Baird Brewing

What Baird Brewing does

Baird Brewing Company is a privately held Japanese craft brewery founded in 2000 by Bryan Baird and Sayuri Baird in Numazu, Shizuoka prefecture, and operating under the trade name Baird Beer. Production is anchored at the three-hectare Shuzenji Brewery Gardens in Izu city, which houses a 6,000-liter-per-day brewhouse and serves as both production facility and destination taproom, with a wider network of roughly 10 owned Beer Station taprooms and 100-plus specialty retail stockists across Japan. The portfolio comprises 12 year-round styles and approximately 26 seasonal releases annually, organized into the Four Seasons, Monthly Style, and Fruitful Life series, and built on a deliberately traditional process stack — whole-flower hops exclusively, no filtration, floor-malted barley, decoction mashing, dry hopping, and krausening (secondary fermentation in package). Distribution is Japan-only, with no international shipping.

The company operates a multi-channel revenue model. Consumer revenue flows through DTC e-commerce at bairdbeer.com, on-premise sales at the owned Beer Station network, and a ¥10,000/year Baird Best subscription membership. Wholesale revenue comes from specialty retail stockists, branded merchandise (glassware and apparel), and Camp Baird lodging on the Shuzenji grounds. A long-running B2B OEM and private-label brewing business — including partnerships with Beer Club Popeye (since 2004), The Aldgate (since 2009), and Grip / Racines Farm to Park (since 2016) — monetizes spare capacity and produces co-branded releases with accounts such as Seijo Ishii, Grand Hyatt Tokyo, Tokyo American Club, and DEAN & DELUCA. The 2025 SUNDANCE: Black Mojo collaboration illustrates continued appetite for co-branded product extensions. The company runs no paid advertising, acknowledges limited domestic brand awareness, and competes in Shizuoka prefecture alongside 30-plus other craft breweries.

Name

Baird Brewing

Legal name

Baird Brewing Company

Website

https://bairdbeer.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2000

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Baird Brewing is a Japanese craft brewery founded in 2000, producing 12 year-round and 26 seasonal beers at its Shuzenji brewery and distributing through roughly 10 owned taprooms, 100+ stockists, DTC e-commerce, and OEM partnerships across Japan.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Craft Beer

NAICS

Breweries (31212), Breweries (312120), Beverage Manufacturing (3121)

SIC

Malt Beverages (2082), Beverages (2080), Wholesale-Beer, Wine & Distilled Alcoholic Beverages (5180)

akta.pro primary industry

Beer Brewing & Brands (CRADAIAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Brewpubs & Taprooms (On-site Beer Service) (THAFALAA), Craft Beer Bars & Taprooms (THAFAEAG), Taprooms & Brewpubs (CRANACAF)

Keywords

• Craft brewery
• Traditional brewing
• Craft beer production
• Taproom operations
• Beer distribution

Headquarters

HQ city

Shizuoka

HQ country

Japan

HQ region

Asia

Offices10 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Operations, Personnel, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Direct-to-Consumer E-commerce (Bottled Beer & Merchandise): Baird Beer sells bottled beer, mixed packs (Build Your Own 6-Pack, Brewmaster's Select 12-pack, curated sets), and branded merchandise (glasses, apparel, towels) through its Shopify-based online shop at bairdbeer.com. Orders over ¥10,000 qualify for free shipping. This is a direct-to-consumer, transactional model with no subscription requirement for standard orders.
2. Taproom & Beer Station On-Premise Sales: Baird operates 9+ company-owned Taprooms and Beer Stations across Japan (Shuzenji, Numazu, Nakameguro, Harajuku, Bashamichi, Takadanobaba, Kichijoji, Mishima, Hakuba, Gofukucho) generating revenue from draught beer sales, food service, and merchandise. Each Taproom has a distinct food concept (pizza, yakitori, BBQ, kushi-age, Tex-Mex, burgers). This is the primary on-premise sales channel and a key word-of-mouth marketing center.
3. Baird Best Membership Subscription: Annual membership priced at ¥10,000 per year, providing 10% discount on all e-shop orders, 10% off at all Taproom locations (excluding licensed Hakuba and Gofukucho Taprooms), 10% off Camp Baird stays, priority Camp Baird reservation access, and special event invitations. This generates recurring subscription revenue and drives customer loyalty.
4. Specialty Retailer Draught Beer Distribution: Baird supplies draught beer to partner specialty retailers — pubs and restaurants that dedicate multiple taps to Baird Beer. Partners benefit from preferential pricing, free glassware, and professional draught support. This represents a B2B wholesale distribution revenue stream to the on-premise channel.
5. Camp Baird Camping Revenue: Camp Baird is an on-site private campsite at the Shuzenji brewery grounds offering tent sites, auto-camp sites, cabin facilities, and trailer houses. Revenue is generated from campsite rental fees. Camp Baird campers receive a drink ticket (exchangeable for Baird Beer) upon check-in.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

