UK's No.1 Craft Beer Brand BREWDOG Launches New Japan-Exclusive Flagship 'GOOD BUDDY'. Nationwide Release on Tuesday, April 14th!
BREWDOG, the UK's top craft beer brand, is releasing a Japan-exclusive Session IPA called 'GOOD BUDDY' nationwide on April 14th. Designed as an approachable 'next staple' to lower the hurdle for craft beer, a portion of its sales will support dog-human coexistence activities.
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- 📰 Published: April 14, 2026 at 18:30
- 🔍 Collected: April 14, 2026 at 10:01
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: April 19, 2026 at 18:55 (128h 53m after Collected)
From the UK's No.1* craft beer brand BREWDOG comes a new Japan-exclusive flagship product, 'GOOD BUDDY'. It will be released nationwide on Tuesday, April 14th.
'GOOD BUDDY' simply means a 'good partner'.
With a dog icon radiating positive vibes, the easy-to-enjoy taste of a Session IPA without needing to brace yourself, and a friendly naming.
GOOD BUDDY serves as a new gateway into the world of craft beer, while also aiming to be the 'next staple' that stays close to your daily life.
Alongside the nationwide launch, promotions that allow you to experience the brand's worldview, such as an SNS campaign and a collaboration with Riviera Zushi Marina, will be rolled out.
Furthermore, a portion of the sales of this product is planned to be utilized for activities supporting a society where dogs and humans live together.
GOOD BUDDY Product Information
*Source: Circana UK Off Trade Value Sales 52w/e 12.10.25
GOOD BUDDY
A Session IPA characterized by a refreshing hop aroma reminiscent of citrus and a light drinking feel. The bitterness is mild, the aroma is brilliant. The aftertaste is clean.
It is marked by a dog icon that embodies positive vibes.
Package, naming, taste. Everything embodies an approachability acting as a gateway to craft beer.
It is a single bottle that balances the trust of being the UK's No.1* craft beer brand with a playful worldview.
■ Style: Session IPA
■ Alc. 4.5% 350ml
■ Reference Retail Price (Tax Included): 429 JPY
■ Sales Locations: Sold at supermarkets, liquor stores nationwide
* May not be available at some stores.
Development Background
The impression that the craft beer market in Japan is still something only for a select group of enthusiasts, or something special, remains deeply rooted.
GOOD BUDDY was born to break down that hurdle.
GOOD BUDDY is not a beer for a special day.
A drink after work, a holiday afternoon, casual time with friends.
It naturally enters your daily life, and before you know it, it's right beside you.
Not too heavy, not too light. It has character, but you don't have to brace yourself.
Enjoy the fun of craft beer more freely, more casually.
The phrase 'YOUR NEXT FAVOURITE BEER' contains the desire that it won't just mean 'what you like next,' but that it will become 'a bottle that stays close to your daily life from now on.'
GOOD BUDDY is a beer aiming to be a new 'partner' for the drinker.
Response to the Pre-release
When it was pre-released at FamilyMart stores nationwide on Tuesday, March 3rd, various responses were received on SNS.
Comments such as 'Looks like it will be a good buddy,' 'Smells great,' 'Light and easy to drink,' and 'The pop design is attractive' were seen, drawing interest in both its taste and design.
As a Brand Alongside Dogs
GOOD BUDDY plans to utilize a portion of its sales for activities supporting a society where dogs and humans can naturally live together.
For BREWDOG, a dog is not merely a motif.
A dog is family, and a partner.
That value has not changed since its founding.
BREWDOG Started with 2 People and 1 Dog
BREWDOG's beginning was in Scotland, 2007.
Two young men (James Watt and Martin Dickie) and one dog, Bracken.
Two young guys with neither funds nor fame started brewing beer in a run-down warehouse. Bracken was always by their side during the brewing work that continued late into the night.
He was not just a pet.
He was a 'co-founder' of BREWDOG, a spiritual pillar supporting them through the lonely founding period.
The name BREWDOG was born out of respect for that partner.
