What is it?
Let’s rewind to late 2019: Japan is expecting a gigantic positive economic impact in 2020 as the future host of the Summer Olympics. Furthermore, Major sporting events translates to a huge influx of tourism, which has a direct correlation to mass consumption of food and beverage in venues and the hospitality industry in general.
Fast forward a few weeks later, COVID-19 makes an appearance, and changes everything we had plans for. Summer Olympics get postponed. Japan’s breweries found themselves with a considerable amount of oversupply beer in their soon-to-expire inventory (most bottled beer is best if consumed within 3–6 months, kegs will last even less). Therefore, they were in dire need to get creative to maximize its usage.
Anheuser Busch InBev’s Japan division contacted The Ethical Spirits & Co., a newly founded company to help sake distillers turn sake lees into new spirits, which had started exploring recipes to make gin from beer. Furthermore, As per the head of marketing for AB InBev Japan: “We had a problem of excess inventory and Ethical Spirits had the knowledge and the right ethos to create a product that we mutually thought would be a positive impact”.
And so, they did team up: Anheuser Bush InBev donated 20,000 litres of Budweiser to The Ethical Spirits to be converted into 4,500 bottles of gin. REVIVE gin.

Why it’s Cool?
- From an environmentalist point of view, it’s quite the better solution. Furthermore, Disposing waste beer is highly regulated because it could seriously alter water management processes due to the chemistry involved with beer. In addition, environmental harm caused during beer making will not be totally wasted away (high usage of water and lots of trash material during the industrial process).
- Sales will benefit the community: a portion of the proceed will fund the Music Cross, a not for profit that is supporting Japan’s live music industry.
- Surely many thought it was a crazy idea at first but will probably turn out to be a recognizable product. Furthermore, It will add to the brand name and parties involved in the process.
- Even during difficult situations, there are opportunities to do good or better.
- They have transformed a product with an expiration date to one with none.

Why it has future growth potential?
Since then, there is a local Japanese brewery that has implemented the same idea: Kiuchi Brewery. Furthermore, They have launched the “Save Beer Spirits” campaign, in which they offer local pubs and breweries to send their unsold beer to be turned into gin or gin cocktail. In addition, Once the process is completed, they send back the bottled product.
Cost? It’s free (but the bars assume the cost of shipping). Also, world-famous Guinness took back millions of litres of leftover beer and has decided to use a portion to fertilize Ireland’s Christmas Trees plantations. Furthermore, In the US, the surplus has been mainly used to manufacture hand sanitizers.

In the short and medium term, there is plenty of growing potential. Furthermore, There may be a need to dispose of millions of litres of beer in the next few months around the world. In addition, And will continue to exist as long as closures and restrictions prolong or worsens. Furthermore, And we simply don’t know when it will end.
In the long term, once the pandemic is settled, it’s hard to imagine that a huge excess of beer will continue to go on. But I can bet it will open our imagination to figuring new ways to utilize the surplus of food and beverage into something special or, maybe, simply better.
30 comments
HOW COOL IS THIS “SEED”?
● ● ● ● ○
DOES IT HAVE FUTURE GROWTH POTENTIAL?
● ● ○ ○ ○
In the surplus-beer example, a response to disrupted production and demand raises a concrete question about customer value. The commercial question comes after the first impression: what remains useful or enjoyable? I would compare actual repeat interest with the complete cost of supporting the offer.
HOW COOL IS THIS “SEED”?
● ● ● ● ○
DOES IT HAVE FUTURE GROWTH POTENTIAL?
● ● ○ ○ ○
The idea of a response to disrupted production and demand gives the surplus-beer example several possible cultural readings. Interpretations will differ across audiences. A host should ask about expectations rather than assume everyone shares the same associations or wants the same level of participation.
HOW COOL IS THIS “SEED”?
● ● ● ● ○
DOES IT HAVE FUTURE GROWTH POTENTIAL?
● ● ○ ○ ○
I would consider where the surplus-beer example could make a response to disrupted production and demand locally useful. The relationship with place could make the offer distinctive. I would examine local needs and repeated use before treating the model as something every destination should copy.
HOW COOL IS THIS “SEED”?
● ● ● ● ○
DOES IT HAVE FUTURE GROWTH POTENTIAL?
● ● ○ ○ ○
For the surplus-beer example, the work behind a response to disrupted production and demand deserves close attention. The operating work should remain visible behind the idea. Staff need accurate information, realistic capacity and a clear way to respond when the customer experience differs from the original plan.
HOW COOL IS THIS “SEED”?
● ● ● ● ○
DOES IT HAVE FUTURE GROWTH POTENTIAL?
● ○ ○ ○ ○
The economics of the surplus-beer example need scrutiny beyond the appeal of a response to disrupted production and demand. An attractive example is not yet a durable economic case. I would assess the complete costs, dependencies and evidence of demand before treating novelty as a dependable investment advantage.
