Uchoten Jozo Introduces BUDDY, a Czech Premium Pale Lager
Uchoten Jozo, based in Suwa, Nagano, introduced BUDDY / Czech Premium Pale Lager. Brewed with Czech malt and hops, the beer is described as a Czech-style pale lager with bready malt character and herbal, floral hop aromas.
Hop BroToday I’ve gotta talk about Uchoten Brewing in Suwa, Nagano, and their new beer, BUDDY / Czech Premium Pale Lager.
MugiWait, that name already sounds friendly! What kind of beer is BUDDY?
Hop BroIt’s a Czech-style pale lager brewed with Czech malt and hops, with bready malt character and herbal, floral aromas layered in.
MugiHold on, that’s stylish information overload! What does maltiness mean? How is bread suddenly in a glass?!
Hop BroMalt is barley prepared for brewing, and here it gives a fresh-baked bread vibe, kind of like a soft whiff of toast.
MugiOhhh! So when you say herbal and floral hops, is it like a flower shop and a field teamed up?
Hop BroHonestly, that’s pretty close. Herbal means grassy or herby, floral means blossom-like, and the aroma stays defined instead of getting loud or messy.
MugiSo it’s not a fireworks beer, it’s a slow-burn good one! Sounds great with food, and I respect that.
Hop BroExactly. Uchoten Brewing started brewing in Suwa in 2024, and it’s a brewery with its own taproom. Lagers and Belgian ales are part of its core identity, and it’s just a short walk from Kamisuwa Station.
MugiA few minutes from the station and you can meet a beer like that? Amazing... I need that trip immediately, and yes, I want to be friends with BUDDY.
Hop BroSame here. A lager that leans on ingredients and drinkability instead of gimmicks is perfect for first or second pint territory. I absolutely want one.
MugiSettled then. My brain is fully occupied by this Czech-built lager now, and I want BUDDY as my next cheers partner!
A Czech-leaning pale lager
Uchoten Jozo has introduced "BUDDY," a Czech Premium Pale Lager brewed with Czech malt and hops. The beer is built around a bready malt profile, with herbal and floral hop aromas layered on top, giving it a clear stylistic identity.
A young brewery in Suwa
Uchoten Jozo is a brewery with an attached taproom in Suwa, Nagano, a short walk from Kami-Suwa Station. It began brewing in 2024 and is known for focusing on lagers and Belgian-inspired ales, shaping its beers through careful choices of ingredients and recipe design.
Why beer fans may want to note it
What stands out about BUDDY is its restraint. Rather than pushing bold hop intensity, it appears to focus on balance, malt definition, and a smooth bitterness. Using Czech ingredients helps reinforce the classic contours of the style, making it the kind of beer that should pair naturally with food.
A release worth tracking
For beer drinkers following regional Japanese breweries, Uchoten Jozo is one to watch. BUDDY fits the brewery's direction well: a beer that emphasizes structure, drinkability, and a style-driven approach. If you enjoy lagers with a clean profile and a traditional European feel, this is a release to keep on your radar.
Information may be inaccurate. Please refer to the brewery’s official channels for the latest details.
Hop BroToday I’ve gotta talk about Uchoten Brewing in Suwa, Nagano, and their new beer, BUDDY / Czech Premium Pale Lager.
MugiWait, that name already sounds friendly! What kind of beer is BUDDY?
Hop BroIt’s a Czech-style pale lager brewed with Czech malt and hops, with bready malt character and herbal, floral aromas layered in.
MugiHold on, that’s stylish information overload! What does maltiness mean? How is bread suddenly in a glass?!
Hop BroMalt is barley prepared for brewing, and here it gives a fresh-baked bread vibe, kind of like a soft whiff of toast.
MugiOhhh! So when you say herbal and floral hops, is it like a flower shop and a field teamed up?
Hop BroHonestly, that’s pretty close. Herbal means grassy or herby, floral means blossom-like, and the aroma stays defined instead of getting loud or messy.
MugiSo it’s not a fireworks beer, it’s a slow-burn good one! Sounds great with food, and I respect that.
Hop BroExactly. Uchoten Brewing started brewing in Suwa in 2024, and it’s a brewery with its own taproom. Lagers and Belgian ales are part of its core identity, and it’s just a short walk from Kamisuwa Station.
MugiA few minutes from the station and you can meet a beer like that? Amazing... I need that trip immediately, and yes, I want to be friends with BUDDY.
Hop BroSame here. A lager that leans on ingredients and drinkability instead of gimmicks is perfect for first or second pint territory. I absolutely want one.
MugiSettled then. My brain is fully occupied by this Czech-built lager now, and I want BUDDY as my next cheers partner!
