Osaka's BAK Brewery, based in the Nishi Ward area of the city, introduced a new beer on Instagram: Ox Day’26 Sansho & Kabayaki Dark Ale 5.0%. In the post, the brewery notes that the 2026 summer Day of the Ox falls on July 26, framing the beer as a seasonal release meant to be enjoyed around that date.

This beer is built around the flavors of sansho and kabayaki. According to the post, the latest version has moved into a darker color range than the brewery's earlier amber-toned interpretation and has been renewed as a dark ale. The body is described as sweeter and richer, with the tare-like character associated with grilled eel brought to the foreground. It is a clear example of BAK turning a familiar Japanese dining tradition into a beer concept.

On its official website, BAK says it does not care much about tradition or mainstream rules and instead aims to make beer that is interesting, tasty, and fun. The brewery operates from BAK HORIE Brewing Studio in Osaka's Kitahorie neighborhood, with additional locations in Umeda, Dojima, and Shinsaibashi. That urban brewery network makes this release fit naturally into BAK's broader approach: seasonal, playful, and tied closely to food culture.

For drinkers looking for something to pair with summer eating rituals, or simply a darker beer with a distinctly Japanese twist, Ox Day’26 is a noteworthy seasonal release.