Brewers Association export program sponsor consumer tasting
Eighteen craft breweries showcased their art at the Great Japan Beer Festival in Yokohama, Japan last week through the Brewers Association (BA) Export Development Program (EDP) marking the first occasion that American craft beer had a substantial presence at the festival.
The festival proved to be a highly successful venue to introduce U.S. craft beer to interested consumers. It also enabled the BA to educate media, distributors, and Japanese brewers about the innovation taking place within the industry. Through opportunities like the Great Japan Beer Festival, the EDP is boosting interest in U.S. craft beer brands that do not yet have representation in Japan, and it’s elevating the overall image of America as a world-class beer producing country, leading international importers to expand their portfolio to American craft beer.
Craft beer sales in Japan continue to grow, although awareness of American craft beer brands available in the market is still relatively low. The BA’s presence raised awareness of these brands among attendees and gave them the opportunity to learn about the brands through importers and BA representatives alike. Two of Japan’s largest importers of American craft beer, Nagano Trading Co and EZO Beer Co, were present at the BA booth throughout the festival.
For a list of the participating brewers and more on the BA’s EDP program go here.