Europe is the origin of the world’s classic beer styles. Certainly, countries outside Europe have developed popular new categories—especially America—but these still evolved from European traditions. Germany, Czech Republic, Belgium, England—this is where it all began. Innovation is great and we’re excited to see brewers expanding the possibilities for flavor, but we’re also pleased to…

by Kumagai Jinya The beer that most people probably associate with Karuizawa, one of Japan’s finest luxury resort areas, is Yo-Ho Brewing’s Karuizawa Kogen Beer. In 2013, however, a new one emerged: Karuizawa Asama Kogen Beer, produced by Karuizawa Brewing Company in Nagano prefecture’s Saku City. The company received its brewing license in the middle…

by Mark Meli It wasn’t very long ago that “craft beer” and “Nagoya” were just about mutually exclusive terms. Good Belgian beer was available, but Japanese and other craft imports were extremely hard to find, especially after Kinshachi closed their Beer Circus restaurant. Then in 2010, the first dedicated craft beer pub, Keg Nagoya, opened…

by Ry Beville Outside of Japan, Hitachino Nest is almost synonymous with Japanese craft beer. Kiuchi Shuzô (Kiuchi Brewery), the brewery behind the popular brand and its iconic owl logo, has focused much of its effort on overseas markets, after all. In America in particular, where consumers pronounce the brand with Anglicized stress—HEE-ta-CHEE-no—the brewery has…

Last year was momentous for craft beer in Japan. In this “Best of 2013” list compiled by the Japan Beer Times, we recognize some of those that contributed to a great 2013. We realize that “best” lists are always controversial and that much of this may be due to personal taste. If you have a…