His presence remains at the core of the corporate culture today. BREWDOG bars around the world are dog-friendly, and employees are given a week of paid 'Pawpaternity Leave' when they welcome a new dog.
A dog is not a mascot. They are companions.
GOOD BUDDY is a bottle that delivers that origin to the Japanese market.
GOOD BUDDY X Campaign
To commemorate the nationwide release of GOOD BUDDY, a follow & repost campaign on X is being held.
10 winners by lottery.
'GOOD BUDDY' simply means a 'good partner'.
With a dog icon radiating positive vibes, the easy-to-enjoy taste of a Session IPA without needing to brace yourself, and a friendly naming.
GOOD BUDDY serves as a new gateway into the world of craft beer, while also aiming to be the 'next staple' that stays close to your daily life.
Alongside the nationwide launch, promotions that allow you to experience the brand's worldview, such as an SNS campaign and a collaboration with Riviera Zushi Marina, will be rolled out.
Furthermore, a portion of the sales of this product is planned to be utilized for activities supporting a society where dogs and humans live together.
GOOD BUDDY Product Information
*Source: Circana UK Off Trade Value Sales 52w/e 12.10.25
GOOD BUDDY
A Session IPA characterized by a refreshing hop aroma reminiscent of citrus and a light drinking feel. The bitterness is mild, the aroma is brilliant. The aftertaste is clean.
It is marked by a dog icon that embodies positive vibes.
Package, naming, taste. Everything embodies an approachability acting as a gateway to craft beer.
It is a single bottle that balances the trust of being the UK's No.1* craft beer brand with a playful worldview.
■ Style: Session IPA
■ Alc. 4.5% 350ml
■ Reference Retail Price (Tax Included): 429 JPY
■ Sales Locations: Sold at supermarkets, liquor stores nationwide
* May not be available at some stores.
Development Background
The impression that the craft beer market in Japan is still something only for a select group of enthusiasts, or something special, remains deeply rooted.
GOOD BUDDY was born to break down that hurdle.
GOOD BUDDY is not a beer for a special day.
A drink after work, a holiday afternoon, casual time with friends.
It naturally enters your daily life, and before you know it, it's right beside you.
Not too heavy, not too light. It has character, but you don't have to brace yourself.
Enjoy the fun of craft beer more freely, more casually.
The phrase 'YOUR NEXT FAVOURITE BEER' contains the desire that it won't just mean 'what you like next,' but that it will become 'a bottle that stays close to your daily life from now on.'
GOOD BUDDY is a beer aiming to be a new 'partner' for the drinker.
Response to the Pre-release
When it was pre-released at FamilyMart stores nationwide on Tuesday, March 3rd, various responses were received on SNS.
Comments such as 'Looks like it will be a good buddy,' 'Smells great,' 'Light and easy to drink,' and 'The pop design is attractive' were seen, drawing interest in both its taste and design.
As a Brand Alongside Dogs
GOOD BUDDY plans to utilize a portion of its sales for activities supporting a society where dogs and humans can naturally live together.
For BREWDOG, a dog is not merely a motif.
A dog is family, and a partner.
That value has not changed since its founding.
BREWDOG Started with 2 People and 1 Dog
BREWDOG's beginning was in Scotland, 2007.
Two young men (James Watt and Martin Dickie) and one dog, Bracken.
Two young guys with neither funds nor fame started brewing beer in a run-down warehouse. Bracken was always by their side during the brewing work that continued late into the night.
He was not just a pet.
He was a 'co-founder' of BREWDOG, a spiritual pillar supporting them through the lonely founding period.
The name BREWDOG was born out of respect for that partner.
His presence remains at the core of the corporate culture today. BREWDOG bars around the world are dog-friendly, and employees are given a week of paid 'Pawpaternity Leave' when they welcome a new dog.
A dog is not a mascot. They are companions.
GOOD BUDDY is a bottle that delivers that origin to the Japanese market.
GOOD BUDDY X Campaign
To commemorate the nationwide release of GOOD BUDDY, a follow & repost campaign on X is being held.
10 winners by lottery.