Former American Soldier Brewing up Aomori Ale

Burns keeps regular tabs on conditions in his brewery.

Be Easy Brewing has won numerous international beer competitions since its 2016 founding, catching eyes with unique Tsugaru-ben names.

Burns playing Tsugaru-jamisen surrounded by beer fermentation tanks. (Courtesy of Gareth Burns)

The brewery is on the first floor, and the taproom is on the second.

The taproom has 12 rotating taps available at any time.

Aomori is also Japan’s largest producer of cassis. On the day of this interview, Burns also had a meeting with prefectural government officials about cooperating on a cassis beer.

Aomori Ale with Yellow Kōji, made with kōji from the Miura Shuzō sake brewery, won gold at the 2022 Japan Great Beer Awards.

Local residents help out during the hop harvest. “Only in Hirosaki!” says Burns. (Courtesy of Gareth Burns)

The cans have recommended pairings right next to the ingredients list—the kind of customer service that has helped spread craft beer culture in Japan.

Gareth’s Hideout closed temporarily during the pandemic, but has reopened. Burns seems to be as busy as ever.