MATSURI BREWING (Matsuri Brewing) announced in a 7:15 p.m. post on March 8 that it is now fully rolling out "Shukusai IPA," which won silver in the JBGA 2026 American-Style IPA category, for trade accounts.

In the post, the beer’s direction was described as a classic WEST COAST IPA. Its defining traits are dank hop-derived aroma, firm bitterness, and a crisp finish. Rather than simply being an "IPA that is bitter," the beer appears to be designed to stay sharp all the way through the finish.

The post also clearly positions it for use as a "standard IPA slot" and as an "entry point into craft beer." It is described as easy to put on tap thanks to its balanced profile, and easy to pair with food, suggesting a design philosophy aimed at everything from a customer’s first drink to pairing during a meal at beer bars and restaurants. The company says wholesale terms and stock availability will be handled by DM.

MATSURI BREWING is a microbrewery based in Urayasu, Chiba Prefecture, and it promotes itself with the idea of making "somewhat nostalgic, highly drinkable craft beer tied to celebratory occasions." According to its official information, it operates a brewpub with eight draft taps plus around 50 bottled beers from domestic and overseas breweries, offering a lineup that connects everyday life with special occasions. For the company, which has previously released the gold-medal-winning Banzai Red Ale, the Nadeshiko Brut IPA, and the Shukusai IPA series with recipes that change from batch to batch, this silver medal and the stronger push into trade accounts can be seen as a move that reflects the brand’s current position.

The post also mentions that other beers are being sold on BEST BEER JAPAN, and attention is likely to focus on what comes next in the expansion of sales channels centered on Shukusai IPA.