Kurashiki Ivy Square, which was created by renovating the factory of KURABO INDUSTRIES LTD., is one of the popular tourist spots in Kurashiki City.
Various events are held in the courtyard square, and it seems that not only tourists but also locals often visit.
During Golden Week, an event called GOLDEN BEER FESTA was held at Kurashiki Ivy Square.
I, who had no desire to go far during the holidays, was drawn to the fact that I could drink eight local beers from inside and outside the prefecture, so I decided to go.
The GOLDEN BEER FESTA was held under sunshine that made you want to drink beer. I will introduce the situation of the day.
What is "GOLDEN BEER FESTA in Kurashiki Ivy Square"?
The "GOLDEN BEER FESTA in Kurashiki Ivy Square" was held over two days on May 4 (Saturday) and May 5 (Sunday), 2024.
Eight breweries from inside and outside the prefecture set up booths, allowing participants to compare a variety of unique local beers filled with the brewers' dedication.
The alcohol provided by the breweries was only beer, but there were brands that were sweet and easy to drink, almost unrecognizable as beer, making it a lineup that even those who are not fond of beer could try. It seemed fun to find a favorite brewery or brand.
Additionally, the food options were plentiful, with snacks like fries, skewers, and pizza that pair well with beer. There were also soft drinks available for sale at the venue, so families with children could be seen as well.
Since I rarely have the opportunity to drink local beers from outside the prefecture, I invited my beer-loving mother to join me at the event.
I participated in the event
The day I participated, May 4 (Saturday), was clear and perfect for an event. The temperature was just right for wanting to drink beer.
When I went to the courtyard square of Kurashiki Ivy Square, it was bustling with a pleasant crowd.
First, I purchased beer tickets at the reception tent.
There were two types of tickets: one for 500 yen per cup and another for 4,000 yen for 10 cups, and the 4,000 yen ticket was said to be more economical.
While discussing with my mother in front of the reception tent, "Is 10 cups too much?" a staff member kindly informed us, "It's fine to share a 10-cup ticket between the two of you," so we decided to purchase the 4,000 yen ticket.
Being able to share the tickets made it easier to adjust how much we drank, which was appreciated.
Moreover, the tickets could be used on both days of the event, so any remaining tickets could be used on the second day.
After purchasing, I was given 10 stickers and a plastic cup.
These stickers served as beer exchange tickets, and the system was to hand over the cup and one sticker to the vendor to get the beer poured.
Comparing unique local beers
I immediately started looking for my first beer and walked around the venue.
I have had beers from breweries in Okayama Prefecture several times, but most of the breweries from outside the prefecture were new to me. Each brewery had 4 to 6 types of local beers available, making it hard to decide which one to drink.
As I was walking, someone called out to me, "Excuse me, have you ever had beer from Tokushima?" and I stopped in my tracks. The person who spoke to me was a staff member from Tokushima Beer Marche.
I was told they brought carefully selected local beers from Tokushima Prefecture for this event, and I ordered the recommended "Aratae Ale".
The memorable first cup, "Aratae Ale," is a live beer with active yeast, characterized by its rich flavor and umami. It was a rare beer produced in small quantities, and I ended up drinking it quickly because it was so delicious.
The plastic cup also adds a special touch to drinking outdoors.
I intended to sit and drink leisurely, but I ended up walking around while drinking in search of the next beer.
Next, I was intrigued by the unique names of the beers from Tokumanjiri Hinomoto Beer, which is from Kotoura Town in Tottori Prefecture.
I was recommended a milk beer made with skim milk, but since it was hot, I ordered the refreshing "Betrayal".
The cups are exchanged, so after finishing my drink, I hand over the cup to the vendor to get a refill.
The "Betrayal" is a beer made with plenty of blueberries, and despite its name, it has a cute appearance with a deep pink color. Taking a sip, I found that the beer flavor was pleasantly subtle, making it very easy to drink, with a taste reminiscent of a sweet berry sour.
With an alcohol content of only 3%, I thought it would be easy for those who are not fond of beer to try.
The cup holds 200ml, which is a bit small, so I initially thought, "I want a little more," but for comparing various types, this size might be just right.
Since the first two cups were from breweries outside the prefecture, I decided to drink local beer next.
I stopped by Kibidote Shitabakushu, a brewery located in Okayama City, which aims to make beer that people can enjoy casually, like a neighborhood tofu shop.
There were colorful beers on display, but the one that caught my eye the most was a light blue beer called "Seto no Yuuutsu".
When I ordered it, the plastic cup came back with a sticker from the brewery, showing the vendor's playful spirit.
