Far Yeast Brewing Co. (Head office: Kosuge, Yamanashi Prefecture; Representative Director: Shiro Yamada), a craft beer brewery that brings beer brimming with originality from Japan to the world, has announced the fourth installment of the “Yamanashi Support Project” to liven up Yamanashi Prefecture with beer: “Far Yeast Omoiro Tomato Ale.” This Tomato Ale is brewed with “Omoiro” tomatoes from Hokuto City in Yamanashi Prefecture.
■The latest addition to the Yamanashi Support Project is Vegetable Ale made with tomatoes from Hokuto City.
In October 2020, we moved our headquarters from Shibuya, Tokyo, to Kosuge Village, Yamanashi Prefecture, where our head brewery is located. Since then, we have been working more closely with agricultural producers and other companies in Yamanashi Prefecture.
The “Yamanashi Support Project” was launched in July 2020, even before the relocation, to revitalize the local industry through brewing beer using locally produced products in Yamanashi.
The 1st Yamanashi Support Project was “PEACH HAZE” using peaches from Yamanashi City. The 2nd was “Ume-kin’ Me Crazy!” using plums produced in Kosuge Village, where Far Yeast is located. And the 3rd was “GRAPEVINE” using grapes from Nirasaki City. Using agricultural products grown in Yamanashi Prefecture as ingredients for beer, we have been sending the appeal of Yamanashi Prefecture to people.
The 4th beer, Far Yeast Omoiro Tomato Ale, is made from “Omoiro Tomatoes” produced by Lycoper Corporation, an agricultural production corporation located in Hokuto City, Yamanashi Prefecture. We used the Omoiro Tomato Juice, which was nearing its expiration date and could no longer be saleable, as an ingredient in the beer and has been given a new lease of life becoming the beer.
■Utilization of tomato juice inventory generated by the Corona disaster
”Omoiro Tomato” is Lycoper’s original brand name, named after the Japanese traditional color “OMOIIRO” and the desire to produce delicious tomatoes, which can be expressed as “OMOI” in Japanese.
The farm where the tomatoes are grown has some of the best sunshine hours in Japan and a temperature difference between day and night that is unique to the highlands, making it ideal for tomato cultivation, resulting in high-quality tomatoes a perfect balance of sweetness and acidity. As a result, it produces high-quality tomatoes with a perfect balance of sweetness and tartness.
Lycoper used these “Omoiro Tomatoes” to make a thick, additive-free tomato juice without using any water, salt, or sugar. The product had been well received, but due to the COVIT-19 last year, the number of sales dropped drastically, and Lycoper had a lot of juice in stock that would expire in June 2021.
During this time, we met Lycoper, which had connections as local Yamanashi companies in the prefecture, and proposed the project to them, which led to this collaboration. Then, Far Yeast Omoiro Tomato Ale, the first beer to use vegetables in the Yamanashi Support Project, was born. We used approximately 500 liters of Omoiro Tomato Juice for the brewing of Far Yeast Omoiro Tomato Ale.
The grassy flavor, sourness, and deliciousness of the tomatoes are emphasized with celery, Citra hops, kelp, and basil. At the same time, citrus-flavored coriander and many spices are added to create a deep-flavored vegetable cocktail.
■The first release will be in Yamanashi Prefecture!
Far Yeast Omoiro Tomato Ale was brewed for this year’s first-time Support Yamanashi Project.
To celebrate the release of this beer, we will hold events at two venues in Yamanashi Prefecture on Saturday 8th and Sunday, May 9. Two event venues are Four Hearts Cafe (Kofu City) and Craft Hop Stand (Yamanashi City).
Far Yeast Omoiro Tomato Ale will be on tap, and the second “Ume-kin’ Me Crazy!” and the third “GRAPEVINE” will be on tap at both restaurants at the same time. Everyone, please come to the event, try beers, then compare the past products of the Yamanashi Support Project.
Far Yeast Omoiro Tomato Ale will go on sale to the general public on Friday, May 21, and our online store will start pre-order sale from 1:00 p.m. on Tuesday, April 27.
We continue to work with producers and other companies in Yamanashi Prefecture to bring you various “Made in Yamanashi” beers.
【Product Overview】
Name:Far Yeast Omoiro Tomato Ale
Release date:Fri May 21st, 2021
Price:Open Price
Ingredients: Tomato (made in Hokuto Yamanashi), Malt, sugar, spices, kelp
ABV:5.0%
Style:Vegetable Ale with Spices
Product type:Happoshu (Malts content 25~50%)
Brewery:Far Yeast Brewing Genryu Brewery
Format:350ml CAN, 15L SUS keg
【Suggestion of an alternative better way of drinking】
We recommend drinking it “snow style,” with the rim of the glass decorated with salt, like a cocktail as well. You can enjoy the change in flavor by drinking it with salt.