Nara Brewing, based in Nara City, released PERSONA on July 6 as a collaboration with Bar Savant, a townhouse bar in Naramachi celebrating its 5th anniversary. The beer is being released in both cans and draft, and it takes the form of a session IPA built for easy drinking while keeping the bright hop character associated with the style.

A key feature of the beer is its restrained alcohol level. It was developed with Bar Savant owner-bartender Tanaka in mind, with the goal of using it as a base for beer cocktails. In other words, the recipe was designed not only to stand on its own, but also to leave room for transformation once it reaches the bar. Nara Brewing says the hop bill centers on Simcoe, bringing grapefruit-like citrus notes, while Sabro dry hopping adds coconut and tropical fruit aromas.

In the glass, the beer pours a pale, bright color and is described as having a smooth, light body with a gentle bitterness. The result is a session IPA that invites another sip without feeling heavy. For Nara Brewing, a brewery in Nara City that often works closely with local culture and hospitality businesses, PERSONA fits neatly into a broader pattern of location-driven collaboration.

At Bar Savant, the beer will also be used for an original beer cocktail, giving drinkers a chance to experience the same liquid in two different forms: as a beer, and as a bar-made creation built on top of it.