“Mineral Brew” Turned Oyster Shells into a Sustainable Sip

浜名湖産の牡蠣殻を使ったクラフトビール開発　「環境とアスリートにやさしいビール」

Game-Changing Beer: From Ocean Waste to Refreshing Taste

“Mineral Brew”

In the coastal city of Hamamatsu, Japan, a new idea is bubbling up—literally! It all started when a group called funbank decided to turn community fun into a force for good. Their motto, “No fun, No life!”, says it all. Founded in May 2023, funbank was created to “build a society where fun echoes.” From music and sports events to children’s books, their projects aim to make both kids and adults smile.

But their most game-changing creation so far? A one-of-a-kind craft beer called “Mineral Brew.”

Founder Nanase Oshiro was inspired by her time in Boston, where she joined friendly running events. Wanting to recreate that energy back home, she launched a monthly event called Beer Run Hamamatsu. As more people joined, an exciting thought popped up—what if the event had its own original beer?

That dream came true when Oshiro teamed up with local oyster farmers and a brewery named Octagon Brewing. Together, they created a special beer that’s good for both runners and the environment.

The secret ingredient? Oyster shells from Lake Hamana. Every year, about 200 tons of these shells pile up, creating a waste problem. But instead of throwing them away, funbank and its partners decided to give the shells new life. The shells were crushed, boiled, and used as a natural source of minerals like potassium, magnesium, and calcium—nutrients runners lose during exercise.

浜名湖特産のカキ　処分が課題だった殻をビール造りに活用へ【静岡・浜名湖】

“The idea was to make a beer that’s kind to the environment and to athletes,” said Shoichi Yagita from Yagita Oyster Shop. By using shells that would have otherwise been discarded, this project became a step toward sustainable business.

At the brewery, Yasuhiro Chiba from Octagon Brewing explained how they make it: “We boil the crushed oyster shells with water for about 20 to 30 minutes, draw out the minerals, and use that water to brew the beer.” The result is a smooth, refreshing wheat beer with five to ten times more minerals than regular beer—without any fishy taste.

When Mineral Brew was introduced at a special event called Beer Run-pic, 70 runners and 300 guests cheered and raised their glasses in celebration. “A special beer filled with the charm of Hamamatsu and Lake Hamana has been created,” smiled Oshiro.

In the future, funbank hopes to create new flavors by combining oyster shell fertilizer with locally grown crops—a true cycle of community creativity.

What makes Mineral Brew a real game-changer isn’t just the unique recipe—it’s the spirit behind it. It shows how fun, teamwork, and care for the planet can turn a local problem into a global inspiration. By mixing sports, sustainability, and community joy, Hamamatsu proved that even waste can taste like victory!

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