Free Beer! Asahi Brewery Tour | Moriya Ibaraki
It is often said that there is no such thing as a free lunch but, we have been lucky enough to discover an endless and renewable source of free beer. Well, at least 3 free beers. But that is plenty for this camper!
Asahi Breweries is one of the major brewers of beer in Japan, and they have breweries scattered throughout these islands. We visited the brewery in Moriya in the south of Ibaraki Prefecture, on the border with Chiba Prefecture a couple of Sundays ago. Being a Sunday the brewery was not operating, but there were a large number of people taking part in the tour.
Interestingly there was a support group for mentally handicapped families (is that the correct term? I have been away from New Zealand for a long time and have lost track of what the current politically correct phraseology is) with about 30 members taking part. Initially we were a little concerned that they were going to take part in the beer tasting, but as it turned out, only the parents were to take a tipple as a well earned respite from their arduous looking responsibilities. I had a chat with one of the parents and she explained that their children had all attended the same school in Tokyo, and that they went out most weekends on various activities with their kids. Their children ranged from 13 to a couple in their 40’s so I think they certainly deserved some of the frothy golden goodness.
The tour lasted about half an hour, with a video being shown first off in the factory’s auditorium, followed by a guided walk through the complex and finishing up 60 meters in the air at a beer garden in the sky with amazing views of the surrounding countryside. I sampled some great Asahi Super Dry, as well as some Lowenbrau which they were showcasing - not really my cup of tea. I was tempted to ask for Speights, but having only had a couple managed to keep such patriotic instincts under check. And besides it was a long way down if they were to throw us out.
The factory has a nice collection of paintings scattered around its confines.
You can visit the factory year round - except for around new years and on some holidays set by Asahi. You do need to book - which you can do by calling 0297-45-7335 or by fax (does anyone still use fax?) on 0297-45-7761. I am assuming they can handle enquiries in English.
There is parking, and all the orange juice your poor hapless driver can drink on site, but the best option for getting there is a combination of rail and company bus. From Tokyo take the Tsukuba Express to Moriya Station (about 40 minutes), from the central exit of the station there are free buses to the factory leaving twice hourly from 9:10 am through to 14:40 (every hour at 10 mins and 40 mins). They also have buses from the east exit of JR Moriya. There is information available in Japanese.
E-Ibaraki Report has a short report on a visit here: Asahi Beer Brewery and tour
Being free and all, a trip to the Asahi Brewery in Ibaraki is highly recommended. Just remember not to drink and drive!
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