Responding to the Demand for Small-Scale Production with Beer Brewing Equipment in Stainless Containers

Lina Co., Ltd.

Interviewee:

Masahiro Ogawa, CEO

“We want many people to enjoy craft beer,” so we make a wide variety of beers!

– First of all, please tell us about your beer brewing business.

Mr. Ogawa:

“With the desire for more people to enjoy craft beer,” we are actively engaged in the
development of
various varieties, with brewers at the core. We produce a wide range of beers, from “aromatic and easy-to-drink
beers with reduced bitterness” to “IPAs that offer a distinct hop bitterness.” This allows us to offer our craft
beers to both those who don’t usually drink beer and beer enthusiasts.

We have several production bases, but at the “VECTOR BEER FACTORY” in Shinjuku, where we perform 100L-scale
brewing,
we use tanks from Nitto Kinzoku Kogyo. We also have a large-scale brewery in Asakusabashi, where we can produce
batches of around 1000L.

– What was the trigger for starting to brew craft beer in-house?

Aside from already having a love for beer, the main trigger was when we opened neighboring stores in Shinjuku
about
seven years ago. We thought that if we were opening stores close to each other, it would be better to
differentiate
ourselves rather than create similar establishments. So, we decided to brew beer in our new store. People
appreciated the concept of a “place where beer enthusiasts gather” and being able to drink freshly brewed beer
on-site, and the production capacity of the in-store equipment became insufficient. That’s why we established a
brewery in Asakusabashi in 2017.

– In addition to brewing in-house, you also provide support for obtaining brewing licenses.

When we first started brewing on our own, obtaining a brewing license was quite challenging. It took about a
year. We
thought, “There will be many others who will struggle with this,” so we started our consulting business a few
years
ago. We provide support by sharing various know-how, including not only how to brew beer but also the knowledge
required to obtain a license and how to communicate with the tax office. We assist in obtaining the license
within
approximately 6 to 8 months, and this support has been well-received.

We are using them for craft beer brewing at our stores.

– In the process of beer brewing, how are our containers used?

As mentioned earlier, we use them as equipment for in-store brewing at “VECTOR BEER FACTORY” in Shinjuku.
Specifically, they are used for hot liquor tanks, which heat water, and tanks for mashing and boiling barley.
With
these facilities, we can brew approximately 100L of beer at a time.

We wanted equipment that could handle small-scale production.

The opportunity to learn about Nitto Kinzoku Kogyo came through a referral from a restaurant we met during beer
brewing consulting. At that time, we were using foreign-made tanks of around 300L, but we were receiving more
inquiries about producing original beers in quantities of around 100L. Since the production
volume
did not match, we were considering replacing the tanks.

We also considered purchasing packaged brewing tank sets from the United States, but we were looking for other
methods that could handle small-scale production and keep costs down.

It was great to have someone to consult with about creating custom containers.

– It has been about a year since you first adopted our products. How has the experience been?

First and foremost, being able to produce in quantities of around 100L has allowed us to meet the new demand for
small-scale production as intended. In addition to restaurants, our beers are being enjoyed by the general
public
for events and as original beers for weddings.

Furthermore, it was great to have someone to consult with about creating custom containers, taking into
account the size of the production site, production volume, and equipment costs from the proposal
stage.

For example, the hot liquor and boiling tanks were shaped so that they could be directly heated with a gas stove.
This allows us to keep costs down compared to using temperature control equipment. We also requested
customization,
such as adding a simple shower-like attachment to the lid of the container for the sparging process, which is a
key
point in brewing. We also had a mesh-like plate installed in the container to filter the barley. The ability to
customize the containers according to our specific needs was the most important factor in
choosing
Nitto Kinzoku Kogyo, and we have seen the benefits of this in practice.

As a beer consulting business, we often discuss equipment with our clients, and it’s very helpful to be able to
customize the equipment to fit their budgets and needs.

See the product
that
served as the basis for customization

– I heard that beer consulting services are currently very popular.

With the support of subsidy programs, it has become very popular among people who want to start new businesses.
The
scale of the business varies, with some people being able to expand on a large scale right away, while others
start
small as individuals.

If you have a large budget, packaged beer-specific equipment may be a good option. However, for individuals who
want
to start small, I would recommend using cylindrical containers like those from Nitto Kinzoku Kogyo and producing
beer using a gas stove.

They recommended some original craft beers!

At Lina, they have a brewing team called “Vector Brewing” and actively develop beers as a manufacturer. I asked
Mr.
Ogawa, whom I interviewed this time, for his recommended craft beer.

These products can be purchased through their official online
store
or at their brewing facility in Asakusabashi.

Nekopanchi

Shironekopanchi

A wheat beer with a fruity aroma and a subtle bitterness, enhanced with the
distinctive aroma of Citra hops. It is a refreshing and easy-to-drink white beer.

Melon Shake

A unique shake beer with a melon-like aroma produced by sake yeast. Recommended even
for those who don’t like beer!

Products that served as the basis for customization