Baird Brewing Company is a Japanese craft brewery founded in 2000 that produces and sells traditional craft beer (12 year-round styles plus 26 seasonal releases) brewed with whole flower hops, floor-malted barley, no filtration, and natural carbonation through secondary fermentation. The company distributes through its direct-to-consumer online shop (bairdbeer.com), 9+ company-owned Taprooms and Beer Stations across Japan, a Specialty Retailer partner network, off-premise retail stockists, and OEM/white-label brewing services for restaurants, clubs, and hotels.

Product overview

Baird Brewing Company is a Japanese craft brewery founded in 2000 in Numazu, Japan, by husband-and-wife team Bryan and Sayuri Baird. The company operates as a single unified craft beer brand offering a portfolio of 12 year-round beer styles supplemented by seasonal and limited-edition releases organized into three seasonal series (Four Seasons, Monthly Style, and Fruitful Life). Beyond beer production, Baird operates nine taproom/pubs across Japan with diverse food concepts, a campground experience (Camp Baird), an annual membership program (Baird Best), branded merchandise, and brewery tours. The company emphasizes traditional brewing methods including floor-malting, whole flower hops, no filtration, and natural carbonation through secondary fermentation. Products are sold through their e-commerce platform and physical retail locations.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Year-Round Beer Collection A core lineup of 12 flagship craft beer styles (330ml bottles) including Single Take Session Ale, Wheat King Wit, Shuzenji Heritage Helles, Numazu Lager, Rising Sun Pale Ale, Wabi-Sabi Japan Pale Ale, Red Rose Amber Ale, Angry Boy Brown Ale, Teikoku IPA, Shimaguni Stout, Kurofune Porter, and Suruga Bay Imperial IPA. Sold to individual consumers via the online shop and through retail/taproom channels across Japan.
• Seasonal Beer Collection Approximately 26 seasonally brewed craft beers per year, organized into three series: Four Seasons Series (e.g., Saison Sayuri, Yabai Yabai Strong Scotch Ale), Monthly Style Series (e.g., Morning Coffee Stout, Public House Bitter, West Coast Wheat Wine), and Fruitful Life Series (e.g., The Carpenter's Mikan Ale, Temple Garden Yuzu Ale, Second Strike Apple Ale, Smoke & Fire Habanero Stout). Sold to consumers through the online shop and taprooms.
• Brewmaster's Select 12-Pack A curated 330ml bottle set containing all 12 year-round Baird beers, priced at ¥6,650, marketed as a comprehensive introduction to the Baird Beer lineup. Also available as 6-pack RED and 6-pack BLUE variants at ¥3,300 each.
• Build Your Own 6-Pack A customizable 6-pack option allowing customers to select any 6 beers of their choice from the available Baird inventory at unit pricing of ¥550-¥700 per 330ml bottle.
• SUNDANCE: Black Mojo Online store exclusive collaboration beer produced with Sundance, a 6.0% ABV meticulously crafted black beer sold as a 6-pack for ¥7,920. The product is not eligible for any discounts and emphasizes unfiltered, live-yeast craft brewing.
• Baird Branded Merchandise Baird Beer branded merchandise including glassware (400ml Munique-style ¥2,000; 330ml Bologna-style ¥1,800; 250ml Willi-style ¥1,500), Baird Logo Tenugui towel (¥500), Baird Beer Beanie (¥4,000), and BB Towel (¥500). Sold direct-to-consumer via the online shop.
• Baird Best Annual Membership Annual subscription membership priced at ¥10,000/year that delivers 10% discounts on e-shop orders, 10% off at Baird Taprooms (excluding licensed Hakuba and Gofukucho Taprooms), 10% off Camp Baird stays, priority Camp Baird reservation access (one month earlier than the general public), and exclusive event invitations.
• Camp Baird On-site private campsite at Baird Brewery Gardens Shuzenji offering tent sites, auto-camp sites, cabins, and trailer houses. Each adult camper receives a drink ticket exchangeable for Baird Beer upon check-in. Includes campfire areas, grilling space, and on-site Baird Beer dispense stations.
• Brewery Tours Guided 30-minute tours of Baird Brewery Gardens Shuzenji held every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday at 14:00, including up-close inspection of brewing equipment and ingredients. Priced at ¥500 per person, with advance reservation required for English-language tours.

