If you’re here, you have at least a passing interest in combining good craft beer with good conversation. That might not be a surprise for many folks coming from the Christian tradition.

But what about an Eastern religion, like Buddhism? It seems a more ascetic path, which wouldn’t have space for the imbibing of spirits. Yet there is a phenomenon cropping up in Tokyo called “Buddhist bars.” An unlikely combination? As Gavin Blair of CNN travel put it: “The great Siddhārtha Gautama was able to reach enlightenment, but most of us are happy to just reach for a cold one once in a while.” In other words, Blair notes: “the casual believer can’t always hold himself to Buddha’s lofty standards.”

Indeed. Yet it seems for at least one Buddhist priest, this idea of a Buddhist bar is not just one of religious rebellion, or a break from serious religious pursuit. It is a combination of spirituality and spirits. Sounds to me a little bit like pub theology.

“When people have had a few drinks, it’s often easier to communicate with them on spiritual matters here than it is talking at a temple.”

The bar is meant to be a more casual environment for spirituality. “When people have had a few drinks, it’s often easier to communicate with them on spiritual matters here than it is talking at a temple,” Yoshinobu Fujioka, Buddhist priest and owner of Vow’z Bar, told CNN Travel. His Buddhist Monk-run bar hosts events for visitors to come and discuss Buddhism. Pub theology, indeed.

Blair reports that the priests established the bars out of a belief that mainstream Buddhism in Japan has grown out of touch with ordinary people. “Buddhist temples get most of their income from funerals, so many of them don’t make an effort to reach out to people,” says Fujioka.

A familiar trend is likely behind the current increase in people meeting in pubs for conversation on spiritual and philosophical topics in the West. I’ve heard people tell me a number of times at pub theology sessions that they are so grateful for a space where they are allowed to be open and honest, and unfortunately, they hadn’t had that same experience in church. “I come to Pub Theology because I’m allowed to have a voice here,” said a twenty-something at a pub session I facilitated in Washington, DC recently.

What do you think? Is the rapid expansion of groups meeting in casual places like bars a good thing? Is it a sign that churches or failing, or perhaps that churches are beginning to reinvent themselves? Perhaps a little bit of both, in my opinion. I’m really glad to hear that this move to connect in a casual environment on important topics of meaning and faith is also happening in other global contexts. Anytime we can be ourselves, connect with others, and explore deeply meaningful topics of life and faith—that’s always a good thing. And let’s not kid ourselves—having a decent beverage along the way doesn’t hurt.

Bryan Berghoef is a pastor, writer, and author of the book, Pub Theology: Beer, Conversation and God.  He insists that good things happen when we sit around the table together and talk about things that matter, and what better setting than at the pub, over a pint.