Oktoberfest Blues

(photo c/o City of Munich) Throughout the world beer festivals have been postponed or cancelled due to the Coronavirus. In some countries organizers are now considering events in the summer on a limited scale, while in others, they are cautiously optimistic about sticking to their original plans. But some jaw-dropping news came in from Germany:…

Czech-style Beer from Kobo

Word from the Czech Republic is that its 500+ breweries (for a population of just 10 million!) are seeing such a drastic drop in sales that they are having to dump millions of liters of their delicious golden brew. The very thought of it makes us want to cry, and kindles in us the desire…

Shiga Kogen Beer Giveaway

Eigo Sato, owner of Shiga Kogen Beer in Nagano, has an amazing and heartfelt offer to those affected by the Coronavirus. He has decided to offer 10,000 bottles of the company’s popular IPA for free! The aim is to provide support to those hit the hardest in this crisis, such as restaurant staff, those in…

All Together Now, Japan

Many retailers are getting hit especially hard right now because of lockdown orders or at least the reduced numbers of consumers going out. Restaurants rely on diners, and many breweries rely on draft sales in their taprooms. In short, hospitality staff (including servers, bartenders, and dishwashers) are taking the brunt of the economic damage. Many…

Craftrock Video Program

Of the many things being cancelled during this pandemic, live music gatherings are among the most heartbreaking. Music is one of the few things that can transcend borders and language, and unite all of humanity. And those that create it are artists, the vast majority of whom make very little money doing so in the…