by Kumagai Jinya Unless you’re a local, you probably wouldn’t just pack up and head off to Toyama Bay without special reason—it’s one of those places. But for a craft beer fan, Tanabata Beer Festa Toyama comes to mind, not to mention the breweries of the region. But the appeal of taking a beer pilgrimage…

by Ry Beville Asheville, North Carolina is the Kitajima Kousuke of craft beer. Like the four-time Olympic breaststroke champion (going for gold again in London), Asheville has won the title of BeerCity USA four years straight. Organized by Charlie Papazian, the contest polls voters via the internet. Although it’s just a contest with fans of…

by Daniel Simmons Proximity to Kyoto is both a blessing and a curse for Biwa-ko, Japan’s largest freshwater lake and one of its most beautiful. On the one hand, you can hop on the train at Kyoto station and arrive at Otsu on the lake’s southern shore in a mere 10 minutes! On the other…

by Kumagai Jinya Summer. Shocking blue skies, transparent aquamarine waters, and 160 subtropical islands whose high temperatures actually almost never rise above 35ºC—this is Okinawa. In such an environment, where people can’t help but drink refreshing beer, maybe it’s fine that most go first for an Orion Beer. But what about your second? So all…

Kjetil Jikiun is as big as a Viking king, kind as a kindergarten teacher. His name is the Old Norse word for kettle, which seems appropriate given his world recognition as a master craft brewer. In his native Norway, he can claim credit for launching the craft beer movement. Given Norway’s relatively small market for…