The Cycle Messenger World Championships 2023 rolls into Yokohama on September 20th. This six-day international event centers around a variety of cycling races featuring bike couriers from about forty different countries. The first competition was held in Berlin in 1993 and Tokyo was Japan’s first hosting city in 2009. Yokohama now becomes the country’s second.
In the 2022 world championships held in New York City, ‘Chikappa’ (Kohei Miyamoto), a rider from Yokohama-based messenger service Courio-City, placed first in the delivery race and will be defending that title on his home turf this year. Having local talent to cheer for is added incentive for spectators to show up to support the competitors.
In unison with the races there will be art exhibits, vendors selling related goods, events for kids, and post-race parties. After working up a thirst from a day of racing, participants will surely feel like having a few well-earned, cold beers. With this in mind, the event coordinators collaborated with three Yokohama brewers to provide liquid rewards. Yokohama Bay Brewing, Yokohama Beer, and Libushi Bashamichi made unique brews packaged with original artwork.
Yokohama Bay Brewing owner Shinya Suzuki actually used to be a bike messenger in his younger days. His contribution, W/Rush Yuzu IPA, is a light-drinking IPA made with a generous dose of Kanagawa-grown yuzu. The bottle art is by Tokyo-based artist Tetsuro Ohno, creator of the popular Uncle Rinne character that graces the label. Yokohama Beer’s contribution is Messenger Yell-Sour Ale with artwork by Yokohama local Kensuke Takahashi. Brewer Shoichi Ida tells us it’s made with Philly Sour yeast (which produces lactic acid as well as alcohol) combined with fruit flavors from lemon and bergamot. The result is a mild sour that won’t cause the consumer pucker. Libushi Bashamichi head brewer Chris Macomber came up with Brooklyn Black Stout. As stouts go, it’s light-bodied and finishes dry. The artwork, by Taliah Lempert, is a tribute to legendary Brooklyn bike messenger, photographer, and activist “Fast” Eddie Williams, who was also a fan of stouts.
The beers are available now at the respective breweries. Details here for those interested in attending any of the CMWC2023 events.