[Craft Beer Connects the World]

Over the past decade or so, craft beer has evolved beyond being just a beverage, becoming a global phenomenon that reflects local cultures and passions. Its remarkable spread across Japan—including here in Kyoto—and around the world truly makes it a force that “connects the world.”

Once upon a time, beer meant mass-produced, uniform lagers from major manufacturers. However, the situation changed dramatically in the 2010s, with small breweries producing “local beers” springing up nationwide. According to data from the National Tax Agency, the number of businesses holding beer manufacturing licenses in Japan surged from the mid-2010s and is now said to exceed 900. Across the country, unique beers utilizing local specialties and terroir are being crafted, allowing travelers and business visitors to encounter “a glass you can only taste in that place.”

This movement extends beyond Japan, gaining momentum worldwide, particularly in the United States and Europe. In the U.S., the number of breweries, which stood at approximately 3,400 in 2014, is now approaching 10,000 by 2023. New breweries are also emerging in China, Southeast Asia, and South America, producing diverse beers rooted in their respective cultures and climates. Recently in Singapore, I encountered a tropical guava-infused beer at a brewery inside a hawker center. In Shanghai, I savored a double IPA with a delicate green tea aroma. Both were distinctive craft beers leveraging local ingredients and climate. Holding a glass while traveling often sparks natural conversations with staff or fellow patrons, making me realize how craft beer plays a significant role in connecting people.

Here's an interesting anecdote. Gordon Bowker, one of the founders of the global coffee chain Starbucks, co-founded the Redhook Brewery in Seattle in 1981. Applying the commitment to quality honed through coffee bean roasting to beer brewing, and guided by the philosophy that “beer lovers deserve choices,” he created distinctive craft beers that were still rare in America at the time. Redhook's challenge, originating in Seattle, Washington, became a pioneer of the craft beer movement that would soon spread across the United States. It instilled the values of “brewing locally” and “diverse, creative beers” throughout America. That spirit lives on today, with breweries worldwide creating new flavors by leveraging their unique sensibilities and ingredients.

Among the many styles, the iconic IPA (India Pale Ale) stands out. On America's West Coast, it boasts vibrant citrus hop aromas; in Britain, harmony with malt is prioritized; and in Japan, unique styles incorporating yuzu or green tea have emerged. While sharing a common style, the greatest appeal lies in how water quality, climate, and the brewer's philosophy give rise to entirely distinct personalities. It truly is a world's fair in a glass.

Craft beer is not just “delicious”; it revitalizes communities, connects people, and sparks cultural exchange. This beverage, brimming with infinite creativity, will continue to surprise, delight, and unite the world.

Azmaya's Nonic
https://www.shokunin.com/en/azmaya/nonic.html
Hirota Glass's Sori Yanagi Wine Glass
https://www.shokunin.com/en/hirota/wine.html

Reference
https://www.redhook.com/about
https://montanabrewers.org/craft-brewer-volume-share-of-u-s-beer-market-reaches-double-digits-in-2014/
https://www.brewersassociation.org/association-news/brewers-association-releases-annual-craft-brewing-industry-production-report-and-top-50-producing-craft-brewing-companies-for-2023/