Under a deal with Mikuni, the fast-growing sushi chain, Sacramento Brewing developed a Japanese-style pilsner to be sold only in the firm’s restaurants. For now, the brew – called Mikuni Premium Pilsner Reserve – is available on tap.
But in a week or so, it also will be sold in bottles with a special Mikuni label that includes a samurai sword and "kanji," or Japanese lettering, designed by Mikuni’s founder, the Rev. Koki Arai.
Why produce bottles when you can serve it on tap? "The traditional way to have sushi is with a bottle of beer," says Capm Peterson, the brewing company’s distribution chief. "So they wanted it both ways."
Plans call for the brewery to produce another product for Mikuni in the fall – a sweet black beer that only rarely is served outside Japan.
The Bee’s Bob Shallit can be reached at (916) 321-1049 or bshallit@sacbee.com.