Eguchiya Brewing in the Ibaraki/Kasumigaura area is steadily raising its profile in domestic competitions. According to the brewery’s Instagram post published on March 1, 2026, the award-winning beer was "Kasumigaura Hazy IPA." It took home a silver award at JAPAN GREAT BEER AWARDS 2026.

The post, while expressing gratitude for ongoing support, also noted that it had gone from "bronze in 2025 to silver in 2026," showing a sense of continued quality improvement. Rather than a one-off topic, it is being presented as the result of efforts built up over the previous year, something craft beer fans won’t want to miss.

Eguchiya Brewing’s official online store describes the brewery as "a community-focused brewery that began in 2023 on the shore of Lake Kasumigaura." It says the brewery renovated a former sake brewery warehouse from the Meiji era and brews while incorporating Ibaraki local adjuncts such as fruit and vegetables. The award-winning beer appears to reflect a design that connects local context with a modern beer style.

If you like hazy IPAs, "Kasumigaura Hazy IPA" is one to check out first. In addition to its award history, drinking it with knowledge of its local ingredients and the brewery’s background should make the impression in the glass feel even more layered.

References:
- Instagram post
- Eguchiya Brewing official online store