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BCOJ
 
Japanese
 
     
  1. Background and Establishment of Brewery Convention of Japan (BCOJ)
2. Objectives
3. Organization and Board of Directors
4. Mission of the BCOJ Committees
5. Main Activities to Date
6. Relationship with Foreign and Domestic Organizations
7. Annual Meeting
 
 
  1. Background of and Establishment of Brewery Convention of Japan (BCOJ)  
  The American Society of Brewing Chemists (ASBC) and European Brewery Convention (EBC) were established in the United States and Europe, respectively, for the purpose of standardizing beer analysis methods. The analysis methods adopted by these organizations are still recognized as authoritative throughout the beer industry. In the past, there was no corresponding organization in Japan. Since the early 1980's, however, Japan's beer specialists steadily improved their level of technical know-how. As the result, Japan gained international recognition for its high standard of beer brewing technology, and both ASBC and EBC expressed a keen interest in the establishment of formal ties with the Japanese organization specializing in the beer brewing. American and European interest in Japanese breweries was the impetus for the industry in this country to work together and standardize the beer analysis methods. In 1982, as part of the general trend toward closer mutual communication, a specialist committee, named the "Board Meeting," was established within the Brewers Association of Japan (BAJ). This marked the beginning of a process toward the standardization of beer analysis methods and led to the 1990 publication of the "Methods of Analysis of BAJ." Following this, the Board Meeting strengthened its international activities, beginning with the reorganization of the BCOJ in 1992, and it continued to maintain active business relationships with international brewing organizations.  
 
  2. Objectives  
 

(1)

To standardize analytical methods for the evaluation of materials and products adopted in beer brewing and other related industries.

(2)

To facilitate scientific and technological research through mutual communication among beer brewing industry specialists.

(3)

To work in collaboration with other foreign and domestic organizations having the same objectives.

 
 
  3. Organization and Board of Directors  
  BCOJ was established within the BAJ, the latter consisting of Japan's five major breweries, Kirin Brewery Company, Limited, ASAHI BREWERIES, LTD., SAPPORO BREWERIES LTD. SUNTORY LIQUORS LIMITED., and ORION BREWERIES, LTD.
The BCOJ comprises the board of directors, secretariat, analysis committee, and program committee.
 
Brewers Association of Japan
Board of Directors (as of April, 2013)
President: Akihito Yokoyama (Kirin Brewery Company, Limited)
Board of Directors: Masayuki Aizawa (ASAHI BREWERIES, LTD.)
  Kaneo Oka (SUNTORY LIQUORS LIMITED)
  Tatsuro Shigyo (SAPPORO BREWERIES LTD.)
  Masayoshi Kinjo (ORION BREWERIES, LTD.)
Analysis Committee Chair: Shigeki Furusho (SAPPORO BREWERIES LTD.)
Program Committee Chair: Taichi Maruhashi (SUNTORY LIQUORS LIMITED)
Brewers Association of Japan: Manabu Yoshida
  Kazuhiko Shimada
  Masaaki Hachisuka
Secretariat: Shigehiro Yoshizaki (Kirin Company, Limited)
 
  4. Mission of the BCOJ Committees  
 
a. Board of Directors
Formulation of annual plans.
Resolution of the draft budget.
Endorsement of activity policies recommended by each committee.
Evaluation and resolution of other important matters.
b. Secretariat
Support for the smooth operation of the board of directors' activities.
Planning and administration of the annual budget in line with board of directors' activities.
Activities to promote exchanges with overseas beer brewing organizations.
c. Analysis Committee
Organization and development of analysis methods (domestic collaborative work).
Activities relating to establishing the "International Methods" with the ASBC and EBC.
Participation in international collaborative work.
d. Program Committee
Planning and implementation of the annual meeting.
At the annual meeting, BCOJ members’ oral and poster presentations at ASBC, EBC, and other conferences are presented again, in English.
Planning and implementation of lectures and meetings.
Planning and facilitation of cooperative research.
 