This light blue beer, which is rarely seen, is colored with a natural dye made from the plant called gardenia, inspired by the color of the Seto Inland Sea.
Despite its unusual color, it had a smooth taste without any peculiarities, refreshing like a fruity cider. It is a beer you would want to drink in the hot summer.
With rare, sweet, and blue beers, all of them had unique appearances and flavors. As I carefully considered what to drink next with my remaining two tickets, I decided to enjoy the beer paired with snacks.
Snacks that go well with alcohol
Inside the venue, there were several food stalls offering items that seemed to pair well with alcohol, such as oven-baked pizza and skewers.
Among them, the one that stimulated my appetite the most was a hamburger shop called Gratefuls, which was emitting the sound and aroma of grilling meat. Gratefuls has locations in Shizuoka, Osaka, and Okinawa, and this time, they set up shop at their only location in the Chugoku region, Okayama Donya-cho.
The signature menu item, the hamburger, is hard to resist, but I ordered the fish and chips that seem easy to share and freshly baked herb sausage.
After placing the hot snacks on the table, I went to choose a beer.
While searching for a beer that would go well with fried foods and meat dishes, I spotted a refreshing beer called Yuzu Weizen.
It was provided by a small brewery located in Higashiyoshino Village, Nara Prefecture, Good Wolf Brewery. Higashiyoshino Village is known as the last place in Japan where the Japanese wolf was found, and the name Good Wolf is said to be derived from that.
The person who makes it is actually from Kurashiki, and he said with a smile, "I came here because I wanted to deliver delicious beer to my hometown!" Hearing those words made it impossible not to buy it.
The purchased "Yuzu Weizen" uses freshly squeezed juice from yuzu grown in Higashiyoshino Village, and when I brought it close to my nose, I could smell the refreshing citrus aroma. Unable to resist, I took a sip right there, and it was incredibly delicious with a refreshing and crisp taste.
I returned to my seat and raised a toast for what felt like the umpteenth time. I enjoyed the snacks I had just procured along with the local beer.
Both the herb sausage and the fish and chips were substantial and satisfying. Eating hot dishes outdoors made them taste even better. They paired perfectly with the refreshing Yuzu Weizen.
Since it was a good opportunity, I decided to try another snack.
I was drawn to the phrase "using vegetables from Okayama" and ordered Hawaiian-style Hawaiian Nachos. It seems they use aromatic vegetables like green onions from Okayama Prefecture. I usually don't eat Hawaiian cuisine, so this snack unique to the event lifted my spirits.
Hawaiian Nachos are a snack topped with avocado dip, salsa sauce, and vegetables like tuna, green onions, and tomatoes on tortilla chips. The colorful appearance also gives a sense of Hawaii.
At events, there are often few opportunities to eat vegetables, but these Hawaiian Nachos were loaded with vegetables and could be enjoyed like a salad. The flavor was just right, making it easy to enjoy with beer.
Feeling satisfied with the snacks and beer, I used my last ticket to order a final drink.
The last beer I ordered was Milestone Brewing Higashi-Kakogawa Brewery's DARK IPA, made in Kakogawa City, Hyogo Prefecture.
Personally, I had a bitter image of dark beers, but the DARK IPA was not too bitter and had a roasted coffee-like aroma and flavor. It was the first time I found a dark beer easy to drink, and I was satisfied to have tried a type of beer I usually wouldn't order.
I also got an original sticker along with the beer, making for a great memory of the event.
Conclusion
The GOLDEN BEER FESTA was an event that beer lovers couldn't miss, featuring local craft beers made with locally sourced ingredients.
You could feel the passion from each brewery wanting to share the charm of their local area through craft beer, and it was enjoyable to listen to the staff's explanations. I felt like I learned not only about the deliciousness of craft beer but also about the goodness of the land.
Opportunities to drink craft beer from outside the prefecture are quite rare, so I was glad to encounter various craft beers at this event. Many beers broke the preconceived notions I had about color and taste in a good way, and I want to continue to pay attention to craft beer in the future.
In the courtyard of Kurashiki Ivy Square, various events are held according to the season, so if you're interested, be sure to check it out.
GOLDEN BEER FESTA Data
| Name | GOLDEN BEER FESTA |
|---|---|
| Date | May 4 (Saturday) and 5 (Sunday), 2024 From 11:00 AM to 8:30 PM |
| Location | Kurashiki Ivy Square Courtyard |
| Participation Fee (including tax) | Free admission Beer tickets 1 cup/500 yen, 10 cups/4,000 yen |
