Monkey Mountain, an authentic craft beer brewery brewed in the U.S.A.
#A hidden treasure trove of craft beer! Let's have a toast at Oita Station Chika!
Streets magazine Editors
February 1, 2024
This article has been automatically translated from the Japanese version.
Monkey Mountain" in Fuchi-cho, Oita City, has evolved in its own unique way while taking over the authentic American craft beer culture. Mr. Darren, who is from the U.S., brews and sells his own craft beer.
Homebrewing began when he was in college in Oregon, the home of craft beer in the U.S.
Darren, the founder of Monkey Mountain, is from Oregon. Unlike in Japan, it is legal to brew your own craft beer in the U.S. He spent his college years in the U.S., where he majored in electronics engineering and was also passionate about brewing beer.
He married his wife from Shimane Prefecture and moved to Oita City. While he continued to work in engineering between Japan and the U.S., his passion for brewing beer never faded, and in 2019 he opened his own brewery, Monkey Mountain, in Fuchi-cho, Oita City.
Incidentally, the name of the restaurant is derived from the monkey on Mt. Takasaki, which he decided without much thought when formulating his business plan.
There is a small brewery in the back of the store facing Funai Aqua Park.
I want to get the best ingredients from wherever I can and make the best beer I can."
Darren's passion in brewing beer is the quality of the ingredients.
He sources his barley from England and Germany, and all of his hops from the U.S., as he believes that "I want to get the best ingredients from anywhere and make the best beer. He is especially confident that the hops from the U.S. "are the best compared to other regions," he says.
Darren makes his original beer with his special ingredients.
Kabosu Ginger Ale" for hot weather, "Scotch Ale" to enjoy the aroma
Monkey Mountain currently offers nine kinds of beer. Some are seasonal, but the refreshing Kabosu Ginger Ale is popular in the summer.
The "Scotch Ale" is Darren's latest creation, aged for a year in large oak bourbon barrels.
For craft beer novices, "Pale Ale" is recommended. We hope you will experience the world of Monkey Mountain with these standard American-style beers.
The lineup of unique beers will make you want this and that!
Although there are no taps offered at the store, it is nice to taste craft beer at the Funai Aqua Park right in front of the store.
Darren's goal is to "increase the number of places near here that serve my beer," and his beer is available for purchase on his e-commerce site and at roadside stations.