YOHO Brewing Develops “Wobbly Beer Glass by Yona Yona Ale”

YOHO Brewing Co., Ltd. (Karuizawa, Nagano Prefecture), a craft beer company known for flagship brands such as "Yona Yona Ale," has launched the "Wobbly Beer Glass by Yona Yona Ale" (hereafter "Wobbly Beer Glass")—a glass that falls over if you drink only beer—as part of its awareness campaign for responsible drinking.
It is a U-shaped beer glass designed to lose its balance and tip over if you only drink beer from it. During the summer, when beer consumption rises, the company aims to promote the habit of drinking water alongside alcohol through this unique glass.
Pre-orders will begin on Wednesday, August 5, 2026, on the official online store "Yona Yona no Sato." The glass will also be available to experience starting August 5 at approximately 30 beer bars and restaurants nationwide, including the official beer restaurant "YONA YONA BEER WORKS Shintora-dori Branch." Additionally, it will be offered at the JAL Sakura Lounge at Chubu Centrair International Airport.

Drinking Habits Survey: Conducted among 636 respondents with regular drinking habits*

Key Finding 1： Over 70% aware of alcohol-induced dehydration

When asked if they were aware of the fact that drinking alcohol makes one prone to dehydration, 75.6% of the 636 respondents with regular drinking habits answered 〝yes”. The results revealed that three out of four regular drinkers are aware of the risk of alcohol-induced dehydration.

Key Finding 2: "Drinking water" ranks high among practices for responsible drinking

When asked what habits they practice for 'responsible drinking' (moderate drinking that avoids health risks and inconvenience to others), 'drinking water after alcohol' ranked 4th, and 'drinking water between drinks' ranked 6th. This suggests that drinking water is recognized and practiced as a conscious habit when consuming alcohol.

Key Finding 3: Over 70% feel they fail to drink enough water when drinking alcohol

When asked if they consume adequate fluids—such as drinking water (a chaser)—while drinking alcohol, 75.0% answered 〝insufficiently”. While the risk of alcohol-induced dehydration is widely recognized, these findings highlight a gap in practice, showing that people fail to stay adequately hydrated during actual drinking occasions.

Key Finding 4: Top reason for insufficient hydration is losing track of drinking water

When the 527 respondents* who felt they were not getting enough hydration while drinking were asked for their reasons, the top response was losing track of drinking water as the alcohol flows.
Other responses highlighted operational effort—such as the 4th most common reason, it becomes a hassle to order or prepare extra water when tipsy—as well as hesitancy toward others, with lower-ranked responses including feeling guilty about ordering just water and finding it awkward to order while the group is having fun. 
These findings suggest that staying hydrated during social drinking occasions is a challenge that cannot be solved through individual willpower alone.
* Respondents who selected I drink water, but feel I should drink more, I don't drink enough, or I don't drink water at all when asked if they feel they get adequate hydration (e.g., drinking a chaser) while drinking alcohol.

A glass that tips over if you drink only beer—a design that forces you to drink water.

The Wobbly Beer Glass is a U-shaped beer glass designed to lose its balance and tip over if you drink only beer. Because the glass wobbles and falls over when only filled with beer, it forces drinkers to consume an equal amount of water. 
At YOHO Brewing, while some members—including President Naoyuki Ide—actively make a point of drinking water while enjoying alcohol, many others admitted that despite knowing its importance, they often forgot to drink water during actual gatherings. Hearing firsthand that it's hard to order water during a night out or easy to forget once tipsy, the company set out to develop a glass that humorously compels drinkers to drink water.

The final glass design was achieved after seven rounds of prototyping. Drinking from it allows users to fit their nose right inside the glass, letting them fully enjoy the beer's aroma. The glass holds approximately 270 ml each of beer and water, filled up to its pinched waist.  

Liver Specialist Dr. Satoshi Ogata says,
“Drinking water helps prevent excessive drinking”

Renowned liver specialist Dr. Satoshi Ogata provided medical insight regarding the 'Wobbly Beer Glass' and the relationship between alcohol-induced dehydration and water intake: 'Drinking water does not offset the intrinsic toxicity of alcohol—such as intoxication, accident risks, blackouts, or long-term health risks; the total alcohol intake determines overall risk. However, consuming water alongside alcohol serves a clear purpose. By curbing dehydration and making it easier to slow your drinking pace, it encourages a consumption style that prevents a rapid surge in blood alcohol concentration and reduces the likelihood of overdrinking.'

1. Alcohol reduces water retention, leading to dehydration

Alcohol suppresses vasopressin (an anti-diuretic hormone), making it harder for the kidneys to retain water and causing increased urination. In fact, studies show that drinking 1 liter of regular beer(4％ABV) produces about 158 mL more urine over four hours compared to a non-alcoholic beverage.

2. Drinking water quenches thirst and slows your drinking pace  

Dehydration triggers thirst, which often leads people to reach for more beer if no other option is available. Alternating with water quenches this thirst and helps slow down the pace of drinking, making it easier to avoid overconsumption.

