A Death in the Family Oda Ryoji, a pioneering figure of Japan’s craft beer movement, passed away on August 15th after a long battle with illness. He was most widely known as the founder and chairman of the Japan Craft Beer Association (JCBA; later renamed the Craft Beer Association), which oversees beer taster and beer…

Summer is the season of travel–at least that seems to be the tradition in Japan (and many other countries). Oh yeah, and also the season of copious alcohol consumption. We think all seasons are good for imbibing, but we can’t argue with consumer data. So what happens when you cross travel and beer? No, we…

Spring is the most beautiful season in Japan. It’s hard to argue otherwise. Sure, if you’re a winter sports fan, you may be mourning the melting snows, but with the warmer weather and longer days, it just seems like more opportunities are created for enjoying the outdoors. Which means enjoying beer outdoors. Isn’t it great…

The days are short and dark. The air is cold. The only sound outside is the silence of snowfall. It’s winter again. Time to kick back beside the fire, compose haiku about snowy landscapes and foxes while getting really drunk on barley wine. Shit, did we forget to buy some before our winter vacation? Time…

Summer is over. Hopefully, your hangover is, too. We’re not suggesting that you, responsible reader, drank too much during the peak of beer festival season. We just mean this metaphorically. Aren’t you weary of week after week of beer festivals? Aren’t you ready for the quieter days of autumn? We know many of the brewers…