HOW COOL IS THIS “SEED”?
● ● ● ● ○
DOES IT HAVE FUTURE GROWTH POTENTIAL?
● ● ○ ○ ○
The responsibilities behind a response to disrupted production and demand matter when judging the surplus-beer example. The promise should remain accountable to the people affected. Transparent limits and meaningful choice would make the idea stronger than a broad claim that its intentions are necessarily beneficial.
HOW COOL IS THIS “SEED”?
● ● ● ● ●
DOES IT HAVE FUTURE GROWTH POTENTIAL?
● ● ○ ○ ○
the surplus-beer example is interesting as an example of a response to disrupted production and demand. This invites a different reading of an everyday relationship. The most useful discussion would examine that shift without assuming novelty alone represents a lasting or universal change.
HOW COOL IS THIS “SEED”?
● ● ● ● ●
DOES IT HAVE FUTURE GROWTH POTENTIAL?
● ● ○ ○ ○
The signal in the surplus-beer example comes through its approach to a response to disrupted production and demand. A cool signal and demonstrated growth are different judgements. I would look for repeated value and credible adaptation, rather than treat an engaging first impression as proof of a durable shift.
HOW COOL IS THIS “SEED”?
● ● ● ● ○
DOES IT HAVE FUTURE GROWTH POTENTIAL?
● ● ○ ○ ○
I would consider how the surplus-beer example makes a response to disrupted production and demand feel to the person involved. A thoughtful encounter leaves room for hesitation. I would offer clear guidance and a gentle alternative, rather than make the customer perform the reaction the concept expects.
HOW COOL IS THIS “SEED”?
● ● ● ● ○
DOES IT HAVE FUTURE GROWTH POTENTIAL?
● ● ○ ○ ○
There is room for a personal response to the surplus-beer example and a response to disrupted production and demand. I am interested in the small moment after the first impression. A person should have room to respond privately, without the experience turning their feelings into another public performance.
HOW COOL IS THIS “SEED”?
● ● ● ● ○
DOES IT HAVE FUTURE GROWTH POTENTIAL?
● ● ○ ○ ○
Explaining a response to disrupted production and demand accurately would matter in a demonstration of the surplus-beer example. Training should explain the promise, its limits and the practical response to questions. Staff need confidence to check a fact or offer an alternative rather than improvise reassuring claims.
HOW COOL IS THIS “SEED”?
● ● ● ● ○
DOES IT HAVE FUTURE GROWTH POTENTIAL?
● ● ○ ○ ○
The people connected to the surplus-beer example should help interpret a response to disrupted production and demand. I would ask whose account is missing from the example. Local participants and makers may explain needs the original story overlooks, helping an adaptation grow from relationships rather than an imported image.
HOW COOL IS THIS “SEED”?
● ● ● ● ○
DOES IT HAVE FUTURE GROWTH POTENTIAL?
● ○ ○ ○ ○
An environmental claim around the surplus-beer example needs more than the story of a response to disrupted production and demand. I would ask which outcomes have actually been measured. A promising intention or material choice does not establish the whole environmental result, especially when support and repeated use introduce additional demands.
HOW COOL IS THIS “SEED”?
● ● ● ● ○
DOES IT HAVE FUTURE GROWTH POTENTIAL?
● ● ○ ○ ○
I would test the effort involved in the surplus-beer example and a response to disrupted production and demand. The practical test is the whole routine, not one impressive step. I would watch where effort is reduced and where new tasks appear before describing the encounter as genuinely convenient.
HOW COOL IS THIS “SEED”?
● ● ● ● ○
DOES IT HAVE FUTURE GROWTH POTENTIAL?
● ● ○ ○ ○
the surplus-beer example gives a response to disrupted production and demand a distinctive identity worth examining. A distinctive identity helps discovery, yet it should remain coherent with the actual experience. Desirability becomes more credible when the offer still makes sense after its limits are explained.
HOW COOL IS THIS “SEED”?
● ● ● ● ○
DOES IT HAVE FUTURE GROWTH POTENTIAL?
● ● ○ ○ ○
A private interpretation of the surplus-beer example should make a response to disrupted production and demand an informed choice. The guest should feel that the encounter responds to them. A distinctive idea can support premium service when alternatives receive equal care and the person retains control over participation.
HOW COOL IS THIS “SEED”?
● ● ● ○ ○
DOES IT HAVE FUTURE GROWTH POTENTIAL?
● ● ○ ○ ○
If the surplus-beer example is linked with wellbeing, a response to disrupted production and demand still needs careful interpretation. An experience can invite reflection without promising a health outcome. I would describe its intended role clearly and allow different responses, rather than treat an appealing personal story as evidence of therapeutic benefit.
HOW COOL IS THIS “SEED”?
● ● ● ● ○
DOES IT HAVE FUTURE GROWTH POTENTIAL?
