A new summer-limited craft beer, "Katsushika Nombe Craft LIGHT — Katsushika Matsuri Ale," went on sale on June 2, 2026, at restaurants and event venues in Katsushika Ward, Tokyo. The beer is part of the "Katsushika Craft Culture Project," a community initiative that connects local izakayas, residents, and visitors through craft beer.
About the Katsushika Matsuri Ale
Product Name: Katsushika Nombe Craft LIGHT — Katsushika Matsuri Ale
Style: Session IPA
ABV: 4.5%
On Sale: June 2, 2026
Available Areas: Restaurants and event venues in Katsushika Ward
Availability: Summer limited
The Katsushika Matsuri Ale stands out for the light, crisp mouthfeel and clean bitterness typical of a Session IPA — a style whose name implies a beer easy enough to enjoy over a long, relaxed conversation, glass after glass. True to that spirit, the beer is designed to be approachable and refreshing.
Nelson Sauvin hops from New Zealand give the beer aromas of lychee and white grape. A well-balanced acidity rounds out the flavor profile, making it a natural pairing for izakaya-style dishes such as karaage (Japanese fried chicken) with a squeeze of lemon, grilled skewers, and spice-forward plates.
The beer is available at participating restaurants in Katsushika Ward, centered around Shinkoiwa, with distribution gradually expanding to other parts of the ward. It is also scheduled to be sold at outdoor events in Katsushika Ward in June, August, September, and October. Event details will be announced via the project's social media channels.
Why This Beer Was Made at 4.5%
The Katsushika Matsuri Ale was developed as the summer-limited product for the Katsushika Nombe Craft lineup. A key difference from the existing three products — which are all 9% ABV — is its lower alcohol content of 4.5%.
The Katsushika Nombe Craft lineup was originally developed as a high-ABV range inspired by the local culture of heavy-drinking regulars (nombe) and the "senbero" (budget drinking) scene. However, there was also a desire to bring craft beer culture to younger generations, whose preferences lean toward lower-alcohol drinks. Lowering the ABV to 4.5% also serves to differentiate the Matsuri Ale from the existing lineup.
The Beer and Upcoming Summer Events
A new outdoor event is scheduled to launch in late July, following the end of "Katsushika Nombe Hashigo-sake Yokocho 2026 in Shinkoiwa," which ran from December 2025. The Katsushika Matsuri Ale was developed to accompany this event with the concept of "a beer made for summer" — easy to drink freely under the blazing sun.
The event is also planned to include a collaboration with Minami Katsushika SC, a soccer club rooted in the Katsushika community. The club's image character is Ozora Tsubasa, the protagonist of Captain Tsubasa. In line with the club's theme color and its association with the open sky, the beer's label is designed in blue. The product also comes with the tagline: "Soar to the Skies of Katsushika — Take Wing with This Pint."
About the Katsushika Craft Culture Project
The Katsushika Craft Culture Project was launched to revive the lively drinking culture that once defined the ward. Katsushika had a vibrant, Edo-spirited atmosphere with many dedicated regulars at local izakayas, but urban redevelopment and the decline of shopping streets have gradually eroded that character.
Taiyou Ohno, owner of izakaya "Torisakaba Hikara" in Shinkoiwa, started the project to rebuild that culture in a form suited to modern tastes — creating craft beers that capture the essence of Katsushika and distributing them through the ward's restaurants. The project also involves participating in local festivals and events and amplifying the area's story through media.
Beyond its current base in Shinkoiwa, the project plans to expand gradually across all of Katsushika Ward, working toward connecting its communities and revitalizing the entire area.
