The alcoholic beverage industry, including craft beer of course, has historically given the impression of being male-driven. However, there has been a steady trend of its members more actively welcoming women, as exemplified by initiatives such as the Pink Boots Society, a U.S.-based nonprofit organization established to support women working in the craft beer industry. The organization leads efforts to brew beer in conjunction with International Women’s Day on March 8, and the profits are reinvested into supporting women. In fact, opportunities for women in the industry have been expanding in recent years.
Nozomi Iwase, the owner of Chigasaki Beer in Chigasaki City, Kanagawa Prefecture, is one of these women making her mark in the industry. She oversees the production of craft beer with a strong focus on “local first” and sustainability.
Iwase originally worked in the logistics department of a famous department store in Tokyo, but moved to Chigasaki in 2013. Then in 2017, she opened a small-plates bar called Suya near Chigasaki Station. Chigasaki was once a resort town but more recently has become a popular destination for those looking to relocate from the big city. She was drawn to the area by the warmth of its local residents toward newcomers and the abundance of independently owned shops. Her decision to enter the craft beer industry was also driven by a desire to contribute to the local community she loved.
Iwase, sharing her thoughts on launching the business, says, “There are currently seven breweries in Chigasaki, and I believe the city has the potential to become known as a beer town. Chigasaki is already famous in the music scene for its ‘Shonan Sound,’ and while shirasu (whitebait) is considered a local specialty, it’s actually caught throughout the whole Shonan area. I wanted to create something more deeply rooted in the local community and thought beer could be the kind of business with a 100-year path. If you ask consumers what kind of beer they keep in their home fridge, it’s probably mostly major brands. But if that’s the case, tax revenue ends up going to Tokyo. That seems like such a waste. If even just one bottle of Chigasaki Beer were in that fridge instead, it could contribute to a local economic cycle here in Chigasaki.” With that vision in mind, and after nearly five years of planning, Chigasaki Beer officially opened on April 25, 2023.
Chigasaki Beer engages in a variety of initiatives aimed not only at promoting a sustainable local economy through consumer behavior, but also at creating a broader positive cycle that benefits the community. For example, the brewery has installed machinery to process spent grain from beer production into cattle feed. This feed is used by Saito Farm in the city, where they raise Chigasaki Beef, a rare local product. The beef is then made into additive-free hamburger steaks by Jiro (a specialty shop in Chigasaki known for its naturally aged meats and sausage products) and served at the brewery’s restaurant. As another example of a local collaboration, their signature beer Chigasaki Weizen includes komatsuna (Japanese mustard spinach) grown at Ohtake Farm, also located in the city. Even the branding reflects its local character. Drawing on Chigasaki’s status as a sister city to Honolulu, Hawaii, the brewery’s logo features a Hawaiian-inspired design. This was developed by a designer based in Chigasaki based on an idea from Iwase herself.
Chigasaki Beer offers a lineup of six regular craft beers, all with an alcohol content of 5.5% or lower, making them easy to drink. This approach suits the brewery’s seaside location, where many people enjoy surfing or running from early in the morning. At the brewery’s third-floor restaurant, Surf Rider, beer is served starting at 7 a.m.! One of the most popular offerings is the “Morning Gathering Course” (¥2,000), available to guests who arrive between 7:00 and 9:00 a.m. on weekdays. This includes five dishes, dessert, and all-you-can-drink access to the six regular beers and other alcoholic/non-alcoholic drinks. Reservations are required the day before. On weekends, from 7:00 to 10:30 a.m., a morning buffet (¥1,800; an additional ¥900 for all-you-can-drink) is offered, featuring items such as fresh seafood and pancakes. From 11:00 a.m. onward, a variety of other dining courses are available, allowing guests to fully enjoy local ingredients paired with Chigasaki Beer. The interior is reminiscent of a luxury cruise ship and there are panoramic views of the beach through large windows. The space offers a relaxing, almost dreamlike escape from the everyday.
Currently, they are working on increasing their production volume. They are also interested in attending beer events. Iwase hopes to give back through a uniquely female perspective and her deep love for the local community. Her aspiration is to make Chigasaki Beer a new local specialty of the region. By simply choosing to enjoy a glass of Chigasaki Beer, we too can take part in supporting that vision.