 
  5. Main Activities to Date  
 
Execution of the BCOJ collaborative work (1986–).
Publication of the Annual Report (1989–).
Publication of "Methods of Analysis of BAJ" (1990).
Participation in the ASBC and EBC collaborative work (1990–).
Holding of the annual meeting (1991–).
Publication of "Methods of Analysis of BCOJ" (1996).
Publication of "Methods of Analysis of BCOJ (Revised Edition) " (1998).
Participation in the International Subcommittee for Isomerized Hop Alpha Acid Standards (1998–).
pdf press release 112KB
Publication of "BCOJ Microbiology Methods" (1999).
Writing the manuscripts for the beer-related section of "The Constituents of Brewing Products (Revised Edition) " (1999).
Publication of "BCOJ Sensory Analysis Methods" (2002).
Publication of "Brewing and Packaging" (2002).
Publication of "BCOJ Microbiology Methods (Revised Edition) " (2004).
Publication of "Methods of Analysis of BCOJ (Revised Edition) " (2004).
Cooperative research on beer flavor with Prof. Tohara of the University of Tokyo (2008–)
Foundation of the BCOJ contribution award (2011–).
 
     

BCOJ Microbiology Methods

Methods of Analysis of BCOJ
BCOJ Sensory Analysis Methods
Brewing and Packaging
BCOJ Microbiology Methods
Methods of Analysis of BCOJ(Revised Edition)
BCOJ Sensory Analysis Methods
Brewing and Packaging
BCOJ Annual Report

 
  6.  Relationship with Foreign and Domestic Organizations  
  Relationship between ASBC and BCOJ
In 1983, an official technical liaison contract was signed between ASBC and BAJ. Under this liaison contract, the two signing parties agreed to exchange annual reports and conference minutes. Following this, in 1998, a Cooperative Agreement was established between BCOJ and ASBC. Under this agreement, these two organizations agreed to provide "Mutual invitations to the Board Chairpersons and Analysis Committee Chairpersons for Annual Meeting". BCOJ also participated in the World Brewing Congress (WBC) that is conducted by ASBC and the Master Brewers Association of Americas (MBAA) every four years. During the WBC 2008, BCOJ has held a symposium entitled "Japanese Advanced Technologies" and a workshop on "The Design of Asian Beer Styles". During the WBC2012, BCOJ also held a symposium on "Technology for the Future".

Relationship between EBC and BCOJ
In the past, before the official agreement to formalize their relationship, EBC and BOCJ had exchanged annual reports and conference minutes on a voluntary basis. In May 2001, both these organizations signed "A Declaration of Partnership" in order to advance their mutual relationship. In November 2003, Mr. Vesely, EBC President, and Ms. Wijngaarden, Secretary General of EBC, participated as guests at the BCOJ annual meeting. In 2011, during the 33rd EBC congress in Glasgow, Scotland, a representative of each organization renewed their declaration of partnership.

Efforts to establish an International Method (IM) made through EBC and ASBC cooperation
In 2006, to establish an internationally standardized analytical method, the agreement for an IM were signed between EBC, ASBC, and BCOJ. This agreement stipulated that in the event of an existing method where one or both of the organizations conduct their own trials using this method and if the results are acceptable, the method used shall be recognized as IM. It also stipulated that in the event of a new method where two or more of the organizations participate in the same collaborative trial and if at least two participating organizations accept the results, this method shall be accepted as IM. Co-participating organizations must provide results from at least two laboratories in order to qualify as co-owners of the joint venture.

Relationships with Japanese local craft breweries
In April 1994, the legal minimum manufactured quantity of beer decreased from 2,000KL/year to 60KL/year, which resulted in the emergence of small craft breweries. In July 1995, the "Japanese Craft Beer Association" and the "Japan Microbrewers Association" were organized. In March 1999, the "Japan Brewers Association," comprising 121 companies, which represented about half of the craft breweries, was established. BAJ (including BCOJ) has no direct relationship whatever with the Japan Brewers Association. However, the BCOJ published a number of documents such as the "Methods of Analysis of BCOJ" and the "BCOJ Microbiology Methods" in accordance with requests from the National Tax Bureau(s) and Public Health Center(s). These publications have largely contributed to the advancement of management technology of not only BCOJ member breweries, but also of the local craft breweries.
 
 
  7. Annual Meeting  
 
Schedule
 
  The 23rd BCOJ annual meeting 2013, November 7th and 8th, 2013
Site
 
  Seiryo Kaikan
2-16-2, Nagatacho, Chiyodaku, Tokyo
TEL/ +81-3-3581-5650

BCOJ Annual Meeting Program