#Japan #Craft Beer #Shinjuku #Sanbou BAR #Kenji Araya

Craft Your Own Beer: An Immersive Experience at Sanbou BAR

On September 17, 2026, starting at 19:00, Sanbou BAR in Shinjuku, Tokyo, will host an exciting event titled "Gathering for Those Who Want to Create Craft Beer! Original Beer Development Meeting Starting with Tasting." This gathering, organized by Kenji Araya's consulting company, will provide attendees the opportunity to explore the world of craft beer through tasting and practical learning experiences.

What to Expect from the Event

The event will kick off with a tasting of 10 to 15 different styles of craft beer, allowing participants to discover which flavor profiles resonate with their own brands. By engaging with different beer styles, attendees can start to articulate their own preferences and potential direction for their original creations. Following the tasting, a comprehensive discussion will cover topics such as OEM (contract brewing), including batch sizes, production costs, timelines, labeling requirements, and marketing strategies post-production.

Overcoming Common Barriers

Many aspiring brewers face common obstacles when considering launching their own beer. Concerns such as needing a brewing license, high minimum production quantities, unclear costs, and uncertainty about flavor direction often deter them. However, this event will clarify that with OEM, no brewing license is necessary, and production can start at surprisingly small scales, typically taking just 2 to 3 months from recipe design to delivery.

Kenji Araya's motivation for hosting this event stems from frequent requests from business owners seeking to create original branded beers for anniversaries, corporate gifts, or as signature items for their businesses. By attending this event, participants will gain a firsthand experience of the process, enabling informed decision-making about crafting their unique beers.

Seminar Highlights

• - Enjoy the Tasting: Unlike typical seminars, this one begins with an extensive tasting session, providing a hands-on introduction to the diverse flavors of craft beer.
• - Articulating Flavor Profiles: Participants will engage in a workshop to translate their tasting experiences into descriptions that guide their brewing choices, whether leaning towards the hoppiness of an IPA or the smoothness of a Weizen.
• - Real-World Insights: Expert insights will be shared regarding the practical aspects of brewing—minimum order quantities, production costs, regulatory requirements, and market strategies will all be covered in a genuine, informative manner.
• - Welcoming Environment: Open to everyone, the seminar is designed especially for those who may have not decided on their direction yet, as it will provide valuable insights regardless of their prior knowledge.
• - Collaboration with Craft Beer 100: The event is supported by Craft Beer 100, a specialist store with a rotating selection of over 100 craft beers from around the world.

What You Will Take Away

Participants will leave equipped with:

• - A comprehensive understanding of major craft beer styles and aligning flavors suitable for their brand.
• - Insights into choosing OEM providers effectively.
• - An overview of the full process, from recipe formulation to delivery timelines.
• - Realistic market insights including minimum order quantities, per-unit costs, initial investments, and essential labeling specifications.

Event Details

• - Date and Time: September 17, 2026, from 19:00 to 21:00
• - Agenda: 19:00 - Opening and Cheers, 19:10 - Beer Tasting and Flavor Workshop, 19:40 - Lecture and Q&A on Practical Brewing Aspects, 20:30 - Networking
• - Location: Sanbou BAR Shinjuku, 3-15-11 Shinjuku, Adhoc Shinjuku Building, 5F, Tokyo 160-0022. Location map
• - Participation Fee: 6,000 yen (includes tasting 10-15 craft beers) payable on-site (cashless payments), with additional payment required for any food ordered.
• - Target Audience: Open to everyone, whether business owners or general attendees; solo participation is encouraged!

About Sanbou BAR

Sanbou BAR is more than just a bar. It serves as a networking hub where business people, creators, and entrepreneurs come together to share ideas, support one another, and drive collaboration—all over a glass of quality beer.

For registration and more information, visit: Event Registration