With summer in full swing in Japan, every weekend features a beer festival somewhere. Different cities hosting festivals on the same weekend is not even unusual anymore. You, just like many brewers, may find yourself torn between your choices of which festival to visit. In our opinion, the Tochigi Craft Beer Festa is one that…
As we posted on this site on March 16, new tax laws in Japan now allow brewers to add various spices, fruits, and herbs to their beverages and have them recognized as “beer,” rather than labeling them “happoshu.” The laws do not allow them to brew anything that could not be brewed before, mind you—they…
Outdoor barbecue and beer sounds like a great way to celebrate the arrival of warm weather. A ten-day festival combining the two sounds even better. Who doesn’t want an exponentially expanded selection of delicious food and drinks? Now add live music, dance performances and other entertainment, and you have a festive community gathering absolutely worthy…
Most people know the essential items for successful camping: a tent, first-aid kit, sleeping bag, pillow, rain cover, maybe a Swiss army knife. Definitely beer. Camping and beer are classics. Each elevates the experience of the other. Beer and camping fans in Japan will be happy to know that Baird Beer in Shuzenji, Shizuoka is…
(photo care of Sankt Gallen) Japanese craft breweries like Sankt Gallen have been making fruit beers for years. They’re about to get competition from the country’s industrial breweries. On April 1st the tax laws relating to beer in Japan will change, and several additives which were previously prohibited in “beer” will become acceptable. Until now,…
