Anglo-Japanese Brewing's AJB Cassis Barrel Wins Silver at the World Beer Cup
Anglo-Japanese Brewing, based in Nozawaonsen Village, Nagano, reported that its "AJB Cassis Barrel" won a silver medal at the World Beer Cup, one of the world's largest competitions. Its barrel-aging-focused brewing has been recognized on the international stage.
Hop BroOh, Anglo-Japanese Brewing's AJB Cassis Barrel won silver at the World Beer Cup.
MugiWait, is a World Beer Cup silver medal that impressive?
Hop BroYeah, being recognized in an international competition with 8,166 entries is a big deal.
MugiFruited Wood- and Barrel-Aged Sour Beer is such a long name my brain just stopped!
Hop BroBasically, it's a fruit-infused barrel-aged sour that layers the tartness and aroma of cassis over the depth of oak barrels.
MugiWow, just imagining the cassis aroma with that barrel character makes it sound delicious!
Hop BroAJB Co. is a brewery in Nozawaonsen Village that's been digging deep into barrel aging.
MugiA former nursery school and, like, Japan's first oak foudre? They are way too serious about this!
Hop BroExactly. That's why their challenging brewing style came through on the international stage.
MugiAt this point, this has to go on my tonight's drink list!
Hop BroAgreed. I want to sink into that barrel depth too, and slowly savor the cassis finish.
MugiThen let's raise a toast with AJB Cassis Barrel to wrap it up!
Anglo-Japanese Brewing (AJB Co.)'s "AJB Cassis Barrel" won a silver medal in the 2026 World Beer Cup's Fruited Wood- and Barrel-Aged Sour Beer category. The World Beer Cup is an international competition where brewers from around the world compete; this year, the official announcement reported 8,166 entries from 1,644 breweries and cideries across 50 countries.
AJB Co. is a brewery in Nozawaonsen Village, Nagano Prefecture. It began in January 2014, when it opened the taproom Rimboo and a 300L pilot brewery in front of "Oyu," the village center known for its hot springs. In 2017, it expanded its brewing capacity by renovating a former nursery school and adding a 2,500L brewhouse, and in 2019 it introduced Japan's first oak foudre, steadily deepening its focus on barrel aging and maturation-oriented beers.
This award can be seen as the result of AJB's distinctive style being recognized by international judges. On its official website, the company describes its approach as "challenging beer making that is not bound by style," from IPAs to sours and barrel-aged beers. Using spring water from Nozawaonsen and carefully selected ingredients, it has continued to craft beers with character. "AJB Cassis Barrel," which combines barrel-derived depth with the fruit character of cassis, is drawing attention as a beer that symbolizes that journey.
Information may be inaccurate. Please refer to the brewery’s official channels for the latest details.
Hop BroOh, Anglo-Japanese Brewing's AJB Cassis Barrel won silver at the World Beer Cup.
MugiWait, is a World Beer Cup silver medal that impressive?
Hop BroYeah, being recognized in an international competition with 8,166 entries is a big deal.
MugiFruited Wood- and Barrel-Aged Sour Beer is such a long name my brain just stopped!
Hop BroBasically, it's a fruit-infused barrel-aged sour that layers the tartness and aroma of cassis over the depth of oak barrels.
MugiWow, just imagining the cassis aroma with that barrel character makes it sound delicious!
Hop BroAJB Co. is a brewery in Nozawaonsen Village that's been digging deep into barrel aging.
MugiA former nursery school and, like, Japan's first oak foudre? They are way too serious about this!
Hop BroExactly. That's why their challenging brewing style came through on the international stage.
MugiAt this point, this has to go on my tonight's drink list!
Hop BroAgreed. I want to sink into that barrel depth too, and slowly savor the cassis finish.
MugiThen let's raise a toast with AJB Cassis Barrel to wrap it up!
