In the corporate world, at 27 most people are just getting their foot on the second rung of the ladder, struggling to move up. In the craft brewing industry, the climb to the top of the ladder might be a lot shorter, but advancement still usually requires some time. 27-year-old Shoma Hata already has his…

Tom Ainsworth is always smiling. It’s like he has constant mischief on his mind. Or that he was born with a surplus of friendliness. To many, it seems Australians have an abundance of that human quality. Or maybe he loves his job as brewer and part-owner at Kyoto Beer Lab that much. Either way, it’s…

text by Chiaki Akasofu, photos by Matt Gammon Enjoying alcohol is one of life’s pleasures. It goes without saying that having a drink in hand while passing time with colleagues, family or good friends–and then rising from your chair a little tipsy–is a good feeling. The phrase “ottotto” (Whoa, that’s enough.) that you’ll hear at…

Caravans acquire and trade unique items in their travels, dispersing the culture of one land in all the regions they touch. The image of caravans moving to and from the Far East and Africa provided the basic concept for Brewery & Restaurant Carvaan [sic], which opened in July of 2017 in Hanno City, Saitama. The…

In 2017 quite a few well-known breweries celebrated their 20th anniversary. These included the likes of Isekadoya, Swan Lake, Yo-Ho Brewing and Minoh. Also in that successful group is T.Y.HARBOR, founded on Tennozu Isle in Shinagawa, Tokyo. In recent years, the popularity of small brewpubs operating on a scale similar to privately run ramen shops…