Open Air Minatoyama Brewery Announces ØL Tokyo 10th Anniversary Commemorative Beer "under bjørk"
On March 11, 2026 at 12:00, Open Air Minatoyama Brewery unveiled its collaboration beer, "under bjørk." It is a beer created to commemorate the 10th anniversary of ØL Tokyo, the directly operated shop of Norway's Oslo Brewing, and it is the brewery's first weizenbock.
Hop BroToday's topic is pretty hot. Open Air Minatoyama Brewery has unveiled its collaboration beer "under bjørk" for ØL Tokyo's 10th anniversary.
MugiWhoa! The name already sounds so stylish! What kind of beer is "under bjørk"?
Hop BroThe style is "weizenbock w/ bjørkeblad." It's Open Air's first weizenbock, and it's designed with a thicker malt bill than a weizen to boost body and alcohol presence.
MugiWait, what? That sounds like brewer-exam level information all of a sudden! Is "bjørkeblad" some kind of spell?
Hop BroIt means birch leaves. The idea is inspired by a birch forest, layering spicy yeast aromas with soft aromas reminiscent of birch leaves.
MugiOhhh! A beer that smells like a forest has real romance to it! So how strong is it?
Hop BroIt's a solid 7.0% ABV, with a mild 17 IBU bitterness. Since it uses Perle hops, the focus is on enjoying the malt and yeast character overall.
MugiNice! Where can I drink it? Can I buy it in cans? Is there tap service too? I want everything!
Hop BroIt's being released only in cans, and tap service will be available at ØL Tokyo and the open air Motomachi location. Open Air's official online shop and its trade-only shop are also announcing keg and can sales. It should pair especially well with roast chicken, sausage, and cream-based dishes.
MugiIt's so moving that a Kobe brewery born from a former elementary school lunchroom is connecting with Nordic inspiration... Tonight I want to prepare roast chicken and raise a toast with "under bjørk"!
Open Air Minatoyama Brewery (Hyogo) announced a new release on Instagram with a background well suited to the collaboration category. The partner is ØL Tokyo, the directly operated shop of Norway's Oslo Brewing. To mark the milestone 10th anniversary, "under bjørk" was brewed.
The style is weizenbock w/ bjørkeblad. According to the post, it uses a richer malt bill than a standard weizen, with a design that increases body and alcohol presence, layering in spicy yeast aromatics inspired by birch forests and the gentle aroma derived from birch leaves. The specs are ABV 7.0% / IBU 17, and the hop is Perle.
The sales format is also clear: cans only. On the other hand, tap service will be available at ØL Tokyo and the open air Motomachi location. In addition, Open Air's official online shop and its trade-only shop have announced the start of keg and can sales.
Food pairing suggestions include roast chicken, sausage, and cream-based dishes. With its emphasis on malt richness and yeast-derived spiciness, it is the kind of beer whose character changes with temperature, making it one to savor slowly alongside a meal.
On its official website, Open Air Minatoyama Brewery says it converted a former elementary school lunchroom in Kobe City into a brewery, and that it makes beer using local water and ingredients. This "under bjørk" release seems like a fitting collaboration that connects that local brewing foundation with a Nordic-inspired idea.
Sources: Instagram post, Open Air official site
Information may be inaccurate. Please refer to the brewery’s official channels for the latest details.
Hop BroToday's topic is pretty hot. Open Air Minatoyama Brewery has unveiled its collaboration beer "under bjørk" for ØL Tokyo's 10th anniversary.
MugiWhoa! The name already sounds so stylish! What kind of beer is "under bjørk"?
Hop BroThe style is "weizenbock w/ bjørkeblad." It's Open Air's first weizenbock, and it's designed with a thicker malt bill than a weizen to boost body and alcohol presence.
MugiWait, what? That sounds like brewer-exam level information all of a sudden! Is "bjørkeblad" some kind of spell?
Hop BroIt means birch leaves. The idea is inspired by a birch forest, layering spicy yeast aromas with soft aromas reminiscent of birch leaves.
MugiOhhh! A beer that smells like a forest has real romance to it! So how strong is it?
Hop BroIt's a solid 7.0% ABV, with a mild 17 IBU bitterness. Since it uses Perle hops, the focus is on enjoying the malt and yeast character overall.
MugiNice! Where can I drink it? Can I buy it in cans? Is there tap service too? I want everything!
Hop BroIt's being released only in cans, and tap service will be available at ØL Tokyo and the open air Motomachi location. Open Air's official online shop and its trade-only shop are also announcing keg and can sales. It should pair especially well with roast chicken, sausage, and cream-based dishes.
MugiIt's so moving that a Kobe brewery born from a former elementary school lunchroom is connecting with Nordic inspiration... Tonight I want to prepare roast chicken and raise a toast with "under bjørk"!
