Japan’s Far Yeast Brewing Company are celebrating the launch of their first directly managed overseas restaurant that opened recently in Taipei, Taiwan.
The Far Yeast Taiwan Craftbeer Gastropub, which opened in mid October, has 15 taps and offers Far Yeast’s core range of beers, limited seasonal releases beers as well as guest beers from Japanese craft breweries such as Isekadoya Brewery and Minoh beer.
A taste of Japan in Taiwan
In addition to the impressive tap list customers can also enjoy a variety of Japanese Fusion foods inspired by izakaya style dining. The food menu, designed around Japanese culinary elements that pair well with the beers on tap, means that customers can enjoy the authentic Far Yeast experience such as “Eel Croquette” and “Tantan Potato Salad,” (popular dishes at Far Yeast Tokyo Brewery & Grill in Gotanda) without leaving Taiwan.
Located in the popular Da’an District of Taipei, the gastropub’s surrounding neighbourhood attracts many local and foreign residents as well as a healthy crowd of business folk.
Says company Director Shiro Yamada “We expect the gastropub to quickly become a favorite spot among international and domestic clientele alike. At a time when it is difficult for people to travel overseas, our mission is to continue to promote the variety of Japanese craft beers and the richness of Japanese food culture through Far Yeast Taiwan Craftbeer Gastropub.”
Customers can enjoy all Far Yeast’s core beers as well as menu favourites from their Tokyo taprooms
A growing presence overseas
When looking for their first overseas location the Far Yeast team noted that in 2019 Taiwanese ranked third for the number of foreign visitors to Japan, demonstrating that Japanese food and culture are attractive to Taiwanese travellers.
They also noted that Taipei has seen a recent increase in the number of stylish craft beer pubs and beer-centric restaurants opening around the city.
The outlet in Taipei is Far Yeast Brewing’s fourth directly managed store, following their Japanese taprooms in locations in Tokyo, Shizuoka, and Fukuoka and comes hot on the heels of their announcement to begin distribution in Indonesia.
Far Yeast now export their brews to 25 countries.
Customers can take in the raw interior while enjoying a tower of beer samples
A local collaboration
To celebrate the opening of the Taiwan location, Far Yeast have collaborated with one of the newest Taiwanese craft breweries, UGLY HALF BEER 酉鬼啤酒, to brew Far Yeast Lychee Haze using Taiwan-grown lychee fruit.
This two part collaboration will also include a Fruited Hazy IPA using Japanese yuzu, brewed at UGLY HALF BEER’s brewery in New Taipei City.
Although Covid-19 prevented the brewing teams from traveling across the border to visit each other’s breweries, their brewers worked together through online meetings and email exchange to develop the recipes for these two fruited Hazy IPAs.
Both beers will be served at the Taiwan gastropub.
Craftbeer Gastropub Address: No. 322, Guangfu South Road, Da’an District, Taipei City, Taiwan 106 (台北市大安區光復南路322號)
