DRINK > Great Dane Brewing, Akiu, Sendai (15/20)

Set against Akiu’s pine-lined hills and onsen steam, Great Dane Brewing brings Midwestern brewpub heart to one of Tohoku’s most storied hot spring valleys—a Wisconsin-born, Sendai-brewed outpost where craft beer, wide-open views and a low-key road-trip energy converge. It feels less like a side-trip from the city and more like a base camp for slow afternoons: pints in the sun, kids running between tables, and the occasional brewery tour punctuating the clink of glassware.

AMBIENCE >

Approaching along the Akiu valley road, the brewery’s low, barn-like profile and broad parking apron immediately signal that this is a destination rather than a casual pit stop. Inside, the two-storey tasting room opens around the stainless-steel brewhouse, with high ceilings, big windows and timber accents that nod to both Midwestern taproom culture and Tohoku’s forests. Hand-built details—reclaimed packing-crate timber whitewashed onto feature walls, simple Edison bulbs, and a generous run of bar seating—soften the industrial bones and keep things firmly on the warm, convivial side of craft-geek.

In daylight, the room fills with soft valley light and the distant green of Akiu’s hills; later, the glow turns amber, the hum rising as locals, onsen visitors and city escapees settle in for lingering flights. Step outside, and a broad garden stretches along the rear of the building, where picnic tables, event spaces and barbecue setups make a persuasive case for long weekend afternoons when the weather cooperates. Upstairs, a semi-private loft can be closed off for groups and parties—useful for brewery takeovers, casual conferences or ski-club gatherings in shoulder season.

EAT >

The kitchen reads like a love letter to classic American brewpub cooking, tuned gently to local tastes and ingredients. Expect a line-up that leans into burgers, fried chicken, loaded fries and sharable plates, backed by heartier mains that match the scale of the room and the beers: think smoky grills, sausages, and platters built for groups fresh in from the road or the river. Portions are generous, presentation is unfussy, and the focus is firmly on food that stands up to hops and malt rather than delicate tasting-menu intricacies.

Locality appears where it matters: Miyagi vegetables, regional meats and seasonal touches give the menu enough sense of place that it never feels like a copy-paste from Wisconsin. Families are well looked after with kid-friendly options, while groups can work their way through large-format plates without overthinking order strategy. Prices sit in the easy-going middle: not bargain-basement, but fair for a destination brewery with this level of space, production kit and crowd-pleasing comfort food.

DRINK >

This is, of course, where Great Dane Akiu really stretches out. Up to sixteen taps pour a rotating selection of house beers brewed on-site, weaving between Wisconsin-rooted signatures and Japan-only riffs that respond to season, local palate and brewer whim. Expect familiar anchor styles—pale ales, IPAs, lagers, stouts—joined by Belgian-influenced ales, fruity specials and collaboration releases that keep the regulars guessing.

Tasting flights are the smartest way in, allowing a tour from crisp, noble-hop bitterness through to richer, malt-driven darks without committing too early. The brewing philosophy leans clean and technically precise rather than wild or aggressively experimental; even the higher-ABV offerings stay balanced and food-friendly. Non-beer drinkers are not forgotten, with soft drinks and simple options on hand, but this is unapologetically a beer-first room—perfect as a capstone to an Akiu onsen day or a starting point before dropping back into Sendai proper.

CONCLUSION >

For ALMANAK readers plotting a Sendai escape, Great Dane Brewing slots neatly into an Akiu circuit that might also take in river walks, hot springs and nearby cafés: a roomy, good-natured hub where Wisconsin brewing culture and Tohoku landscape meet. It is not chasing fine-dining polish or cocktail-bar theatrics; instead, it delivers exactly what a destination brewery should—well-made beer, generous food, thoughtful design and enough space (both inside and out) to let a day stretch naturally. Come with friends, a designated driver and time to linger; leave with a deeper sense that Akiu is quietly becoming one of Japan’s more interesting countryside detours for beer lovers.

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Image Credit | ALMANAK

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