Using specialised alcohol resistant yeast, the two brews pack an ABV punch of 24.5% and 19.5%
Two craft breweries in Japan’s Shizuoka Prefecture have teamed up to release limited-edition beers with exceptionally high alcohol content, pushing the boundaries of traditional brewing.
Numazu-based Repubrew and Izunokuni’s Hansharo Beer Brewing have launched versions of “Heaven’s Door,” a pair of beers with alcohol-by-volume (ABV) levels of 24.5% and 19.5%, respectively—well above the typical range for beer. The products aim to showcase the creative potential of craft brewing rather than serve as casual, easy-to-drink beverages.
The unusually high ABV levels were made possible by specialised yeast strains developed in the United States, capable of withstanding intense alcohol concentrations. The brewers also used five times the normal amount of malt.
Repubrew’s “Heaven’s Door” version features a brown, bitter profile with fruity and hoppy aromas. It is sold in 330ml cans for JPY3,300 (US$23) and is legally classified as a spirit under Japanese law, which caps beer at 20% ABV. The product is available online and at Repubrew’s stores in Numazu and Mishima.
Hansharo’s version is darker with a strong hop scent and malty character. Sold in 330ml bottles, priced at JPYY2,800, it is available exclusively on the brewery’s website. Each brewery has produced only 100 units of their respective beers.
Repubrew was founded in 2017 and operates a main taproom in Shizuoka near Numazu Station and another, called Slider House Repubrew, in nearby Mishima. The brewery emphasises the creativity and quality in its brewing process, and a commitment to contributing to Japan’s growing craft beer scene.
Hansharo Beer Brewing, established in 1997, is a craft brewery located in Izunokuni, Shizuoka Prefecture. Situated near the historic Nirayama Reverberatory Furnace, a UNESCO World Heritage site, the brewery draws inspiration from its cultural surroundings. Its on-site restaurant, Homura, offers charcoal-grilled dishes paired with their beers, providing visitors with a comprehensive tasting experience.
