Nara Brewing wins double gold at the World Beer Cup

Nara Brewing Co., based in the ancient Japanese capital of Nara, had two of its beers each win a gold medal in their category at World Beer Cup 2026, held in the United States in April 2026. It is the first time in 16 years that a Japanese brewery has won gold in several categories at the same event. The gold in the Session Beer category is a first for Japan, and it was also the first time in the history of the competition that a medal in this category went to a country other than the United States. On 20 October, company president Yasunori Namioka visited the mayor of Nara to report the win.

The two gold medallists: a hop-forward saison and a low-alcohol porter

The first beer, FUNCTION, is a Nara Brewing staple and won gold in the American-Belgo-Style Ale category. It is a strongly hop-aromatic saison that combines Belgian-style yeast with American hops. It has a vivid aroma reminiscent of citrus and white grape, with restrained bitterness that keeps it light and easy to drink. It has an ABV of 6.0% and an IBU (a measure of bitterness) of 24.

The second beer, LIGHTHOUSE, won gold in the Session Beer category. It is a micro porter (a dark beer with reduced alcohol) brewed with the aim of delivering “a satisfying body even at low alcohol”. Roasted aromas of cacao and coffee are followed by a nutty finish. The can is filled with nitrogen (a nitro can), which produces a fine, creamy head. It has an ABV of 3.0% and an IBU of 18.

The competition known as the “Beer Olympics”

The World Beer Cup is an international competition organised by the Brewers Association in the United States. The 2026 edition received 8,166 entries from 50 countries, judged blind by 255 judges from 38 countries. It is a demanding contest: in some categories no gold medal is awarded if the entries fail to reach the required standard. In 2026, besides this event, Nara Brewing has also won awards at competitions in Japan, the UK and Germany.

A small brewery with the goal of being the world’s best

Nara Brewing began brewing in 2018. According to Mr Namioka, the company name carries the hope that “even far from Nara, it would be a joy whenever the word ‘Nara’ comes up”. Making the world’s best beer has been one of its goals since its founding, and he says it was finally achieved after being turned away many times. He also said that the appeal of this competition is that breweries can compete with the rest of the world on quality alone, regardless of size.

For readers in Europe, there is the pleasure of tasting how a Japanese brewery interprets familiar styles such as the Belgian saison and the British porter. Look for the name “Nara Brewing” at specialist shops and online stores that sell Japanese craft beer. Serve FUNCTION well chilled to enjoy its aroma, and pour a nitro can such as LIGHTHOUSE vigorously into the glass so that the head forms beautifully.