Japanese craft beer has gained a huge international following in recent years. And not only are Japanese beer brand BLW Upcycle’s offerings utterly refreshing and delicious, but they come with rare environmental credentials, too. That’s because, as the “Upcycle” name suggests, the company’s broad range of craft beers and other alcoholic drinks is made by diverting products and ingredients leftover from the process of baking bread and turning them into tasty alcoholic beverages. In short, these are drinks that will make you feel good both in your body and your soul.
This in-depth guide to Japanese craft beer company Better Life With Upcycle covers everything from the brand’s innovative backstory to its main products. We also provide step-by-step instructions on how to order BLW Upcycle drinks from abroad via ZenMarket.
Better Life With Upcycle: Brand Overview
BLW Upcycle first came to life when a 100-year-old bakery in Kanagawa prefecture decided to address the problem of food waste. Looking around for the best way to reduce the bakery’s environmental footprint by repurposing unused materials, the owner realized that while quality and craftsmanship were important, the precise form that the new product would take was not. What mattered was simply that ordinary people would get to live better lives and have the opportunity to participate in environmentally-sound practices without this feeling like a heavy burden.
Previously any waste from the bakery was sent to be used as animal feed. But for a number of reasons this solution wasn’t ideal. The alternative they hit upon was teaming up with a brewery that shares their passion for sustainably-produced and tasty artisanal products. From this partnership was born Better Life With Upcycle Japanese craft beer and gin.
Now BLW Upcycle offers beer connoisseurs a wide range of excellent Japanese craft beers, from crisp, fresh lagers through to IPAs, a Belgian-style blond, bitter and stout, and even fruit-flavored beers. There’s also a bread-based gin.
All the while, the company maintains both exceptional brewing standards and low-impact production processes. And with each product delivered in beautifully-designed packaging, Upcycle’s products make fantastic gifts, too.
Recommended Japanese Craft Beers From BLW Upcycle
In just a short time BLW Upcycle’s range of Japanese craft beers has expanded rapidly to include a substantial number of creative and delicious options. Let us introduce you to a few of our favorites here.
Red DIPA
Typical of its ilk, the Red DIPA – what most of us call a “double IPA” or an “Imperial IPA” – is a strong India Pale Ale with a full-bodied, malty and bitter taste. However, what gives Upcycle’s iteration its unique character are the distinctive hints of spice, citrus and molasses woven into the more classic high-hop IPA flavorings. An exceptional Japanese craft beer for those who like their drinks robust and characterful. 9% ABV.
Iyokan Saison
Upcycle’s Iyokan Saison is a fine Japanese craft beer combining the dry and fruity qualities of a Belgian saison ale with the refreshing tang of iyokan zest. For those unfamiliar with iyokan, this is a popular Japanese citrus fruit that is similar to a mandarin orange, and here it pairs perfectly with the aerated spice of the saison yeast. Despite the light and fruity taste, this is a moderately strong option with an ABV of 6.5%.
Jalapeño Amber
A distinctive drink, both in appearance and flavor, Jalapeño Amber is a fruity caramel-tinged beer that nonetheless retains a satisfying degree of dryness on the palate. Featuring a rich and malty flavor with a spicy kick, Jalapeño Amber was developed as an accompaniment to karē-raisu and other similarly complex cuisines. Indeed, this is a beer that can hold its own alongside fiery curries and all variety of devilish dishes. One of the most unique Japanese craft beers out there, at 5% ABV, Jalapeño Amber is a moderate tipple that can be consumed at leisure.
Pilsner
Upcycle’s Pilsner is a classic German-style lager. Piquant and biscuity, but with the bread base adding a touch of sweetness and aroma. 5% ABV.
Extra Special Bitter
“Bitter” is essentially what the British call a pale ale; a mild to moderate strength beer that was traditionally cask-conditioned. Less hoppy in flavor than an IPA, yet stronger tasting than the average lager, BLW Upcycle’s Extra Special Bitter is a copper-colored beer with a malty sweetness and only mild carbonation. A solid all-rounder that will pair well with most dishes or can be enjoyed on its own.
Strawberry Milkshake
A tart tipple containing actual strawberries – but thankfully no milk – BLW Upcycle’s Strawberry Milkshake will appeal to lovers of floral, hoppy beers with a fruity aftertaste. At 7% ABV, though, it’s no slacker.
Since its invention in 18th-century London, Imperial Stout has gone from being hugely popular to falling completely out of fashion. Even just a couple of decades ago, it was not an easy drink to find – anywhere. But the last few years have seen a major resurgence in the popularity of stout around the world; largely thanks to the efforts of a few dedicated craft brewers.
At 8% ABV, Upcyle’s interpratation of imperial stout is a burly heavyweight that is truly worthy of the name. Malty and complex, with a hint of chocolate, coffee, and prunes, this is a drink to savor in unhurried enjoyment.
BLW Upcycle’s Bread-Based Gin
Pure Bread Gin
As you will have likely come to expect by now, Upcycle’s take on gin starts from a base of bread. Yet the drink builds from this unlikely beginning to a botanical crescendo of juniper, lime, lavender and yuzu fruit. The result is a mellow and refreshing drink that works equally well on the rocks or mixed with tonic.
A Step-by-Step Guide To Ordering Japanese Craft Beer and Gin from BLW Upcycle
Before we dive into ordering BLW Upcycle’s craft beers and gin, you might also want to explore other premium Japanese drinks. Check out our guide on how to buy Japanese sake from Sakenova for another delicious and sustainable option.
Drinkers outside of Japan looking to get their hands on Japanese craft beer will typically find it near-impossible to order from local vendors. Aside from the fact that the average Japanese website offers no English language text whatsoever, the majority of Japanese businesses simply don’t ship abroad anyway.
This is where ZenMarket comes in; we can order the goods for you, and once we’ve received them at our warehouse in Japan, we forward them to you, wherever you are. Simple.
Looking to order premium Japanese craft beer from BLW Upcycle? Here are the steps to follow:
First sign up for an account at ZenMarket. All you have to do is register your email address and choose a password. What’s more, it’s totally free.
In order to be abble to order from Upcycle, you’ll first need to log in to ZenMarket
Now browse the range of Japanese craft beers available from BLW Upcycle, and choose which items you want to order.
After deciding which Japanese craft beers you'd like to try, copy the product URL from Upcycle's website, paste it into the ZenMarket search bar, and add it to your cart. ZenMarket offers a super-smooth checkout process with secure payment via credit card or PayPal.
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Select Shipping and Delivery Options
To ensure your craft beer reaches you swiftly and securely, ZenMarket provides several international shipping methods, including express delivery. You can track your package and choose the delivery option that best suits your budget and schedule.
Once the package arrives at your door, all that’s left for you to do is unpack, place your premium Japanese craft beer in the refrigerator…and enjoy!
Conclusion
Not only is Better Life With Upcycle one of the leading brewers of Japanese craft beer, it is also a company founded upon solid ethical principles. As we as a planet face an increasingly urgent environmental crisis due to over-consumption, food waste is a serious problem that needs to be solved. By turning bread crusts into delicious craft beer and gin, BLW Upcycle have taken on the burden of responsible consumption themselves, making it easier for the rest of us to live more sustainable lifestyles without guilt.
That’s something we can all raise a glass to, right?
Head on over to Upcycle Beer’s website and add some of their premium Japanese craft beer to your ZenMarket cart now.
Kampai!