Summer is here, and so is the perfect time for beer! Today, I’ll introduce a craft beer that will make your daily drinks feel even more special.
This time, we're featuring the white beer from "Yuki no Chikara." It's a white ale made with the high-quality soft water of the Ohu Mountain Range in Iwate Prefecture, offering a smooth and gentle taste.
Helios Distillery Sawauchi Brewery – Yuki no Chikara White Beer
The Helios Distillery Sawauchi Brewery is located in Nishiwaga Town, Iwate Prefecture, near the border of Akita Prefecture. This town is roughly in the middle of the Tohoku region on the map, known for its heavy snowfall—snow depths of 2 meters in winter are typical, with some areas seeing as much as 10 meters of snow, making it one of the heaviest snow regions in Japan.
Although the brewery is situated in snow-covered Nishiwaga, Helios Distillery itself is based in Okinawa, a place far from any snow. The brewery in Iwate was originally a local beer factory that closed in 2020, but Helios Distillery took over the site. It’s a romantic tale of a brewery from Japan’s hottest region setting up shop in one of the country’s snowiest towns.
The beer I’m featuring today is the Yuki no Chikara White Beer, brewed at the Sawauchi Brewery, made using the soft water of the Ohu Mountain Range.
Soft Water for a Smooth, Easy-Drinking Experience
The beer style of Yuki no Chikara is a white ale, with an alcohol content of 5%.
It’s often said that Japan’s water is generally soft, with water hardness being categorized as soft when it’s below 120mg/L, and hard when above that. The water used for this beer has a hardness of just 9mg/L—soft beyond soft, it's ultra-soft water.
Initially, I thought, “Can you really tell the difference in water?” But after just one sip, I had to eat my words. The beer is incredibly smooth and soft on the palate. It retains the creamy texture typical of white beers, but there's no sharpness—everything flows smoothly down your throat. This is thanks to the Saaz hops, known for their mild bitterness, resulting in a very approachable beer.
That said, it’s not bland or lacking in flavor. There’s also a pleasant tanginess that adds depth, and the unfiltered nature of the beer brings a satisfying richness.
Transforming the Power of Snow into Beer!
Living in one of Japan's most snow-covered regions must come with challenges beyond our imagination. For those of us who live in areas without snow, it may seem romantic, but the reality is much more demanding.
But rather than just endure it, the people of this region have embraced it, proudly declaring, “Transform snow into power!” This tagline reflects a strong sense of community and love for their region.
The packaging’s peaceful snowy landscape is beautiful as well. Imagining the Iwate scenery while drinking this beer might even make the hot summer feel a bit cooler.
