Here are some things that go together: sushi and wasabi, ramen and a soft-boiled egg, and… Firestone Walker and winning Japanese beer competitions? You know it.
We recently packed our bags (and our best brews) and headed to Yokohama for the Japan Brewer’s Cup, one of the most respected beer festivals and competitions in the international brewing scene. And let’s just say, we had a blast. There were great people, better conversations with our fellow brewers from around the world, and, of course, plenty of incredible beer.
But the real kicker? We walked away with the Champion Brewery award, meaning our beers stole the show. DBA (Double Barrel Ale) snagged 1st place in the Light Ale category, proving that a well-crafted classic never goes out of style. Electric Eagle IPA soared to 4th place in the West Coast IPA category, standing tall among some serious hop-heavy contenders. And because we like to mix things up, our Primal Elements Blueberry & Marionberry landed 6th place in the Fruit Beer category, a nod to our love for innovation.
Beyond the awards, we dove headfirst into Japan’s thriving beer culture. Our Brewmaster Matt Brynildson and Emerging Markets Manager Josh Wood led seminars, swapped brewing secrets, and connected with Firestone Walker fans abroad. The takeaways? Beer is a universal language, and the craft beer community is as strong as ever.
You can get the visual rundown here, and then check our social channels for a video recap of our time there.
Arigato, Yokohama! Thanks for everything, and we’ll see you next time!