We say it every year, but can you believe it’s almost time for the brewing season to start winding down? Indeed, some brewers have already laid down their ...

It’s official! Spring is here.Nothing says spring in Japan more than the sight of cherry blossoms - and they are finally here for 2026. But as is the deal ...

We open this issue with some particularly sad news. By now many of our readers may have heard the news of a brewery worker in Akita Prefecture perishing ...

Here we are, in the middle of August, rounding the bend and almost getting ready to head back into the brewing season. But there’s still time left for fun ...

Orihara Shoten is a liquor shop and a "standing drink bar" usually known as 立ち呑み屋 (tachinomiya). This shop many shelves with various kinds of alcohol and ...

The weather is definitely leaning to the slightly warmer spring side (blink and you’ll miss it), and the number of events happening around Japan indicate ...

Do you like sake? Of course you do.Do you like learning as much about sake as you can? Of course you do, that’s why you read this newsletter!But guess what? ...

In this episode we talk about the 1983 Taito classic, Ice Cold Beer. Hear all about our strategies, ...

It’s that time of the year where we feel the cyclical nature of the sake industry.While it seems like everything is over for BY7 as most breweries are well ...

Many sing the praises of Japan’s distinct seasons; the foliage of autumn, the frosty snow of winter, the cherry blossoms of spring and the serenading ...