Iwami Beer’s “Fragrant Hazy IPA” wins bronze at JGBA 2026, a pint to enjoy at Kaze no Kuni
At the brewpub Iwami Beer Onsen Resort Kaze no Kuni Brewery in Gotsu, Shimane Prefecture, Iwami Beer’s “Fragrant Hazy IPA” won a bronze medal at the Japan Great Beer Awards 2026. Located inside an onsen resort, the brewery’s appeal lies in the chance to enjoy a wide range of craft beer styles.
Hop BroAt Iwami Beer Onsen Resort Kaze no Kuni Brewery in Gotsu City, Shimane Prefecture, Fragrant Hazy IPA won a bronze medal at JGBA 2026.
MugiWhat! A brewery inside an onsen resort already makes me want to go. What kind of beer is it?
Hop BroThis Hazy IPA is, as the name says, all about the aroma. It brings out the hop aroma, has a slightly hazy appearance, and its soft mouthfeel is part of the appeal.
MugiWait, what? So being hazy is the right thing? If it isn’t clear, it looks like a mistake!
Hop BroThat’s what makes it interesting. In a Hazy, the haze is part of the character. It’s a style where you don’t over-filter it, so you can enjoy the juicy hop expression and soft texture.
MugiOhhh! And Iwami Beer keeps making beers with local ingredients, right? Drinking it while traveling must make it even tastier!
Hop BroExactly. And the lineup is wide, from Session IPA to Dry Stout, plus Sour Ale and Cider, so you can choose based on your mood.
MugiWhat, they have everything from dark beer to sour styles?! It’s basically the department store of the beer world!
Hop BroAnd because it’s the Kaze no Kuni brewpub, you can drink it surrounded by the atmosphere of the hot springs and the resort. It makes you want to taste the award-winning beer on site and compare it with the others.
MugiI can’t take it anymore, I want to start with the Fragrant Hazy IPA, and now I’m curious about the Belgian White and Saison too! I want to go right now and do a tasting!
At Iwami Beer Onsen Resort Kaze no Kuni Brewery in Sakurae Town, Gotsu City, Shimane Prefecture, Iwami Beer’s “Fragrant Hazy IPA” was selected for a bronze medal at the Japan Great Beer Awards 2026. It also appears in the published list of award winners as an Iwami Beer entry.
Iwami Beer is a brewpub based in Gotsu City that continues to make beer using local ingredients. Because the brewery is located on the grounds of the onsen resort “Kaze no Kuni,” it combines the fun of stopping by while traveling with the appeal of craft beer that shows the maker’s personality.
Another feature is the broad range of beers available. The shop site lists Session IPA, Belgian White, American Pale Ale, Extra Pale Ale, Saison, Dry Stout, Sour Ale, and Cider. From a light, hop-aromatic pint to a roasty dark beer or a beer that makes use of fruit-derived tartness, the lineup makes it easy to choose according to your mood.
What stands out in this award is not simply that Iwami Beer won a prize. It is also that, within a regional resort facility, the brewery keeps producing small-batch, many-style beers while creating a place that works both as an everyday pint and as a travel destination. The bronze-winning “Fragrant Hazy IPA” makes you want to head to the Kaze no Kuni brewpub and compare Iwami Beer’s wide range of styles for yourself.
Information may be inaccurate. Please refer to the venue’s official channels for the latest details.
Hop BroAt Iwami Beer Onsen Resort Kaze no Kuni Brewery in Gotsu City, Shimane Prefecture, Fragrant Hazy IPA won a bronze medal at JGBA 2026.
MugiWhat! A brewery inside an onsen resort already makes me want to go. What kind of beer is it?
Hop BroThis Hazy IPA is, as the name says, all about the aroma. It brings out the hop aroma, has a slightly hazy appearance, and its soft mouthfeel is part of the appeal.
MugiWait, what? So being hazy is the right thing? If it isn’t clear, it looks like a mistake!
Hop BroThat’s what makes it interesting. In a Hazy, the haze is part of the character. It’s a style where you don’t over-filter it, so you can enjoy the juicy hop expression and soft texture.
MugiOhhh! And Iwami Beer keeps making beers with local ingredients, right? Drinking it while traveling must make it even tastier!
Hop BroExactly. And the lineup is wide, from Session IPA to Dry Stout, plus Sour Ale and Cider, so you can choose based on your mood.
MugiWhat, they have everything from dark beer to sour styles?! It’s basically the department store of the beer world!
Hop BroAnd because it’s the Kaze no Kuni brewpub, you can drink it surrounded by the atmosphere of the hot springs and the resort. It makes you want to taste the award-winning beer on site and compare it with the others.
MugiI can’t take it anymore, I want to start with the Fragrant Hazy IPA, and now I’m curious about the Belgian White and Saison too! I want to go right now and do a tasting!
