Brew Happiness! Craft Beer TOSACO

Kochi Prefecture CIR Minda Dettman

Hanami with TOSACO♪

Beer is the key to Hanami!
   A good drink is vital to a good hanami. With craft beer gaining popularity in many countries including the United States (and as I personally am fond of it), we decided to feature Kochi’s first craft brewery, Kochi Campagne Brewery, in today's edition. The founder, Mr. Setoguchi, kindly introduced us to the company, which is located in Tosayamada, Kami City. Why not bring Kochi Campagne Brewery’s TOSACO beer to your hanami this spring, and enjoy it’s subtle flavors created using Kochi products like yuzu and sansho pepper?

Mr. and Ms. Setoguchi

The birth of TOSACO
   Mr. Setoguchi, who originally worked making electronic sensors in the Kansai area, was always interested in jobs that involved making things. He started learning how to make beer, one of his favorite things in the world, at a brewery in Shimane. Fascinated by how invisible microorganisms, hard at work during fermentation, create the taste of the beer, and how that flavor can be influenced by various supplementary ingredients, he knew he had found his calling.
   In 2016, Mr. and Ms. Setoguchi moved to Kochi and started making TOSACO. While there were many difficulties with starting up a company in a new environment, the local community helped throughout the process. It is from this spirit that TOSACO, and it’s motto, “For a bountiful table. Sharing happiness within our community,” was born.

Cheers!

Pairings and at hanami
   Ms. Mitsui (from KIA) and I held a hanami with TOSACO! We found the TOSA IPA pairs the best with meat and other strong-flavored food. Mr. Setoguchi’s recommendation for hanami is to enjoy the WAJYO KÖLSCH with Japanese food and finish the meal with wagashi (Japanese sweets). The WAJYO KÖLSCH is made using Japanese sake yeast. We would recommend it to those who enjoy the delicate flavors in sake and wine. Another interesting beer is the YOSAKOI BANANA WEIZEN, made using bananas grown in Susaki. The sweet smell of the bananas combines well with the acidic aftertaste.
   If you dislike the bitterness of Japanese beer, I cannot recommend TOSACO enough. It also makes a good gift for friends who live in other prefectures. Let’s all enjoy hanami this season with a bottle of TOSACO!

Places you can buy TOSACO
・Value (Kami City)

・Kida Liquor Store(Kochi City)
・Tosanosato Agri Colletto(Kochi City)
・And more!