On May 7, the brewery "Be Easy Brewing" ( Matsugae , Hirosaki City, TEL 0172-78-1222) began selling the apple cider "Tamura Farm Hoppy Cider" using locally grown apples.

Gareth Burns, a former US Air Force soldier living in Aomori, is the president of the company, nicknamed "Gareth's Beer." The lineup of craft beer products has counted 250 types since its establishment. Until now, it had been shipped to restaurants in 45 prefectures nationwide, but due to the influence of the new coronavirus, it launched a sales site last year and started retailing bottled beer.

The brewing of apple liquor was carried out in December last year as part of the 4th anniversary event. He said that he came up with the idea of making apples because he didn't have malt, which is the raw material for beer. "Cider is currently popular in Hirosaki. I thought about making a cider myself," Gareth said.

"Hoppy Cider" is classified as sparkling liquor using apples. It is said that the apple juice from Tamura Farm (Aokicho) was crossed with British ale yeast, which is said to be easy to match with citrus fruits, and hops from the Southern Hemisphere.

For the first brew, we used apple juice from Moriyama Orchards (Midorigaoka, Hirosaki City). Gareth says, "From the experience of making 250 kinds of craft beer, I can imagine the taste of sake made by combining hops and yeast. I imagine the taste from apple juice and aim for brewing that approaches it."

"I'm more confident than the first time," says Gareth. "The amount that can be brewed at one time is 3000 bottles. It will end as soon as it runs out, but if there is apple juice, I would like to continue." "The corona wreck is likely to continue, but I would like to continue taking on new challenges such as selling cans and brewing in Aomori," he said.

The price is 830 yen with 340 ml. It will be sold at Kato Liquor Store (Nishishigemori) and Cub Center in Aomori Prefecture.