Nikko Brewing Announces Participation in Tochigi Jimoto no Sake de Kanpai Festa 2026
Nikko Brewing said on Instagram that it will join Tochigi Jimoto no Sake de Kanpai Festa 2026 on July 10 and 11 at Orion Square in Utsunomiya. The two-day event brings together local sake, craft beer, wine, food, and music.
Hop BroUtsunomiya is going to be lively this weekend. Nikko Brewing is joining Cheers Festa 2026 at Orion Square on July 10 and 11.
MugiWhat! So this is a local booze roundup? Craft beer alone would be fun, and now it's a full-on festival!
Hop BroExactly. There’ll be 30 sake breweries, 11 craft beer makers, 4 wineries, plus food booths using Tochigi ingredients. It’s basically a prefecture all-star lineup.
MugiNo way! But I’m most curious about Nikko Brewing. THE NIKKO MONKEYS sounds tough and adorable at the same time!
Hop BroThey’re a brewery in Kiwadajima, Nikko, and that brand’s regular offerings include lagers and pale ales. The water from Oku-Nikko is a big part of the appeal.
MugiWhoa, hold on, house-cultured yeast? What is that? This suddenly got very science-lab!
Hop BroIt means they grow and use their own yeast. That makes it easier to shape fermentation and aroma, so it’s basically the heart of flavor character building.
MugiOhhh, so the water is from Oku-Nikko and the yeast is their own. That sounds like drinking Nikko’s whole personality!
Hop BroAnd on the 10th there’s a mass toast around 7:12 p.m., on the 11th there’s a collab with Miya Sunset Jazz, and there’s even a special train from Asakusa. That’s way too many reasons to go drink.
MugiJazz, Nikko Brewing beer, and Tochigi food? Perfect. Now I seriously want a glass right now!
A local drinks event in Utsunomiya
On July 8, Nikko Brewing posted on Instagram that it will take part in Tochigi Jimoto no Sake de Kanpai Festa 2026, scheduled for July 10 and 11 at Orion Square in Utsunomiya. According to the post, the event will bring together 30 sake breweries, 11 craft beer producers, and four wineries from within Tochigi, along with food booths featuring local ingredients.
An all-site toast on July 10
On the opening day, July 10, guests including the governor and event organizers are set to appear on stage, with an all-site toast planned for around 7:12 p.m. The second day, July 11, is being held in collaboration with Miya Sunset Jazz, offering jazz and fusion performances alongside local drinks. A special train service, Jizake Ressha Sarasara-go, will also run from Asakusa to Tobu-Utsunomiya Station, helping connect visitors from the Tokyo area.
Nikko Brewing’s background
Nikko Brewing is based in Kiwadashima, Nikko City, Tochigi. Its official website presents the brewery under the THE NIKKO MONKEYS name and says the beer is brewed with self-cultured yeast and water from Oku-Nikko. The lineup includes core beers such as a lager and a pale ale, reflecting the brewery’s focus on straightforward, drinkable styles. By joining this large Tochigi-wide festival, Nikko Brewing is extending its Nikko-based beer culture into a broader regional celebration.
Information may be inaccurate. Please refer to the brewery’s official channels for the latest details.
Hop BroUtsunomiya is going to be lively this weekend. Nikko Brewing is joining Cheers Festa 2026 at Orion Square on July 10 and 11.
MugiWhat! So this is a local booze roundup? Craft beer alone would be fun, and now it's a full-on festival!
Hop BroExactly. There’ll be 30 sake breweries, 11 craft beer makers, 4 wineries, plus food booths using Tochigi ingredients. It’s basically a prefecture all-star lineup.
MugiNo way! But I’m most curious about Nikko Brewing. THE NIKKO MONKEYS sounds tough and adorable at the same time!
Hop BroThey’re a brewery in Kiwadajima, Nikko, and that brand’s regular offerings include lagers and pale ales. The water from Oku-Nikko is a big part of the appeal.
MugiWhoa, hold on, house-cultured yeast? What is that? This suddenly got very science-lab!
Hop BroIt means they grow and use their own yeast. That makes it easier to shape fermentation and aroma, so it’s basically the heart of flavor character building.
MugiOhhh, so the water is from Oku-Nikko and the yeast is their own. That sounds like drinking Nikko’s whole personality!
Hop BroAnd on the 10th there’s a mass toast around 7:12 p.m., on the 11th there’s a collab with Miya Sunset Jazz, and there’s even a special train from Asakusa. That’s way too many reasons to go drink.
MugiJazz, Nikko Brewing beer, and Tochigi food? Perfect. Now I seriously want a glass right now!
