Jianguo Brewery

Taiwan’s first beer brewery, founded in 1919 as the Takasago Beer Company (高砂麥酒株式會社) with equipment imported from Hawaii. The plant was completed in 1920 and rushed its first draft beer to market ahead of that June’s colonial anniversary, though early mismanagement and a bitter product soon left the company deep in debt. It remained the only brewery in Taiwan throughout the Japanese era, with beer coming under the control of the Monopoly Bureau in 1933. A small factory Shinto shrine (構內社) once stood on the grounds but has since vanished without a trace.

In the post-war era it fell under state control and cycled through several names before becoming Jianguo Brewery in 1975. The Japanese colonial era brick buildings were designated a municipal monument in 2000, with the post-war brewing tower, cellar, and packaging hall listed as historic buildings in 2006. Still in operation as Taipei Beer Factory, it is prized for its traditional methods, a rare set of German copper mash kettles, and yeast strains preserved since colonial times. The brewery is open to the public; a beer garden near the entrance offers inexpensive draft beer and Mandarin Chinese tours of the facilities are provided at set times.