Quantifiable outcome

• Baird's Specialty Retailer partners report customers eagerly awaiting specific beer releases, expressing delight at the unique flavor profiles (e.g., 'That's delicious. This is the flavor I wanted!')
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers14 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature7 records

Partnerships

14 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• SundancecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Sundance (known for its pursuit of authenticity in the Harley-Davidson world) collaborated with Baird Brewing to produce SUNDANCE: Black Mojo — a meticulously crafted black beer (6.0% ABV) released as an online store exclusive. The collaboration is driven by a shared spirit of painstaking craftsmanship, with Sundance's Zak commenting on the unfiltered, live-yeast craft beer. The product is not eligible for any discounts and is packaged in eco-friendly format.
• Seijo Ishii (成城石井)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPremium supermarket chain Seijo Ishii collaborated with Baird on Pink Guava IPA — a limited edition co-branded beer released through Seijo Ishii's pink guava fair. This was the first-ever collaboration between Baird and Seijo Ishii.
• Beer Club Popeye (麦酒倶楽部ポパイ)coreOEM/ Whitelabel/ Licensing PartnerBaird has been brewing the Devil Bump III IBA (India Black Ale) for Beer Club Popeye since March 2004 — one of the oldest OEM relationships. The IBA style was rare in Japan at the time. The beer was created for a Popeye event and has been continuously brewed ever since, becoming a beloved staple on their menu.
• The AldgateminorOEM/ Whitelabel/ Licensing PartnerLong-established English pub in Shibuya Center Gai, Tokyo. Baird has brewed Jack The Ripper IPA for The Aldgate since 2009, named for the sharp and dry IPA character the pub sought.
• Grip / Racines Farm to ParkminorOEM/ Whitelabel/ Licensing PartnerStylish Italian restaurant and park restaurant in South Ikebukuro. Baird produces Rich Island Beer — a refreshing pale ale suited for outdoor drinking, since 2016. The concept of using quality ingredients aligns with Baird's philosophy.
• Tokyo Gyoza Stand / 大衆ギョーザスタンドminorOEM/ Whitelabel/ Licensing PartnerGyoza restaurant chain. Baird produces Oolong Tea Beer (ウーロンエール) — a slightly concentrated brown ale brewed with oolong tea leaves, designed to pair with gyoza and served over ice. Brewed since 2019.
• Tokyo American ClubminorOEM/ Whitelabel/ Licensing PartnerMember-only club in Tokyo. Baird produces an original IPA for the club's restaurant and bar. Access is limited to club members.
• Niconico Chokaigi (ニコニコ超会議)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMajor annual event in Japan (100,000+ attendees) featuring Zun (Tōhō Project) beer. Baird has supplied the Zun beer for the event since 2012, making it the longest-running booth collaboration at Niconico Chokaigi. The beer is sometimes subtitled 'Hiroyuki added' (ひろゆきを添えて).
• Tir Nan OgcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorLong-standing specialty retailer partner in Hamamatsu. Founded by Yoshi-san, this craft beer pub has been a Baird partner for 16+ years. Yoshi-san recently transferred ownership to longtime employees to ensure the business continues serving Baird Beer for years to come. Celebrated its 16th anniversary in May 2026.
• Gofukucho Taproom / Beer YokotacoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorOwned and operated by Yokoto Fumitake (Yoko-chan), Baird's first full-time employee. Originally opened as Beer Yokota in April 2010; transitioned to Gofukucho Taproom in March 2020 as a licensed Baird Taproom. Located in Shizuoka city, the pub features 16 draught Baird Beer taps plus a showcase fridge of seasonal bottles. Yoko-chan was also instrumental in establishing the Nakameguro Taproom.
• Yami yo Dana (闇よ棚)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorA cozy izakaya-style pub in Shizuoka, run by Kojima-san, a former Baird shipping department employee. The pub serves Baird Beer alongside Japanese sake, featuring nostalgic atmosphere and carefully curated food. Kojima-san has a talent for finding excellent sake and quality ingredients.
• Lonestar (Osaka)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCraft beer pub in Osaka offering over 30 different Baird beers across seasons. Listed as a Baird Specialty Retailer partner. Customers eagerly await certain beer releases and express delight at the unique flavor profiles.
• OrenchiminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorListed as a Baird Specialty Retailer partner on the Baird Beer Specialty Retailer page.
• Hatchobori GardenminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorListed as a Baird Specialty Retailer partner. Baird Brewing helped make their dreams come true with malt-hop harmony and professional quality assurance support.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Sankt Gallen Brewery: Sankt Gallen Brewery is a long-established Japanese craft brewery producing diverse year-round and seasonal beers with on-premise taproom operations. Directly comparable to Baird in craft brewing scale, multi-channel distribution, and authentic positioning.
• Coedo Brewery: Coedo Brewery is a Japanese craft brewery producing diverse beer styles with strong international export presence and a focus on Japanese cultural identity in branding. Comparable to Baird in craft scale, traditional brewing emphasis, and brand-led positioning.
• Kiuchi Brewery (Hitachino Nest): Kiuchi Brewery is one of Japan's pioneering craft breweries (founded 1823, with Hitachino Nest craft beer brand launched 1996). It operates as a direct peer to Baird: Japanese craft brewery producing diverse beer styles, running taprooms/brewpubs, and building international brand recognition through authenticity-driven positioning.
• Yo-Ho Brewing Company: Yo-Ho Brewing is a leading Japanese craft brewery operating from Nagano, producing diverse year-round and seasonal craft beers with strong DTC e-commerce and taproom presence. Direct peer to Baird with comparable scale, multi-channel strategy, and authentic brewing positioning.

