Beer Hall Day (Biyahōru no Hi)

What Is Beer Hall Day?

August 4th is Beer Hall Day (Biyahoru no Hi) in Japan. On August 4, 1899 (Meiji 32), Nippon Beer Brewery Co., Ltd. — a predecessor of Sapporo Breweries — opened the Ebisu Beer Hall (恵比壽ビヤホール) in Ginza, Tokyo, near Shinbashi bridge. It is regarded as Japan's first "beer hall," and Sapporo Lion Ltd. established this day to mark the opening date of that first hall, hoping more people would enjoy the bright, friendly atmosphere of beer halls.

The Birth of Japan's Beer Hall Culture

During the Meiji era, Japan was rapidly modernising and opening itself to Western culture. Beer brewing began in the late Edo and early Meiji periods, mainly for foreigners living in Japan, and gradually spread to Japanese drinkers.

• Brewing's beginnings: In the early Meiji era, beer was brewed in Yokohama's foreign settlement, and the Spring Valley Brewery, opened around 1870 by American William Copeland, is known as one of the pioneers of brewing in Japan.
• The rise of Japan's brewers: Starting with the Hokkaido Development Commission's brewery in 1876, breweries and companies that led to today's Sapporo, Kirin, and Asahi were founded through the 1880s.
• What made the beer hall new: The Ebisu Beer Hall became popular as a place to casually enjoy draft beer poured from the keg, and it pioneered the culture of people gathering to drink beer together.

The Evolution of Beer Culture in Japan

• Beer gardens: In the Showa era, beer gardens appeared on the rooftops of city buildings and department stores and became a summer tradition.
• Into the home: During the postwar economic boom, bottled and canned beer spread into households, and "kanpai with beer" became part of everyday life.
• The craft beer movement: A 1994 revision of Japan's Liquor Tax Law lowered the minimum annual production required for a beer brewing licence, leading to the birth of "ji-biru" (local beers). Today there are many craft breweries across Japan.

Fascinating Facts About Beer Hall Day

• The "Yebisu" spelling: The character ヱ in "ヱビス" is an old katakana form now read as "e." Ebisu is one of the Seven Lucky Gods.
• Lager vs. ale: Beer divides broadly into lager (bottom-fermented) and ale (top-fermented). Most beer from Japan's major brewers is pilsner, a type of lager.
• The role of foam: Beer foam is said to act as a "lid" that keeps carbonation in and protects the flavor from air. A ratio of 7 parts beer to 3 parts foam is often cited as ideal.
• Hops and malt: Beer's bitterness and aroma come mainly from hops, and its sweetness and color mainly from malt. The balance between the two defines a beer's character.
• "Biya" not "Bia": Both the name of the day and the name of the first hall use the spelling "biyahoru."

Tips for Marking This Day

• End a hot summer day with an ice-cold draft beer at a beer hall and enjoy a culture dating back to the Meiji era.
• Visit a local craft brewery and try a tasting flight of different styles.
• Gather with friends or colleagues at a beer hall or beer garden and enjoy the conversation.
• If you don't drink alcohol, a non-alcoholic beer is a great way to join the toast. And never drink and drive.

A Culture of Kanpai That Began in Meiji-Era Ginza

Beer Hall Day connects us to the moment when people in the Meiji era first enjoyed draft beer at a beer hall. What began in one corner of Ginza has spread across Japan into a food culture that brings people together with a single "kanpai!" Today, think of that history as you enjoy a well-chilled glass.