{"version":1,"type":"rich","provider_name":"Libsyn","provider_url":"https:\/\/www.libsyn.com","height":90,"width":600,"title":"Ikasu Brewing Leans into \u2018Weird,\u2019 \u2018Good Beer\u2019 and Japanese Culinary Ingredients","description":" Ikasu Brewing founder Masahiro \u201cMasa\u201d Kitano believes his Los Angeles-based, contract-brewed brand has found its niche, leaning into \u201cweird and good beer\u201d that taps into Japanese culinary ingredients.    Kitano\u2019s history as a home brewer helped him craft out-of-the-ordinary beers, such as a matcha-infused gose.   \u201cIt\u2019s a sour beer with the aroma of matcha, but it doesn\u2019t look green,\u201d he said. \u201cYou smell it and it\u2019s super unique. No one\u2019s thought about combining sour beer with matcha.\u201d    Kitano\u2019s beer, as well as his story of leaving a career as a medical researcher to chase his brewing dream, coupled with his infectious personality, propelled him to victory during Brewbound\u2019s Pitch Slam competition at the 2025 Brewbound Live business conference last December.   On this week\u2019s Brewbound Podcast, Kitano shares an update on the business following the win and why he believes his pitch resonated.   \u201cI tried to make the pitch as simple as possible, a little bit stupid and a little be funny \u2013 magically it worked out,\u201d he said. \u201cI\u2019m so glad that happened.\u201d   In the months since, the draft-only brand added several bar and restaurant accounts following the win and recently signed with L.A. Distributing Co., Kitano said.    Ikasu continues to operate out of Los Angeles-based Native Son, where the brand has six taps dedicated to its beer. The relationship has helped Ikasu test new offerings and connect with a built-in audience.    In this episode, Kitano goes deeper into his innovation process, as well as his aspirations for Ikasu, including plans to can Larigato, Ikasu\u2019s Japanese rice lager, later this year for distribution.   Before the conversation, the Brewbound team discusses craft beer\u2019s 2025 production report released earlier this week by the Brewers Association. They dive into why Sierra Nevada leapfrogging Boston Beer as the No. 2 independent craft brewery by volume highlights the successes of one brewery and the shift in focus away from beer of the other.   The trio also explore Mark Anthony Brands\u2019 deal for the Finnish Long Drink, and which RTD dominos are left to fall\/cash in. ","author_name":"Brewbound Podcast","author_url":"http:\/\/brewbound.libsyn.com\/website","html":"