[Press Release] "KAGUA" Rouge Wins Hong Kong International Beer Awards 2013
KAGUA Rouge, a fragrant Japanese ale planned and sold by Nippon Craft Beer Co., Ltd. (Head office: Minato-ku, Tokyo; CEO: Shiro Yamada), has been selected as the Grand Prize Winner in the "Belgian Style Strong Beer - Dark" category at the Hong Kong International Beer Awards 2013. 
The awards are a beer competition held since 2009 for beers sold in Hong Kong, a rapidly growing international city. After rigorous blind tasting by a panel of judges made up of beer experts and enthusiasts, the awards select the Grand Prize winners in each category based on style, country and alcohol content, as well as special awards and the overall Grand Prize winner across all categories. This year, the fifth year of the awards, saw over 300 beers nominated from around the world.
"KAGUA," which began selling in Hong Kong in September 2012, was highly praised for the impressive length of the finish provided by the Rouge Japanese pepper and the unique new flavor it creates, leading to its award in the "Belgian Style Strong Beer - Dark" category.
We will continue to promote the further expansion of "KAGUA" in Japan and overseas so that more people can enjoy it.
*In response to this award, we will be selling commemorative merchandise on our website and store page .
http://www.nipponcraftbeer.com/store
About KAGUA, the Japanese-flavored ale
This flagship brand of Nippon Craft Beer Co., Ltd. was launched in March 2012 with the idea of "making beer that complements Japanese cuisine enjoyable for people all over the world." The original recipe (mixture) was designed based on the concept of "a fragrant aroma that complements Japanese cuisine," and is brewed at a partner brewery in Belgium using yuzu and sansho pepper, two herbs that are symbols of Japan.
There are two varieties in the lineup: "Blanc," a light-colored, top-fermented beer made with wheat, and "Rouge," a dark-colored, top-fermented beer made with roasted malt.A major feature of these beers is that they can be enjoyed with different dishes, just like white and red wines.
Our products are sold in famous and popular restaurants that have been awarded stars in the Michelin Guide, as well as luxury hotels and restaurants in Hong Kong and Singapore.
*KAGUA is classified as a happoshu (low-malt beer) under Japan's liquor tax law.
*Japan's liquor tax law limits the ingredients that can be used in beer, and KAGUA, which uses yuzu and sansho pepper, cannot be labeled as beer.
(Although it is a happoshu, the malt ratio and manufacturing method are the same as beer, and the tax rate is the same as beer, so it is different in purpose from so-called "tax-saving happoshu." Also, according to the standards of many countries, including Belgium, where it is produced, "Kagua" is classified as beer, so it is sold as beer in overseas markets.)
About Japan Craft Beer Co., Ltd.
Founded in 2011 with the mission of "Deliver the best beer throughout the world, to as many people as possible" - delivering beer that complements the Japanese dining table to the world. Currently, under the flagship brand "KAGUA," we are working to promote Japanese beer brands around the world with two lineups, Blanc and Rouge.
[Website] http://www.nipponcraftbeer.com/
[facebook] http://www.facebook.com/kagua.beer/
[twitter] http://twitter.com/kaguabeer/
<Contact Information>
Nippon Craft Beer Co., Ltd.
Person in charge: Hattan Masayo
Email: kagua@nipponcraftbeer.com
TEL: 070-5540-2799