Japan: Major brewers stepping up production and sale of draft beer for restaurants

Major Japanese brewers are stepping up the production and sale of draft beer for use in restaurants and drinking establishments, NHK.JP reported on October 19.

They are responding to a recovery in demand as pandemic-related restrictions on serving alcohol have been eased after the expiry of the state of emergency at the end of last month.

Asahi Breweries is shipping three-and-a-half times more of its key-brand beer to businesses in October than September.

Sapporo Breweries is tripling output of draft beer in October, with a fourfold increase in November, compared to last month.

Meanwhile, Kirin Brewery is trying to sell more beer in 3-liter plastic bottles in a switch from the 7-liter kegs that used to be the preferred size for dispensers at drinking establishments.

Small restaurants are opting for the 3-liter product, because it allows them to manage inventory better and reduce waste.

They are having a hard time predicting customer numbers, as some local governments continue to urge shorter business hours, and more people are working from home.

Brewers see draft beer for commercial sale as the key pillar of their revenue as they aim to revive sales.