Sankt Gallen Brewery (サンクトガーレン) of Atsugi, Kanagawa, will release Apple Cinnamon Ale (アップルシナモンエール) on Thursday, October 8, 2026. The beer is made by upcycling "blemished apples" from Ina, Nagano, and is sold for the autumn and winter season only. By putting to use fruit that would otherwise have been discarded, the beer helps reduce food loss and supports sustainable production. See the Apple Cinnamon Ale product page for details.
A Brewing Process That Looks Like Making Sweets
The brewing begins with roasting about 500 blemished apples for a full day in the oven of a bakery in Atsugi. The scene looks more like making sweets than brewing beer. The next day, the baked apples are used for the brew.
The base beer uses "caramel malt" (カラメルモルト), a lightly roasted malt. Its sweet, toasty flavor, similar to caramel sauce, blends with the baked apples and cinnamon to create a deep taste reminiscent of apple pie.
Blemished Apples from Ina, Nagano
Apple Cinnamon Ale is made with blemished apples harvested in Ina, Nagano. The brewery buys fruit that cannot be shipped because of scratches or cracks caused by rubbing against branches or wind, or because of uneven shape or color, and upcycles it into beer. In years when typhoons damaged some of the fruit, that fruit is used as well.
According to people involved, such blemished apples account for as much as 30% of the harvest in some years. By using them in processed products, the brewery helps reduce food loss and contributes to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
About 500 apples are used per brew, and 2,500 to 3,000 are planned for the whole season. The varieties change with the season: Tsugaru (つがる), Jonagold (ジョナゴールド), Kogyoku (紅玉) and Shinano Sweet (シナノスイート) in October, and Fuji (ふじ) in November.
Apple Cinnamon Ale Product Overview
- Product name: Apple Cinnamon Ale (アップルシナモンエール) (happoshu)
- Bottle size: 330 ml
- Suggested retail price: ¥539 (tax included)
- Where to buy: The brewery's official online shop (pre-orders are open), Odakyu Department Store Shinjuku (小田急百貨店 新宿店), Tokyu Department Store Tama Plaza (東急百貨店 たまプラーザ店), Nagano Tokyu Department Store (ながの東急百貨店) and other stores. After the release date, the list will be updated on the official website as needed.
- Release date: Thursday, October 8, 2026 (limited to the autumn and winter season)
Notes:
- Because this beer uses more fruit than the amount allowed for "beer" under Japan's Liquor Tax Act, its product category is "happoshu" (発泡酒).
- Some stores may carry the Halloween label.
- The Halloween label is sold for a limited time through the end of October.
Haunted Apple Halloween Label Also Released, Sold Through the End of October
In Japan, Halloween is associated with pumpkins, but in the West apples are also an essential part of the holiday. Reflecting this, a Halloween label that gives the apple on the label a jack-o'-lantern-style face will be sold from October 8 through the end of October. It is also recommended as a Halloween gift.
Enjoy Draft Beer at Stores and Event Venues
Sankt Gallen Taproom (サンクトガーレン タップルーム)
This is the brewery's directly operated shop, located right by the north exit of Hon-Atsugi Station. Twenty types of Sankt Gallen beer, from regular beers to seasonal ones, are available on draft. For food, the shop serves authentic pizza, with each piece of dough stretched after the order is placed and baked in a stone oven.
- Address: Hon-Atsugi Mylord 2 (本厚木ミロード2), 1F, 2-2-1 Nakacho, Atsugi, Kanagawa (right by the north exit of Hon-Atsugi Station)
- Phone: 046-230-7017
- Hours: Sunday to Thursday 12:00 PM to 10:00 PM / Friday, Saturday and days before public holidays 12:00 PM to 11:00 PM
- Last order: 1 hour before closing for food, 30 minutes before closing for beer
Atsugi Ayu Festival (あつぎ鮎まつり)
- Dates: Saturday, October 10 and Sunday, October 11, 2026
- Venue: Atsugi Chuo Park and other locations (厚木中央公園ほか)
- Details: Event page
Nippon Zenkoku Bussanten (ニッポン全国物産展)
- Dates: Friday, November 20 to Sunday, November 22, 2026
- Venue: Exhibition Hall A and B, Sunshine City, Ikebukuro (池袋サンシャインシティ 展示ホール A・B)
- Details: Official website
Sankt Gallen beer can also be enjoyed at beer bars that carry it. Participating venues will be posted on the official website as they are confirmed.
