Aizu craftsmanship meets circularity with new beverage from strawberries

JR East Start UP, mitosaya, and the esteemed Aizu-based sake brewery Takahashi Shosaku Brewery, known for its “Aizu Musume” sake, have announced that they will be introducing “LIL’ STRAWBERRY,” a new non-alcoholic craft beverage, on 19 June. The drink is utlilises by-products from the gin production process, specifically from the creation of Takahashi Shosaku Brewery’s “Aizu Gin.”

This initiative directly addresses the challenge of agricultural and production surplus by upcycling strawberries and their infusion liquid, which are residues from Aizu Gin manufacturing. This resourceful approach not only minimises waste but also creates a novel product imbued with a distinct regional character, aligning with circular economy principles.

mitosaya, operating its “CAN-PANY” bottling plant in Kiyosumi-Shirakawa, Tokyo, plays a key role in this project. CAN-PANY (established 2023) specialises in small-batch, non-alcoholic beverage production and collaboration. It offers a comprehensive service from recipe development through to sales. This facility enables the transformation of these unique Aizu-derived ingredients into “LIL’ STRAWBERRY”, using gin-steeped strawberries and their infusion liquid, complemented by botanicals such as chamomile, cardamom, and oregano.

The beverage is described as a refreshing drink perfect for a journey, evoking the essence of a spring breeze. JR East Start UP, the corporate venture capital arm of East Japan Railway Company, supports this endeavour as part of its “JR East Start UP Program 2024 Autumn.”

The collaboration aims to extend beyond this single product. The partners intend to continue working with regional breweries and producers to develop further non-alcoholic craft beverages that showcase local ingredients. This strategy seeks to stimulate regional economies and generate new tourism opportunities by offering unique souvenir options and travel incentives. Future plans include collaborations with VTubers and the creation of custom-designed cans for specific venues.