"Other Brewed Alcoholic Beverages" Are on the Rise: Deciphering the Future of the Craft Alcohol Market from the 2026 Opening Rush

Many people may feel that the classification of "Other Brewed Alcoholic Beverages" under the Liquor Tax Act has become more common recently.

A new category that is neither sake, beer, nor wine, this somewhat unfamiliar category is seeing a rapid increase in businesses challenging new brewing methods across Japan.

In this article, based on the trends in new businesses since 2026, we will offer our own analysis of the market changes behind this phenomenon.

What are "Other Brewed Alcoholic Beverages"?

"Other brewed alcoholic beverages" is one of the liquor categories defined by the Liquor Tax Act.

This category includes alcoholic beverages fermented from grains or sugars that do not fall under other classifications such as sake, beer, or fruit liquor.

Unlike sake, which is made only from rice, rice koji, and water, if auxiliary ingredients such as fruits, herbs, or hops are added and fermented, it can no longer be called "sake" under the Liquor Tax Act and is classified as "Other Brewed Alcoholic Beverages."

The recently popular "craftbrewed beverages" are precisely a new genre created by leveraging this system.

Behind this is also the fact that new sake brewing licenses have not been issued for many years.

After the war, new entrants could essentially only do so by acquiring or inheriting existing sake breweries.

On the other hand, licenses for "other brewed alcoholic beverages" have relatively lower minimum production quantity hurdles, making them a realistic option for new brewers aspiring to enter the industry.

In 2026, a surge in new businesses, with existing sake breweries as the key players

What is noteworthy is that this movement is accelerating.

Within just two months since the start of 2026, we have identified 6 businesses, including our own company, that have opened or entered the "other brewed alcoholic beverages" sector.

Even more interesting is the lineup of these businesses.

Excluding our company, many of these businesses are not new brewers, but rather existing sake breweries that have traditionally produced sake.

Up until now, the image of craft sake has been strongly associated with young brewers entering from different industries.

However, currently, sake breweries with long histories themselves are starting to venture into this new category.

Reference: From the list of new liquor manufacturing license holders, etc.

Why are existing sake breweries shifting to "Other Brewed Alcoholic Beverages"?

So, why are sake breweries deliberately shifting towards "Other Brewed Alcoholic Beverages"?

One reason is the reality that the sake market itself has been shrinking over the long term.

In a structure where many breweries share a limited market, it has become difficult to envision a future based solely on traditional approaches.

Another, more proactive reason is the view that breweries themselves are keenly sensing the "growth of the craft market."

"Other brewed alcoholic beverages," which allow for the free use of auxiliary ingredients, have the advantage of enabling the creation of unique products incorporating local fruits and herbs, making them more accessible to consumers who have not previously consumed sake.

For breweries that already possess brewing technology and facilities, this category is a highly rational way to meet new demand while minimizing risk.

However, as the sake market shrinks, there was a trend for craft gin as a new endeavor.

Gin has a somewhat loose regulation that juniper berries must be included, allowing for free creativity. It was easy for breweries producing shochu to enter this market because the equipment is almost the same, but it hasn't been talked about much recently.

It feels like the market ended before it could fully expand.

Overlap with the path taken by the craft beer market

This structure feels very similar to the path taken by craft beer.

Craft beer, which once began with challenges from small breweries, eventually entered a stage where major manufacturers also entered the market with "craft" labeled products as the market grew.

When a new genre grows to a certain size, existing large players capitalize on that trend—this is a pattern that has been repeated in many markets.

The current movement surrounding "other brewed alcoholic beverages" might be on the same trajectory.

Existing sake breweries with technology and history are following new brewers who pioneered the market.

We interpret this as a sign that the craft movement is shifting from experimental endeavors to a trend that encompasses the entire industry.

Summary: In the midst of change

I believe that the rush of new businesses in early 2026 is not merely a passing fad, but rather a sign that the very structure of the sake brewing industry has begun to shift.

Our brewery is also one of the companies born in the midst of this change.

The category of "other brewed alcoholic beverages" is precisely the "space" that allows for brewing with free ideas.

In this new field, we will deliver flavors and experiences that have not been seen in traditional Japanese alcoholic beverages.

Please look forward to future products and release information on our blog and social media.