Craft beer, or ji-beer, which best translates to local beer, is celebrated at Ji-Beer Fest Kofu 2015. It’s a week-long festival located at Kofu in Yamanashi, which is home to Outsider Brewing. The event in 2014 was a big success and aims to increase the awareness and knowledge of beer styles and tastes to the public.
Ji-Beer Fest Kofu 2015 starts on Friday 24th July and runs until Sunday 2nd August so you have plenty of time to try lots of local beers. The opening times for the event are weekdays from 4:30pm to 9:00pm and weekends from 11:30am to 9:00pm with last orders at 8:45pm. At the 2014 event, breweries included:
- Minoh Beer (Osaka),
- Fujizakura Beer (Yamanashi),
- Kofu Draft Beer (Yamanashi),
- Fujiyama Beer (Yamanashi),
- Gotemba Kogen Beer (Shizuoka),
- Yatsugatake Ji-Beer Touchdown (Yamanashi) and
- Outsider Brewing (Yamanashi).
The breweries for the 2015 have not been released yet but once they have been, we’ll update this post as soon as we can. If last year’s event was anything to go by, expect the Yamanashi breweries above to attend plus some others, with Minoh Beer already having confirmed they will be in attendance for it.
How to Get Tickets For Ji-Beer Fest Kofu 2015
The event uses tickets for drinks system though it is possible to buy tickets on the day. You can buy an advance book of five tickets and original glass for ¥1,500 from the 5th June at the following places:
- Lawson’s using the L-Code 31365
- Seven Elven
- Yamahi YBS Main shop
The same package on the day will cost ¥1,600 yen, while a book of five tickets for drinks will cost ¥1,000 and if you want just the original glass then it will set you back ¥600. Moreover, there are also some strange deals going on – for example, females get ¥100 off the price of an original glass when purchased on a weekday, people wearing a yukata or kimono also get ¥100 off a book of five tickets on any day, and students with valid ID also get ¥100 off a book of five tickets on any day. There isn’t any information if these deals stack up though so don’t blame us if you try and nothing happens.
How to Get to Ji-Beer Fest Kofu 2015
Ji-Beer Fest Kofu 2015 is held right outside of the north exit of JR Kofu station at the Yocchabare Square.
