Food & Drink Oct 24, 2020

Japan’s craft beer industry looks to maintain connections with fans

From tax breaks to take-out alcohol and trimmed-down events, bars and breweries transform their neighborhood ties.

Food & Drink Oct 10, 2020

After a summer without craft beer festivals, where does the industry go from here?

For Japan’s craft beer, festivals and events are key to industry growth. Cancelations have left breweries and staff scrambling to make up lost income.

Food & Drink Aug 22, 2020

Top 5: The best burger restaurants in Tokyo

The Japan Times tried over 20 of the best burger shops in town, narrowing it down to five places that more than sate the hunger for a proper burger.

Food & Drink Apr 3, 2020

Where to order craft beer online in Japan

Craving a cold one while staying home to help prevent the spread of COVID-19? The Japan Times has you covered with 13 recommendations for where you can order craft beer delivered straight to your home.

Food & Drink Nov 9, 2019

Tokyo Aleworks: Keeping its doors open to the community

Tokyo Aleworks offers periodic one-day brewing classes for customers to try their hand at making beer, just one way it opens its doors to young brewers and the local community.

Food & Drink | Cultivating Craft Aug 31, 2019

An ongoing evolution: 25 years of craft beer in Japan

In its first 25 years, Japanese craft beer has faced its share of challenges. Cultivating Craft wraps up with a look at how far the craft beer boom has come, but also what industry experts say needs to improve.

Food & Drink | Cultivating Craft Aug 3, 2019

Coedo Brewery's beer is rooted in agriculture

A desire to use perfectly edible produce deemed "unsuitable" for sale led Coedo Brewery to innovate with local ingredients in beer, and now its brews are on shelves nationwide.

Food & Drink | Cultivating Craft Jul 6, 2019

For Shonan Beer, quality and locality drive success

Investment in the local Kanazawa Prefecture market and a focus on the quality of the beer are the keys to success for Shonan Beer.

Food & Drink | Cultivating Craft Jun 1, 2019

Homebrewing in Japan: Craft beer's creative foundation

Craft beer in Japan is experiencing a second renaissance. However, many of Japan's breweries are still trying to catch up to the innovation and skill level of their overseas counterparts. Could legalizing homebrewing help boost creativity?

Food & Drink | Cultivating Craft May 4, 2019

For Locobeer, success starts close to home

With only one full-time employee, Chiba Prefecture-based Locobeer has kept its local focus for over 20 years, all the while brewing an award-winning and eclectic lineup of beer.