Aomori's Tsugaru Brewing to Hold Debut Beer Unveiling Event on May 24
Tsugaru Brewing, a craft beer company from Tsugaru, Aomori, will host a public unveiling event for its first brewed beer on May 24. The company, which raised over 8.3 million yen through crowdfunding in 2025, aims to produce community-focused beer.
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- 📰 Published: May 6, 2026 at 18:30
- 🔍 Collected: May 6, 2026 at 10:01
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: May 6, 2026 at 10:03 (1 min after Collected)
Special Website Launched
Tsugaru Brewing LLC (Tsugaru City, Aomori Prefecture / Representative Employee: Chris Heinge) will host a public unveiling event for its first brewed beer at its own brewery in Inagaki-cho, Tsugaru City, Aomori Prefecture, starting at 3:00 PM on Sunday, May 24, 2026. The company received its sparkling alcoholic beverage manufacturing license in 2026 and completed its first brewing on April 16. With preparations advanced thanks to over 8.3 million yen in support from 328 individuals through a crowdfunding campaign in 2025, Tsugaru Brewing's first local beer is scheduled for completion in late May 2026 and shipment to begin in June. On the day of the event, the newly released craft beer will be unveiled to the local community prior to its commercial shipment.
Distinguished guests expected to attend include the Mayor of Tsugaru City, the Chairman of the Tsugaru City Council, and the branch manager of Aomori Michinoku Bank Tsugaru branch.
■ May 24 (Sun) Public Unveiling Event
Click here for the special event website
Pre-order tickets here
https://tsugarubrewing.com/pages/event-20260524
Tsugaru Brewing LLC was established in July 2025 in Tsugaru City, Aomori Prefecture.
The founders are Chris Heinge (hereinafter, Chris), who has over 15 years of experience in the craft beer industry and was a founding member of Kyoto Brewing in his previous role, and Ryota Shiokoshi (hereinafter, Ryota), originally from Hiranai-cho, Aomori Prefecture, whose family business is scallop farming and processing.
Chris had once left the craft beer industry. While on a journey of self-discovery, he began to wish, "I want to brew my favorite beer again in my favorite place." It was a mutual acquaintance who brought the two together. After several discussions over drinks, they hit it off and decided to co-found the company.
■ 30% Local Grains, 100 Aomori Prefecture Business Partners — 5-Year Plan and Circular Economy Concept
The most significant feature of Tsugaru Brewing's beer production is its policy of actively using local grains from Aomori Prefecture, such as rice, wheat, soba, and assorted grains.
While many craft beers primarily use imported ingredients, the company has positioned collaboration with local farmers as its business domain, aiming to create a system where raw material procurement circulates within the region.
As a specific numerical target, the company plans to increase the annual usage ratio of local grains in overall raw materials to 30% and expand its business partners within Aomori Prefecture to 100 by the fiscal year ending February 2030.
Scenes from the first brewing on April 16
Furthermore, the company's business domain, in addition to alcoholic beverage manufacturing and sales and taproom operation, also includes future plans for agricultural product production and contract cultivation for raw materials, and the operation of tourism exchange bases including tourist experiences and accommodation. The vision is to foster a hub not just for "beer" as a single product, but for people to visit and experience the land of Aomori and Tsugaru itself.
By using local grains, energy consumption associated with transportation is also consequently reduced. This initiative is positioned as an extension of the basic stance of "doing what we can as those sustained by nature."
【To Businesses | Information on Handling】
Orders will begin on May 29, with the first shipment scheduled for June 4. (Thereafter, order deadlines are every Tuesday, with shipments two days later on Thursday.) In conjunction with this, pre-registration for handling by businesses such as restaurants, liquor stores, retailers, and accommodation facilities has begun. Prior business registration is required to place orders, so please apply using the form below. Please note that online sales for individual customers are not currently supported, but will be gradually rolled out in the future.
▼ Business Registration Form
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSexWjD3vVdcFyEFIQP08nlncDPRgPq2KaByeio6ZA4iwHgT1w/viewform?usp=dialog
■ Crowdfunding: 328 Supporters, 8.32 Million Yen
Prior to the establishment of the brewery, the company conducted a crowdfunding campaign in 2025.
It secured 8.32 million yen in support from 328 supporters nationwide.
https://camp-fire.jp/projects/886340/view
Returns such as T-shirts, keychains, logo stickers, and postcards have all been shipped, and design adjustments related to some naming rights are currently in the final stages.
Then, in 2026, the installation of brewing equipment was completed, and a liquor manufacturing license was issued.
With licenses, equipment, and raw material procurement ready, Tsugaru Brewing has finally reached the starting line of beer brewing.
