Otaru Beer (小樽ビール) using the over 200 years brewing method, which only brews beer by water, malt, hops, and yeast. Otaru Bakusyu (小樽麦酒) uses organic malt and hops and brews by Hokkaido Brewery. Not like others, Otaru Winery Beer (おたるワイナリービール) brew beers with groundwater from Mt. Kenashi, Otaru.
Table of Contents
Otaru Beer 小樽ビール
Brewery: 小樽ビール銭函醸造所
Address: 3 Chome-263-19 Zenibako, Otaru, Hokkaido 047-0261
Contact: +81 134 61 2280Official
Website: Japanese only [Click Here]
Types of Craft Beer
List in no particular order.
Pilsner（ピルスナー）
Otaru Pilsner features a gold color and has a unique smoothness.
| Type | German Beer | ABV | 4.9% |
| Body | Soft | Yeast Fermentation | Bottom |
| Beer Style | Pilsner/ Pale lager | Brewery | 小樽ビール銭函醸造所 |
| State | Hokkaido | Country | Japan |
Dunkel（ドンケル）
It’s a dark German lager. Otaru Dunkel offers a creamy foam and caramel flavor.
| Type | German Beer | ABV | 5.2% |
| Body | Mouth-Coating | Yeast Fermentation | Bottom |
| Beer Style | Dunkel/ Lager | Brewery | 小樽ビール銭函醸造所 |
| State | Hokkaido | Country | Japan |
Weiss（ヴァイス）
Otaru Weiss has a unique fruity aroma by top-fermenting it with special homemade yeast. It features a banana fruity taste.
| Type | German Wheat Beer | ABV | 5.4% |
| Body | Mouth-Coating | Yeast Fermentation | Top |
| Beer Style | Weissbier (Weizenbier)/ Ale | Brewery | 小樽ビール銭函醸造所 |
| State | Hokkaido | Country | Japan |
Non-Alcoholic Beer 0.00% (ノンアルコールビール 0.00%)
It’s a non-alcoholic light lager beer. Generally, non-alcoholic beer has a strong malt taste and an assertive hop bitterness. But many people are surprised by the taste of Otaru non-alcoholic beer. This unique Otaru non-alcoholic beer has a good balance of richness and bitterness. It’s hard to find such a well-balanced non-alcoholic beer in the world.
| Type | Hokkaido Beer | ABV | 0.00% |
| Body | – | Yeast Fermentation | – |
| Beer Style | – | Brewery | 小樽ビール銭函醸造所 |
| State | Hokkaido | Country | Japan |
Non-Alcoholic Beer Black 0.00% (ノンアルコールビール ブラック 0.00%)
It is the first black beer in the brewery. It enhances the roasted wheat flavour and brings a rich and creamy foam with a deep fragrant richness and taste.
| Type | Hokkaido Beer | ABV | 0.00% |
| Body | Yeast Fermentation | ||
| Beer Style | Brewery | 小樽ビール銭函醸造所 | |
| State | Hokkaido | Country | Japan |
Seasonal Beer (季節限定醸造ビール)
Otaru Beer offers many seasonal limited beers.
February: Bamberger (バンベルガー)
The balance of malt and smoked flavour created by moderate bitterness is very exquisite. Perfect for cheese and meat dishes.
| Type | German Beer | ABV | 5.6% |
| Body | Moderate | Yeast Fermentation | Bottom |
| Beer Style | Bamberg Rauchbier (Smoked Beer)/ Lager | Brewery | 小樽ビール銭函醸造所 |
| State | Hokkaido | Country | Japan |
April: Helles (ヘレス)
Helles is a dark lager beer. It’s malty and sweet, with weak hop bitterness.
| Type | German Beer | ABV | 5% |
| Body | Moderate | Yeast Fermentation | Bottom |
| Beer Style | Helles/ Dark lager | Brewery | 小樽ビール銭函醸造所 |
| State | Hokkaido | Country | Japan |
June: Changes every year
July: Schwarz (シュヴァルツ)
It’s a former east German traditional dark beer. The Schwarz that Otaru Beer brews are slightly lighter than traditional beer, and it features a light mouthfeel, espresso flavor, and creamy foam.
| Type | German Beer | ABV | 4.8% |
| Body | Soft | Yeast Fermentation | Bottom |
| Beer Style | Schwarzbiers/ Dark lager | Brewery | 小樽ビール銭函醸造所 |
| State | Hokkaido | Country | Japan |
September: Fest (フェスト)
It has a strong malt scent and a slight sweetness.
| Type | German Beer | ABV | 5.4% |
| Body | Moderate | Yeast Fermentation | Bottom |
| Beer Style | Festbier/ Pale Lager | Brewery | 小樽ビール銭函醸造所 |
| State | Hokkaido | Country | Japan |
December: Dunkel Bock (ドンケル・ボック)
Dunkel Bock beer has been the favourite beer for Christmas in the Royal family. The flavour is bread crust.