● ● ○ ○ ○
A digital adaptation of the surplus-beer example should explain a response to disrupted production and demand clearly. The interface should explain what it does before asking someone to engage. Clear controls and a support route matter more than an invisible system that claims to know the user completely.
HOW COOL IS THIS “SEED”?
● ● ● ● ○
DOES IT HAVE FUTURE GROWTH POTENTIAL?
● ● ○ ○ ○
As a hosted experience, the surplus-beer example would need a response to disrupted production and demand to support real enjoyment. A meal or hosted interpretation should respect preferences and remain satisfying on its own. I would judge the result alongside the story, without treating novelty as evidence of flavour or consistent service.
HOW COOL IS THIS “SEED”?
● ● ● ● ●
DOES IT HAVE FUTURE GROWTH POTENTIAL?
● ● ○ ○ ○
The interaction behind a response to disrupted production and demand makes the surplus-beer example worth examining as design. The interaction becomes convincing through practical details of use. I would examine handling, maintenance and the connection between parts, because a striking form cannot compensate for an object that is awkward to live with.
HOW COOL IS THIS “SEED”?
● ● ● ● ○
DOES IT HAVE FUTURE GROWTH POTENTIAL?
● ● ○ ○ ○
Access to the surplus-beer example and a response to disrupted production and demand should be considered from different perspectives. An inclusive interpretation gives alternatives equal care. The experience should not require a particular device, confidence or preference before someone can understand its value and make an informed choice.
HOW COOL IS THIS “SEED”?
● ● ● ○ ○
DOES IT HAVE FUTURE GROWTH POTENTIAL?
● ● ○ ○ ○
Any health claim associated with the surplus-beer example needs evidence beyond a response to disrupted production and demand. I would not infer safety or therapeutic value from an appealing account. The design can be discussed without turning its intended effects into medical guidance or a promise about an individual’s wellbeing.
HOW COOL IS THIS “SEED”?
● ● ● ● ●
DOES IT HAVE FUTURE GROWTH POTENTIAL?
● ● ○ ○ ○
I would let the idea of a response to disrupted production and demand lead the presentation of the surplus-beer example. The premise may be strongest when the presentation remains restrained. I would remove unnecessary instructions and spectacle, leaving room for the person to understand the idea and respond at their own pace.
HOW COOL IS THIS “SEED”?
● ● ● ● ○
DOES IT HAVE FUTURE GROWTH POTENTIAL?
● ● ○ ○ ○
A clear account of the surplus-beer example should keep a response to disrupted production and demand distinct from promised outcomes. I would show the practical encounter and state what has been demonstrated. A campaign can remain appealing without allowing an impressive image or historical figure to imply a guaranteed current outcome.
The account of the surplus-beer example would benefit from a defined comparison. The appeal of a response to disrupted production and demand can remain visible while any environmental claims are checked separately, so an engaging material or purpose story does not substitute for measured outcomes.
HOW COOL IS THIS “SEED”?
● ● ● ● ○
DOES IT HAVE FUTURE GROWTH POTENTIAL?
● ○ ○ ○ ○
The narrative around the surplus-beer example and a response to disrupted production and demand deserves difficult questions too. A compelling example can hide practical contradictions. I would keep those tensions visible instead of treating criticism as a failure to appreciate innovation or assuming an unusual idea is necessarily a better one.
Careful making and critical questions can support each other in the surplus-beer example. I would examine a response to disrupted production and demand through repeated use and the responsibilities behind it, rather than allow either the novelty or its promotional narrative to settle the judgement.
HOW COOL IS THIS “SEED”?
● ● ● ● ●
DOES IT HAVE FUTURE GROWTH POTENTIAL?
● ● ○ ○ ○
I would look closely at the making behind the surplus-beer example and a response to disrupted production and demand. Quality lies in the coherence between intention, making and repeated use. I would inspect the details behind the presentation, rather than let a striking story replace evidence of careful execution.
HOW COOL IS THIS “SEED”?
● ● ● ● ○
DOES IT HAVE FUTURE GROWTH POTENTIAL?
● ● ○ ○ ○
A spatial interpretation of the surplus-beer example should make a response to disrupted production and demand workable in use. The arrangement should support both the visitor and the people maintaining the experience. A trial in the actual space would reveal circulation, reach and privacy needs that an attractive image can conceal.
HOW COOL IS THIS “SEED”?
● ● ● ● ○
DOES IT HAVE FUTURE GROWTH POTENTIAL?
● ● ○ ○ ○
For the surplus-beer example, a response to disrupted production and demand should support a promise people can understand. I would begin with the relationship the offer hopes to create. Its story becomes credible through thoughtful service and clear limits, allowing a customer to remain valued even when they prefer an alternative.
Rate & Discuss this Signal
Calibrate the Future Signals Index with your rating below, and share your perspective in the community dialogue.
Evaluate this Creative Signal
Help calibrate the Future Signals Index. Rate this Seed on both key criteria below (scale: 2 to 10).