Sankt Gallen Brewery, based in Atsugi, Kanagawa, has shared an update on its highly requested “Long Cat Mug” glasses ahead of the 2026 Oktoberfest season.

Preparation began in spring, and 20,000 mugs—double last year’s production—were made in Germany. Although the mugs themselves are complete, shipping delays linked to overseas conditions and recent weather meant they had not yet arrived in Japan at the time of the announcement. The brewery team is continuing event preparations while closely watching whether the shipment will arrive in time.

Scheduled events

The Long Cat Mugs are scheduled to be used at two events:

- Atsugi Oktoberfest 2026: September 18–27 at Atsugi Central Park
- Yokohama Oktoberfest 2026: September 18–October 4 at Yokohama Red Brick Warehouse

Both events will take place earlier than usual, so visitors should check the dates carefully.

Both venues will use a glass-deposit system. Customers will pay a refundable deposit in addition to the beer price when ordering, and the deposit will be returned when the glass is brought back. The cat mugs are loaned glasses, and taking them home is not officially permitted. Because exchange rates and other costs have increased, the deposit for a cat mug is expected to be higher than for standard mugs. Further details, including the exact deposit and serving arrangements, will be announced later.

The Long Cat Mug is an event-only glass known for its distinctive design, which appears to show a cat being lifted by its body. The cat motif also connects with the traditional “brewery cat” culture: cats were historically kept at breweries and distilleries to protect malt from rodents and birds. At Sankt Gallen, the story began with a black cat rescued near the brewery’s drainage channel.

Sankt Gallen began brewing in the United States before small-scale beer production was legalized in Japan, helping pave the way for Japan’s craft beer movement. The Atsugi brewery is known for aromatic ales ranging from core beers to seasonal fruit-focused releases. At this autumn’s beer festivals, the beer itself—and the chance to enjoy it in a distinctive cat-themed glass—will both be worth watching.