Matsue Beer Hearn

Matsue Beer Hearn (松江ビアへるん) is a Japanese craft beer brand produced by Shimane Beer Co., Ltd. (島根ビール株式会社), a small brewery based in Matsue, Shimane Prefecture. The company was established in October 1996 and began brewing in 1999. The brand name honors Lafcadio Hearn (Koizumi Yakumo), the Meiji-era writer who lived in Matsue and is affectionately known as "Hearn-sensei." The brewery's mission is to create beers that pair well with Shimane's local cuisine and climate, and to share Shimane's food, culture, and people with the world. The brewery produces a range of craft beers including pilsner, pale ale, weizen, stout, and limited-edition brews. Notable products include Enmusubi Beer Stout (縁結麦酒スタウト), a mild black beer made using the traditional Irish milk stout method; Chocolat No.7 (ショコラNo.7), a long-aged dark beer with cacao; an apple beer using dried apples; and Orochi (おろち), a beer made with sake koji. The company also produces other brands such as Kojō (湖城) and Shinjiko Yūhi Beer (宍道湖夕陽ビール). As of 2025, Shimane Beer Co., Ltd. operates with a small team of eight employees. The brewery is located within the Matsue Horikawa Craft Beer Hall (松江堀川地ビール館) building, though the restaurant and shop operations there are run by a separate company, Izumo Co., Ltd. (一畑グループ), which announced it will withdraw by March 2026. Shimane Beer Co., Ltd. has confirmed it will continue brewing and selling its beers from the same address. The brand is active in local beer events, including the San'in Craft Beer Festa and the Japan Beer Festival.

Shimane Beer Co., Ltd. was established in October 1996 and began brewing in 1999 under the brand name Matsue Beer Hearn. The brewery is located in Matsue, Shimane Prefecture, a region known for its historical connection to Lafcadio Hearn (Koizumi Yakumo), the Greek-Irish writer who lived there in the late 19th century. The brand name "Hearn" is a tribute to him, and the brewery aims to promote Shimane's food culture and people to the world. From the start, the brewery focused on creating beers that pair well with local cuisine, using local ingredients where possible. Over the years, it has developed a range of beers including pilsner, pale ale, weizen, and stout, as well as innovative limited editions such as Chocolat No.7 (a cacao-infused dark beer) and Orochi (made with sake koji). The brewery has also been involved in local hop cultivation trials in the San'in region. In 2018, the company launched its official website. As of 2025, the brewery operates with eight employees and continues to produce and sell its beers from its location within the Matsue Horikawa Craft Beer Hall. The restaurant and shop operations at that location are run by a separate company, Izumo Co., Ltd. (part of the Ichibata Group), which announced its withdrawal by March 2026. Shimane Beer Co., Ltd. has confirmed that it will continue brewing and selling its products without interruption.

• Shimane Beer Co., Ltd. established.

• Brewing begins under the Matsue Beer Hearn brand.

• Official website launched.

• Mihonoseki Beer Cruise & Lafcadio Hearn World Tour held.

• Announcement that Shimane Beer Co., Ltd. will continue operating after March 2026 despite the closure of the restaurant and shop at Matsue Horikawa Craft Beer Hall.

A small-batch craft brewery dedicated to creating beers that complement Shimane's local cuisine and terroir, and to sharing Shimane's culture with the world.

• Enmusubi Beer Stout

  A mild black beer made using the traditional Irish milk stout method.

• Chocolat No.7

  A long-aged dark beer with cacao powder, reminiscent of chocolate.

• Orochi

  A beer made with sake koji from sake brewing rice.

• Apple Beer

  A beer using dried apples to bring out apple characteristics.

1. 1松江ビアへるん official websiteshimane-beer.co.jp
2. 2ABOUT | 松江ビアへるんshimane-beer.co.jp
3. 3COMPANY INFO | 松江ビアへるんshimane-beer.co.jp
4. 4Wikidata: Matsue Beer Hearnwikidata.org