Otaru Beer opened its doors for the first time on July 15th, 1995.  During the mid to late-1990's Japan saw many new breweries open through out the country.  Something similar happened at one point in the middle of the Meiji Era.  At that time there were supposedly 150 beer breweries throughout Japan.  Now again, some 115 years later, a renaissance of beer culture in Japan has begun.

Beginnings of a Fan Club

In 1997, a group of Otaru Beer Fans began talking about the idea of there being a Fan Club.  So in July, 1996 Otaru Began its first Beer Club at Otaru Soko No. 1.  These fans, most of them were in their 30's or 40's came together and began meeting at the Otaru Beer Stammtisch.  Later on the meetings become a little more organized and a monthly day and time was determined.  Many of the members brought their own beer mugs and Otaru Beer provided a place for the mugs to be kept.  This was the start of the Otaru Beer Club which now meets on the Second Wednesday of every month.  The pub serves up some traditional German food to go with the season and Mr. Braun discusses traditional beer culture with all the members.

Sapporo and Zenibako Clubs...

Later on after the Brewery in Zenibako was opened, a similar thing occurred in Sapporo and in Zenibako.  Now the Sapporo Branch of the Otaru Beer club meets on the fourth Friday and the following Friday every month at Leibspeise, located in the TV Tower in Sapporo.  And four times a year there is a seasonal tour which occurs at the Zenibako Brewery corresponding to the special seasonal beers put out by Otaru Beer.  For more information click on the menu link to the left.