Echiga Beer opened the first brew pub in Japan in 1994. Japan's first craft beer brewery. The establishment of Echigo Beer was therefore also the birth of Japanese craft beer.  Though this beer is categorized as being dry, the brewery uses the time-consuming German decoction method to accentuate the underlying natural sweet flavors from the Koshihikari rice - Japan’s most prized variety, to appeal to non-dry beer drinkers. The beer has a crisp and refreshing flavor, and exceptionally soothing and smooth quality. The sweet aroma of rice, and eloquent fragrance of hops, make it the perfect complement to any Japanese dish, especially sushi.