Wherever you are and whatever kind of beer you're drinking — a craft IPA, a mug of mass-produced Japanese lager or even a can of happoshu (a low-malt, beer-like alcoholic beverage), the beer you're holding is a marvel of science and craftsmanship. In Japan, the art of brewing is restricted to licensed professionals, and while many of the larger breweries like Kirin and Sapporo offer tours of their massive production houses, there have been relatively few chances for the average beer drinker to learn about brewing, let alone get personally involved in the process.
For those interested in a hands-on experience, a small number of breweries have begun offering customers the chance to brew their own beer. One of those, Tokyo Aleworks in Tokyo's Itabashi neighborhood, has been holding periodic one-day brewing classes since spring of 2018. Under the watchful eye of Bob Stockwell, Tokyo Aleworks' head brewer, I spend a Saturday learning about the brewing process and trying my hand at making beer.
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