| Type | German Beer | ABV | 8.5% |
| Body | Soft | Yeast Fermentation | |
| Beer Style | Dunkel Bock/ Lager | Brewery | 小樽ビール銭函醸造所 |
| State | Hokkaido | Country | Japan |
31 December: Ice Bock (アイス・ボック)
It’s a high-class German beer. The rich and unique flavour makes your chest clear when you take a sip.
| Type | German Beer | ABV | 13.5% |
| Body | Soft | Yeast Fermentation | Bottom |
| Beer Style | Bock/ Lager | Brewery | 小樽ビール銭函醸造所 |
| State | Hokkaido | Country | Japan |
Otaru Bakusyu 小樽麦酒
Brewery: Hokkaido Brewery 北海道麦酒醸造株式会社
Address: 1 Chome-8-16 Takashima, Otaru, Hokkaido 047-0048
Contact: +81 134 21 0775
Official Website: Japanese only [Click Here]
Types of Craft Beer
List in no particular order. Organic Beer: Otaru Beer Pilsner. Four craft beers do not use organic ingredients: Otaru Beer Amber Ale, Otaru Ale, Otaru Dark, Otaru Lager.
Otaru Beer Pilsner 小樽麦酒 ピルスナー
It uses organic malt and aroma hops. Light and refreshing with bitterness characterised the taste.
| Type | German Beer | ABV | 5% |
| Body | Soft | Yeast Fermentation | Bottom |
| Beer Style | Pilsner/ Pale Lager | Brewery | Hokkaido Brewery |
| State | Hokkaido | Country | Japan |
Otaru Beer Amber Ale 小樽麦酒 アンバーエール
Otaru Beer Amber Ale is named after the amber colour, and it features a smooth and malty taste.
| Type | English Beer | ABV | 5% |
| Body | Mouth-Coating | Yeast Fermentation | Top |
| Beer Style | Amber Ale | Brewery | Hokkaido Brewery |
| State | Hokkaido | Country | Japan |
Otaru Ale 小樽麦酒 オタルエール
Otaru Ale is a fruity ale, very drinkable.
| Type | Hokkaido Beer | ABV | 5% |
| Body | Soft | Yeast Fermentation | Top |
| Beer Style | Ale | Brewery | Hokkaido Brewery |
| State | Hokkaido | Country | Japan |
Otaru Dark 小樽麦酒 オタルダーク
It uses roasted malt. It features fine foam and roast malty with hop bitterness.
| Type | Hokkaido Beer | ABV | 5.5% |
| Body | Soft | Yeast Fermentation | Bottom |
| Beer Style | Lager | Brewery | Hokkaido Brewery |
| State | Hokkaido | Country | Japan |
Otaru Lager 小樽麦酒 オタルラガー
It’s a light lager beer with a refreshing taste.
| Type | Hokkaido Beer | ABV | 5% |
| Body | Soft | Yeast Fermentation | Bottom |
| Beer Style | Lager | Brewery | Hokkaido Brewery |
| State | Hokkaido | Country | Japan |
Otaru Winery Beer おたるワイナリービール
Brewery: Hokkaido Wine 北海道ワイン株式会社
Address: 1 Chome-130番地 Asarigawaonsen, Otaru, Hokkaido 047-0154
Contact: +81 134 34 2181
Official Website: Japanese only [Click Here]
Types of Craft Beers
List in no particular order.
Helles ヘレス
It’s a golden lager that balances a pleasant malt sweetness.
| Type | German Beer | ABV | 5% |
| Body | Moderate | Yeast Fermentation | Bottom |
| Beer Style | Helles/ Lager | Brewery | Hokkaido Wine |
| State | Hokkaido | Country | Japan |
Weizen ヴァイテェン
It’s a white beer with a fruity (banana) taste.
| Type | German Wheat Beer | ABV | 5% |
| Body | Mouth-Coating | Yeast Fermentation | Top |
| Beer Style | Weissbier (Weizenbier)/ Ale | Brewery | Hokkaido Wine |
| State | Hokkaido | Country | Japan |
Marzen メルツェン
It’s a beer rich in malt with a balance of clean, hop bitterness.
| Type | German Beer | ABV | 5% |
| Body | Soft | Yeast Fermentation | Bottom |
| Beer Style | Marzen/ Dark lager | Brewery | Hokkaido Wine |
| State | Hokkaido | Country | Japan |
Tenshino Sizuku Niagara 天使の雫ナイヤガラ
This popular and famous beer brews with Niagara grapes and is characterised by low bitterness, a fruitiness of Niagara grapes fruitiness, which is very drinkable.
| Type | Hokkaido Beer | ABV | 5% |
| Body | – | Yeast Fermentation | – |
| Beer Style | Low-malt beer (発泡酒) | Brewery | Hokkaido Wine |
| State | Hokkaido | Country | Japan |
Conclusion
Dunkel or Weiss from Otaru Beer are great. On the other hand, Helles from Otaru Winery Beer (おたるワイナリービール) is a refreshing beer with a substance which I like. If you like to drink organic beer, Pilsner from Otaru Bakusyu is a good choice.
Want to know more Japan craft beers and breweries in Hokkaido? Click here>>
