From Yamaga's Silk to a Pint of Ale: Kirari Brewery Launches New Craft Beers Using "Yamaga Silk"

Kirari Brewery (Process Design Inc./Yamaga City, Kumamoto) will sequentially launch four types of craft beer (low-malt beer) – Pale Ale, Weizen, Coffee Stout, and India Pale Ale – using "Yamaga Silk" produced in Yamaga as a secondary ingredient, starting May 25, 2026. Their unique brewing method, which adds silk powder early in the boiling process, ensures the original flavor of the craft beer is preserved while achieving a clear, impurity-free finish. This creation merges local ingredients with brewing expertise, offering a unique taste of Yamaga.

Product Overview

Product Name

Pale Ale, Weizen, Coffee Stout, India Pale Ale (4 types in total)

Type

Low-malt beer (Craft Beer)

Secondary Ingredient

Silk Powder (derived from Yamaga Silk)

Volume

330ml

Price

・Pale Ale: 650 yen (excluding tax)

・Weizen: 650 yen (excluding tax)

・Coffee Stout: 730 yen (excluding tax)

・India Pale Ale: 770 yen (excluding tax)

Release Date

Sequential sales start from May 25, 2026

Sales Channels

Direct sales store / Online / Retailers, etc.

Manufacturer

Kirari Brewery (Process Design Inc.)

Background of Development – Bringing Yamaga's Silk Culture to the Modern Table

Yamaga City in Kumamoto Prefecture has a long-standing sericulture culture, being a region that has produced high-quality silk for ages. In recent years, as initiatives to pass down this tradition to the next generation have progressed, Kirari Brewery has adopted "Yamaga Silk" as a secondary ingredient for its craft beer as a new challenge to connect local materials with brewing culture.

This product was developed as a craft beer with a story originating from Yamaga, aiming to bridge local industries and brewing culture.

Manufacturing Feature – Clear Finish Through Early Boiling Addition

Silk powder is a material primarily composed of protein. By adding it immediately after the boiling process begins, it naturally precipitates during the whirlpool process and does not remain as a cloudy component in the product. This characteristic achieves the following finish:

● A clean taste that does not compromise the original aroma and flavor of craft beer

● A transparent and beautiful finish

● A smooth mouthfeel free of impurities

This method, while meeting the manufacturing requirements for low-malt beer, minimizes the impact on quality and expands the possibilities for craft breweries as a new option for utilizing secondary ingredients.

Commitment to Ingredients – Safe, Naturally Derived Silk Powder

The silk powder used is a natural material derived from cocoons produced in Yamaga. It is a highly safe ingredient for food applications, such as providing quality amino acid supplementation. It does not chemically impart flavor or aroma; instead, it leverages the regionality and peace of mind inherent in the material itself within an everyday beverage like craft beer.

Future Prospects

Yamaga Silk is an important cultural resource symbolizing the region's history. Kirari Brewery will continue its commitment to creating products that utilize local ingredients as Yamaga-origin craft beer, and through craft beer, will promote the charm of Yamaga nationwide.

Company Profile

Company Name: Process Design Inc. (Kirari Brewery)

Location: Yamaga 1411-3, Yamaga City, Kumamoto Prefecture

Business Activities: Manufacturing and sales of craft beer (low-malt beer)

Web: https://kirali.jp/