Founded in 1487, Hiraizumi Honpo is the third oldest brewery in Japan, and the oldest in the Tohoku region. Located at the foothills of Mount Chokai and right next to the Sea of Japan, they face some pretty harsh winters. The current brewery, built in 1885 with earthen walls, provides a stable environment for the yamahai method they focus on; an orthodox method that requires much more skill and yields a rich and complex flavor. Currently in their 26th generation, their brewmaster has been working there since 1985, and the president’s son works as the production leader as well.