Broad incumbents

• Stone Brewing: Stone Brewing is a major US craft brewery operating large-scale production with extensive on-premise/dining facilities and sustainability initiatives. Comparable to Baird as a craft brewery with strong brand identity, traditional brewing ethos, and experiential destinations, but at substantially larger scale.
• Sapporo Breweries: Sapporo is one of Japan's largest beer producers operating at industrial scale with extensive domestic and international distribution. Broad incumbent competing in the same Japanese beer market with retail/draught presence across the country, against which Baird's craft differentiation is positioned.
• Sierra Nevada Brewing Co. Sierra Nevada is one of America's largest independent craft breweries, operating large-scale production with sustainability leadership and a taproom/restaurant presence. Comparable to Baird as a craft pioneer with traditional brewing emphasis, sustainability operations, and on-premise experience layer, but at far greater scale.
• Asahi Breweries: Asahi is one of Japan's largest beer conglomerates, producing mainstream lagers and increasingly investing in craft segments. Broad incumbent operating in the same Japanese beer market, with overlapping distribution channels and major retail/draught presence that competes with Baird for shelf space and tap lines.
• Brooklyn Brewery: Brooklyn Brewery is a globally recognized craft brewery operating large-scale production with broad distribution and experiential bar/brewpub presence. Comparable to Baird as a craft pioneer with strong brand, multi-channel distribution, and taproom culture, but at substantially larger scale.

Emerging players

• Shonan Beer (Taikokobo): Shonan Beer is a Japanese craft brewery operating in the Shonan/Kanagawa region with taproom presence. Comparable to Baird as a domestic Japanese craft brewer with regional focus and authentic craft positioning, though smaller in scale.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/BairdBrewing
• Instagraminstagram.com/bairdbrewing
• Xx.com/bairdbeer
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/baird-beer

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Baird Brewing