The clock is ticking. In just a few more weeks, we will send our first shipment of beer to America, something that is both exhilarating and quite honestly, a little overwhelming.
Since we started brewing beer in 1997, we have always had a dream in the backs of our minds to someday sell our beer in the US. And now, 13 years later, our wish is coming true. All the time and attention we have given our beer and beer making—almost as much our children!—has now given us a chance to see just how good our beer is when it is stacked against some pretty stiff competition in America.
A long time ago, I set a personal goal to brew a world-caliber beer. Although at that time, my family’s company had over 400 years of history, I knew that those 400+ years wouldn’t amount to much credit on a world stage. Let’s face it, even though Japan has the second largest economy in the world, we really aren’t known as part of the world’s beer brewing elite. And not only that, I’m from Ise City—a town with a lot to offer but certainly not a cosmopolitan capital known to many outside Japan.
When I started this brewing business, I was in my mid-20s, full of confidence and raw excitement about our new adventure. I didn’t think my goal of brewing world-class beer was too ambitious, in fact, I almost felt it was my obligation as the new head of my family’s business. Yet, I couldn’t clearly see the path that I now find myself on. I knew the “whats” I just didn’t know the “hows” of how it would play out.
However, after winning two gold and two bronze medals at the 2003 Australian International Beer Awards in Melbourne, one of our goals was met. Much like the North Star guides a sailor, the AIB gave us added (if you can believe it) enthusiasm, it made us work even harder than before to make our beer better and better.
Even though other Japanese microbreweries had won international medals in the past, the reality was that many came and went, we knew then and know now that the medals, as sweet as they are to get, aren’t the most important part of our journey. We want to brew beer that is recognized by not only beer judges but by beer lovers around the world.
So, now are beers will be sold in America. One more dream will be realized and another dream will be put to the test. Can we make it in America? Can we compete? Stay tuned for I will update in the coming months.
As for dreams already realized, our customer’s encouragement has been at times, simply overwhelming. We can’t fully express our appreciation and thanks for all the people who have supported us year in and year out. But, one thing we can do is this: We promise to keep working hard and giving our full attention and hearts to a dream started long ago.
Narihiro Suzuki
