Date: Jan. 25, 2024
Media Contact: Jake Miller, jake@sundaypaper.com
Suds in Sendai: Great Dane Japan opens its doors following years of planning
Commercial Brewery & Pub will distribute beer throughout Japan
MADISON – Rob LoBreglio, brew master and co-founder of Great Dane Pub & Brewing Co., is once again an ambassador for craft beer.
The industry veteran, along with several partners, officially opened Great Dane Japan on Friday, Jan. 19 in Akiu Onsen, Sendai, Japan. Their goal is to brew and distribute a variety of beer throughout the country, while introducing Japan’s up-and-coming craft beer scene to new styles.
“I have a personal connection to Japan, and I felt like brewing here would afford me the opportunity to become an ambassador of beer,” LoBreglio said. “Back when we started the Dane, we were able to introduce people to many new beer styles. Now, the American public is well-versed in beer, so that role isn’t as necessary. In Japan, I can once again teach people about all the amazing beers the world has to offer.”
The location in Sendai, officially known as Great Dane Brewing, is a commercial brewery, first and foremost. Unlike the Dane’s pubs in Wisconsin, the Japan brewery can produce much higher quantities of beer and is set up to can and package everything on site, using state-of-the-art equipment and tech.
While brewing beer is priority No. 1, they’ll also have a restaurant and tasting room that will serve up a mix of Dane classics and other new items. Shinji Muramoto, originally from Sapporo, Japan and owner of Muramoto in Madison, will serve as president, overseeing the brewery’s tasting room and restaurant.
The new brewery’s first flagship beer is officially dubbed “Great Lager”. It’s a crisp, dry beer – a style popular in Japan – but features European and American hops, which deliver subtle floral and citrus notes.
“It’s interesting to note that IPA’s have also become popular in Japan, but they still don’t account for much of the volume of beer consumed,” LoBreglio said. “We’ve created our ‘Great Lager’ to bridge two worlds: Having a unique ‘craft beer’ flavor, but with the drinkability of some of the most popular pilsners in Japan.”
Celebrating Sendai in Wisconsin
All the Madison-area Great Dane locations will have a variety of specials through Feb. 4 to celebrate the grand opening of Great Dane Japan.
A limited-time menu will feature bao, yakitori and miso grilled salmon. Matt Pace, the Dane’s executive chef, said he crafted the menu while keeping Muramoto in mind. Muramoto not only taught Pace much about being a chef, but he also inspired him to master more Asian cooking techniques and recipes.
“I love creating traditional Asian dishes as well as others that have an American twist,” Pace said. “To be able to put together a special menu to celebrate the opening of Great Dane Japan was tons of fun and something I’ve looked forward to since construction began in Sendai.”
The menu also features two new cocktails, the Grapefruit Chuhai and Kanpai Sendai. In the mood for beer? They’ll have 12-ounce cans of Great Lager available. Six-packs are $8, while individual cans are $2 each.
Lastly, in honor of the grand opening, all Madison-area pubs will have special-edition T-shirts, pint glasses and stickers available to purchase.
For more information, visit https://www.greatdanepub.com/japan. For interview requests and photos, contact Jake Miller at jake@sundaypaper.com.
About The Great Dane Pub & Brewing Co.
Since 1994, The Great Dane Pub & Brewing Co. has served up its award-winning craft beers alongside local and global pub fare prepared from scratch. The Dane, with three Madison locations and brewpubs in Fitchburg and Wausau, has a mission to make the community a great place to live, work and play. To find a location, learn more about the Great Dane’s beer and to view upcoming events, visit greatdanepub.com.
