Photo/Illutration Keisuke Ogasawara, back right, poses June 15 in Mitaka City with members of the ICU Local Production for Local Consumption Project, who developed the craft beer “Baka Yama e no Izanai (Invitation to Mt. Baka).” (Photo by Amane Shimazaki)

“Baka," which means dull or foolish, is a word that is much bandied about these days at Tokyo’s International Christian University.

But it is not intended as an insult.

It simply refers to a craft beer developed by students of a university club in the capital’s Mitaka city in cooperation with OGA Brewing, a local brewery.

The brew was developed under the theme of “local production for local consumption,” using barley grown in the city. 

Its name, “Baka Yama e no Izanai (An Invitation to Mt. Baka),” was inspired by a spot on campus where students like to relax.

The club has strong ties with farmers in the city and sells vegetables on campus. It also helps to create a menu for the on-campus cafeteria using locally produced ingredients.

Development of the beer began around two years ago after a part-time lecturer got in contact with the brewery and pitched the idea of making beer together because “I have a student who is working on local production for local consumption.”

At that point, Keisuke Ogasawara, a representative of OGA Brewing, and the student started discussing how to go about it.

Members of the club then held a series of discussions, came up with a concept and started studying the brewing process. But it took around two years from conception to completion due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The “Baka” part of the name refers to a grassy knoll on campus, a symbolic spot at ICU where classes are sometimes held. It is also a place where students can relax or take their lunch break.

Local lore has it that all kinds of dialogue are born in this spot, which is what makes ICU unique. The club wanted to “encourage dialogue over beer,” a theme familiar to any beer drinker. 

The product has a savory taste and aroma due to the roasted barley. Its orange color evokes images of an evening at Mt. Baka, students say.

Because the spot is so sunny and comfortable, it is said that students often skip classes and take naps to become “Baka.”

A tasting event held at a cafe attached to the brewery on June 15 was attended by alumni and current students of the university.

“It has a delicious aroma,” said Masane Nakajima, 44, a graduate and now a company employee. “I thought it was great that the students put into practice what they had learned under the theme of ‘local production for local consumption’ and gave it shape.”

Sora Daisaku, a senior at the university and the leader of the craft beer development team, said, “I would be happy to have this beer with people when they talk with each other while remembering Baka-yama. I hope this beer will help people feel connected to each other.”

There is a limited edition of 800 bottles priced at 880 yen each, including tax. Purchases can be made at the cafe and through mail-order websites. For inquiries, contact OGA Brewing(ogabrewing@gmail.com).

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