■ Comment
Representative: Chris
"20 years ago, I worked in this region as an international exchange coordinator. I never forgot the nature and warmth of the people of Tsugaru since then. I am truly delighted to have returned to brew beer this time.
Our goal is a community-first, circular local beer. Using the grains of this land, which no one else is doing, for this land's.
Tsugaru Brewing LLC (Tsugaru City, Aomori Prefecture / Representative Employee: Chris Heinge) will host a public unveiling event for its first brewed beer at its own brewery in Inagaki-cho, Tsugaru City, Aomori Prefecture, starting at 3:00 PM on Sunday, May 24, 2026. The company received its sparkling alcoholic beverage manufacturing license in 2026 and completed its first brewing on April 16. With preparations advanced thanks to over 8.3 million yen in support from 328 individuals through a crowdfunding campaign in 2025, Tsugaru Brewing's first local beer is scheduled for completion in late May 2026 and shipment to begin in June. On the day of the event, the newly released craft beer will be unveiled to the local community prior to its commercial shipment.
Distinguished guests expected to attend include the Mayor of Tsugaru City, the Chairman of the Tsugaru City Council, and the branch manager of Aomori Michinoku Bank Tsugaru branch.
■ May 24 (Sun) Public Unveiling Event
Click here for the special event website
Pre-order tickets here
https://tsugarubrewing.com/pages/event-20260524
Tsugaru Brewing LLC was established in July 2025 in Tsugaru City, Aomori Prefecture.
The founders are Chris Heinge (hereinafter, Chris), who has over 15 years of experience in the craft beer industry and was a founding member of Kyoto Brewing in his previous role, and Ryota Shiokoshi (hereinafter, Ryota), originally from Hiranai-cho, Aomori Prefecture, whose family business is scallop farming and processing.
Chris had once left the craft beer industry. While on a journey of self-discovery, he began to wish, "I want to brew my favorite beer again in my favorite place." It was a mutual acquaintance who brought the two together. After several discussions over drinks, they hit it off and decided to co-found the company.
■ 30% Local Grains, 100 Aomori Prefecture Business Partners — 5-Year Plan and Circular Economy Concept
The most significant feature of Tsugaru Brewing's beer production is its policy of actively using local grains from Aomori Prefecture, such as rice, wheat, soba, and assorted grains.
While many craft beers primarily use imported ingredients, the company has positioned collaboration with local farmers as its business domain, aiming to create a system where raw material procurement circulates within the region.
As a specific numerical target, the company plans to increase the annual usage ratio of local grains in overall raw materials to 30% and expand its business partners within Aomori Prefecture to 100 by the fiscal year ending February 2030.
Scenes from the first brewing on April 16
Furthermore, the company's business domain, in addition to alcoholic beverage manufacturing and sales and taproom operation, also includes future plans for agricultural product production and contract cultivation for raw materials, and the operation of tourism exchange bases including tourist experiences and accommodation. The vision is to foster a hub not just for "beer" as a single product, but for people to visit and experience the land of Aomori and Tsugaru itself.
By using local grains, energy consumption associated with transportation is also consequently reduced. This initiative is positioned as an extension of the basic stance of "doing what we can as those sustained by nature."
【To Businesses | Information on Handling】
Orders will begin on May 29, with the first shipment scheduled for June 4. (Thereafter, order deadlines are every Tuesday, with shipments two days later on Thursday.) In conjunction with this, pre-registration for handling by businesses such as restaurants, liquor stores, retailers, and accommodation facilities has begun. Prior business registration is required to place orders, so please apply using the form below. Please note that online sales for individual customers are not currently supported, but will be gradually rolled out in the future.
▼ Business Registration Form
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSexWjD3vVdcFyEFIQP08nlncDPRgPq2KaByeio6ZA4iwHgT1w/viewform?usp=dialog
■ Crowdfunding: 328 Supporters, 8.32 Million Yen
Prior to the establishment of the brewery, the company conducted a crowdfunding campaign in 2025.
It secured 8.32 million yen in support from 328 supporters nationwide.
https://camp-fire.jp/projects/886340/view
Returns such as T-shirts, keychains, logo stickers, and postcards have all been shipped, and design adjustments related to some naming rights are currently in the final stages.
Then, in 2026, the installation of brewing equipment was completed, and a liquor manufacturing license was issued.
With licenses, equipment, and raw material procurement ready, Tsugaru Brewing has finally reached the starting line of beer brewing.
■ Comment
Representative: Chris
"20 years ago, I worked in this region as an international exchange coordinator. I never forgot the nature and warmth of the people of Tsugaru since then. I am truly delighted to have returned to brew beer this time.
Our goal is a community-first, circular local beer. Using the grains of this land, which no one else is doing, for this land's.