The 13th H.B.A. Junior Cocktail Competition KIRIN CUP 2026 will be held at Grand Nikko Tokyo Daiba on 2 November. Co-hosted by the Hotel Barmen's Association of Japan and Kirin Beer, the event will feature 18 bartenders aged 29 or under competing with creative cocktails. They are scheduled to present one-of-a-kind cocktails made with Kirin Japanese Whisky Fuji.
The event, announced by Kirin Holdings Company,Limited, is co-hosted with the Hotel Barmen's Association of Japan (H.B.A.) and is held every other year to develop young bartenders. This year's event aims to develop the skills of young professionals and stimulate the Western spirits market through a creative cocktail competition and tasting. The participants are 18 people who won through regional qualifying rounds nationwide and are limited to H.B.A. members aged 29 or under.
The competition theme is “A glass born from Fuji that will remain 10 years from now: When a choice becomes the philosophy of a glass.” Participants will present cocktails made with “Kirin Japanese Whisky Fuji.” Visitors will be able to enjoy original cocktails prepared by each bartender.
The event is scheduled for 2 November 2026 (Monday), from 13:30 to 17:10, at Palais Royal on the B1 floor of Grand Nikko Tokyo Daiba. Admission is ¥6,000 with advance web reservations and ¥8,000 on the day. Admission is not permitted for minors, and sales will end when 100 tickets have been sold. The event is co-hosted by H.B.A. and Kirin Beer Co., Ltd.
Inquiries should be directed to the H.B.A. head office secretariat. Information about the event's official website is also provided. The news release presents information available at the time and indicates that it may subsequently change.