ZAO BREWERY to Host Free Autumn Beer Festival in Yamagata
ZAO BREWERY will hold ZAO BREWERY Autumn Beer Festival 2026 on September 21 and 22 at the Yamagata Prefectural Hall event plaza. Admission is free, with an event-exclusive beer made with Yamagata-grown passion fruit, food vendors, and family-friendly entertainment planned for the two-day celebration.
Hop BroHere’s a perfect autumn story: Yamagata’s beer festival is back, hosted by ZAO BREWERY as its 2026 Autumn Beer Festival.
MugiWhat, a beer festival? And there’s an event-exclusive beer too? I need a big red circle on my calendar!
Hop BroThe star is a brew made with Yamagata passion fruit. Expect fragrant fruit character and a bright, tangy acidity.
MugiWhat does passion-fruit acidity do in beer? Is this a sourness warning situation?
Hop BroThat fruit-driven acidity can make it lively. Along with bitterness and aroma, it creates layers of flavor—not just a sweet fruit beer.
MugiOh, so it can still feel like a real beer adventure! My tongue is suddenly ready to be a tasting panel judge.
Hop BroIt runs September 21 and 22, from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. at Yamagink Kenmin Hall’s event plaza—just a three-minute walk from JR Yamagata Station’s west exit.
MugiSo close! And admission is free? My wallet is smiling before the first sip.
Hop BroThere will be food vendors, food trucks, singing, dance, street performers, and DJs. With kids’ fair games and sand art, it’s fun for families too.
MugiI also want to try their spring-water-brewed SNOW MONSTER and ZAO CLASSIC IPA! In autumn Yamagata, let’s toast with the limited brew!
Two days of beer, local flavors, and autumn entertainment
ZAO BREWERY in Yamagata City will host its annual autumn beer festival on September 21 and 22, 2026. Now in its fourth year, the event will run from 11:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. on both days at the event plaza of Yamagata Prefectural Hall. The venue is about a three-minute walk from the west exit of JR Yamagata Station, and admission is free.
The highlight will be an event-exclusive beer brewed with passion fruit grown in Yamagata Prefecture. The beer is expected to showcase the fruit’s distinctive aroma and acidity while reflecting ZAO BREWERY’s focus on expressing the character of the region through local ingredients.
A selection of popular restaurants and food trucks will also gather at the venue, offering dishes designed to pair with craft beer. The entertainment program will include a singing competition, dance performances, street performance, and DJ sets. Children can enjoy a festival area and sand art, making the event accessible to beer drinkers, families, and visitors who prefer non-alcoholic beverages alike.
ZAO BREWERY is Yamagata City’s first craft brewery. Its beers are made with spring water from the Zao area, and its adjoining Crang Dining restaurant serves dishes built around ingredients from Yamagata. The brewery’s lineup includes Snow Monster, a white ale inspired by Zao’s snow monsters; Yamagata Cherry Ale; and Zao Classic IPA.
With local produce, freshly made craft beer, and entertainment gathered in one accessible location, the festival offers an easy way to enjoy the flavors of Yamagata in early autumn.
Information may be inaccurate. Please refer to the brewery’s official channels for the latest details.
Hop BroHere’s a perfect autumn story: Yamagata’s beer festival is back, hosted by ZAO BREWERY as its 2026 Autumn Beer Festival.
MugiWhat, a beer festival? And there’s an event-exclusive beer too? I need a big red circle on my calendar!
Hop BroThe star is a brew made with Yamagata passion fruit. Expect fragrant fruit character and a bright, tangy acidity.
MugiWhat does passion-fruit acidity do in beer? Is this a sourness warning situation?
Hop BroThat fruit-driven acidity can make it lively. Along with bitterness and aroma, it creates layers of flavor—not just a sweet fruit beer.
MugiOh, so it can still feel like a real beer adventure! My tongue is suddenly ready to be a tasting panel judge.
Hop BroIt runs September 21 and 22, from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. at Yamagink Kenmin Hall’s event plaza—just a three-minute walk from JR Yamagata Station’s west exit.
MugiSo close! And admission is free? My wallet is smiling before the first sip.
Hop BroThere will be food vendors, food trucks, singing, dance, street performers, and DJs. With kids’ fair games and sand art, it’s fun for families too.
MugiI also want to try their spring-water-brewed SNOW MONSTER and ZAO CLASSIC IPA! In autumn Yamagata, let’s toast with the limited brew!