3. Water reduces the physical strain of alcohol

The body’s alcohol metabolism rate remains largely constant, and no medicine can speed it up. Drinking water alongside alcohol helps cushion the physical strain by replacing fluids lost through increased urination and keeping your drinking pace naturally moderate.

Taste Consultant Shintaro Suga says
“Drinking water leads to discovering new dimensions of flavor.”

When asked about the Wobbly Beer Glass and the impact of drinking water on taste perception, Taste Consultant Shintaro Suga shared the following insight:”Water is the ultimate palate cleanser for resetting the five basic tastes. By drinking water between alcoholic drinks, you can experience the fresh, full flavor of craft beer time and time again. It enhances the beer's natural aromas and flavors, allowing you to discover new dimensions and variations in taste.”

1. Water is the ultimate & reset button for your palate  

The first sip of food or drink is always the most flavorful, but our taste buds gradually adapt as we continue drinking. Pure water—free from flavors, bitterness, or carbonation—is the only substance that resets taste perception back to zero, allowing you to experience that first-sip freshnes over and over again.

2. Slower drinking unlocks the complex flavors of craft beer

Human senses detect bitterness and acidity instantly as a defense mechanism, while sweetness and umami take time to unfold. Alternating beer with water naturally slows down your drinking pace, giving you the time to fully savor the rich aroma and nuanced flavors of craft beer rather than letting them rush past your palate.

3. Water creates a new habit for discovering your favorite beers  

Drinking water between alcoholic drinks does more than reduce physical strain—it expands the way you experience craft beer. It allows you to appreciate subtle variations in taste and helps you spend more quality time discovering and enjoying the beers you truly love.

“Wobbly Beer Glass” Will Be Available Across E-Commerce, Restaurants, and an Airport Lounge

Pre-Orders Open on Official Online Store

Pre-orders will begin on YOHO Brewing’s official online store on Wednesday, August 5, at 9:00 AM.
Price: ¥13,750 (tax included, shipping separate)

Served at Official Beer Restaurants, Partner Venues Nationwide, and Airport Lounge

Starting Wednesday, August 5, the "Wobbly Beer Glass" will be available at approximately 30 select locations across Japan, led by the flagship beer restaurant YONA YONA BEER WORKS Shintora-dori.

Complimentary Glass Program: Seeking 50 Partner Venues

To offer more patrons the opportunity to experience the "Wobbly Beer Glass," YOHO Brewing is offering a limited number of glasses free of charge to dining establishments nationwide.
・Application Period: Wednesday, August 5 – Wednesday, September 30.
・Details: 50 selected applicants will each receive a pair (2) of "Wobbly Beer Glasses."
・Delivery: Scheduled for mid-October onwards.

Promoting Responsible Drinking with a Unique Approach

Under our corporate mission, “Flavor in Beer! Happiness in Life!”, YOHO Brewing strives daily to deliver small moments of happiness through beer. To help expand craft beer culture across Japan, we define our business domain as "Beer-centered Entertainment"—aiming to delight our fans not just with great-tasting beer, but with the fun and experiences that surround it.
Realizing this mission requires more than just serving delicious beer; the physical and mental well-being of our fans is equally vital.
Following the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare’s publication of the "Healthy Drinking Guidelines" in February 2024 and the rising need for responsible drinking, we explored ways to make sensible drinking enjoyable and casual. In July 2024, we developed the "Slow Beer Glass", a glass intentionally designed to make drinking slow, which received a massive response.
Two years later, our latest focus turns to hydration while drinking. Craft beer is meant to be savored for its rich aromas and complex flavors, not just swallowed quickly. Drinking water alongside beer actually helps drinkers appreciate those subtle taste profiles even more.
Through the new “Wobbly Beer Glass,” we aim to raise awareness about staying hydrated during drinking sessions. We hope craft beer fans everywhere can continue to enjoy a long, healthy, and fulfilling beer-loving lifestyle for years to come.

YOHO Brewing’s Responsible Drinking Initiatives

References
World Health Organization (WHO) Regional Office for Europe. “No level of alcohol consumption is safe for our health.” 2023-01-04. 
National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA). “The Truth About Holiday Spirits” (Sobering up—myths and facts). 
Taivainen H, Laitinen K, et al. “Role of plasma vasopressin in changes of water balance in moderate alcohol intoxication.” Alcohol Clin Exp Res. 1995. 
Mackus M, et al. “Alcohol hangover versus dehydration revisited: The effect of water consumption…” Drug and Alcohol Dependence. 2024. 
Sailer CO, et al. “Effects of alcohol consumption on copeptin levels and sodium…” American Journal of Physiology—Renal Physiology. 2020. 
Hobson RM, Maughan RJ. Hydration Status and the Diuretic Action of a Small Dose of
Alcohol. Alcohol and Alcoholism. 2010;45(4):366–373.