | Overall - 6

Very dark amber color. Black tea, roasted malt, cherries. Light medium bitterness. But not good Malt backbone and not that well balanced. It got better as it warmed but still Ok.

Tried on 10 Jun 2025 at 13:38


6.9
Appearance - 7 | Aroma - 7 | Flavor - 7 | Texture - 7 | Overall - 6.5

Semi dry lots of citrus and mangoes. Low carbonation and bitterness. A bit simple good stuff

Tried on 17 May 2025 at 11:46


5.9
Appearance - 7 | Aroma - 5 | Flavor - 5 | Texture - 6 | Overall - 7

Amber color lots of stone. Thin body bitter. Simple and not well made.

Tried on 17 May 2025 at 11:44