Karuizawa Brewery Launches THE Karuizawa Beer Winter Journey Premium
Karuizawa Brewery began shipping its seasonal THE Karuizawa Beer Winter Journey Premium on October 26, 2026. Brewed as a wheat-based Weizen Weiss ale, the beer features a banana-like fruity aroma, moderate acidity, and a creamy, gentle mouthfeel designed for winter dining.
Hop BroA perfect winter-table beer has arrived. Karuizawa Brewery began this season’s sales of Winter Journey Premium on October 26.
MugiWhoa! The name alone makes me want a snowy toast! Is it a winter-only release?
Hop BroExactly. THE Karuizawa Beer Winter Journey Premium returns every winter, and its style is Weizen Weiss.
MugiWhat is that? It sounds like a special move! What exactly is Weizen Weiss?
Hop BroIt’s a German-style wheat beer. This one uses 50% wheat malt and is an unfiltered, yeast-containing 100% malt beer.
MugiHalf wheat malt! Is it fluffy like bread? And I have to ask: does it really have a banana-like aroma?
Hop BroIt does. Yeast creates that fruity aroma, balanced by gentle tartness and a creamy, soft mouthfeel. Don’t worry—no bread in the glass!
MugiI was one step away from dropping toast into my glass! And the label features Hiroshi Senju’s winter scene? That is seriously wintery!
Hop BroIts quiet snowy artwork suits hot pot and cheesy Italian dishes, too. At an easy-going 5.5% ABV, it’s made for lingering over dinner.
MugiHot pot, cheese, and a snowy label—everything is ready! Whether it’s the 350ml can or 330ml bottle, let’s have a wintertime cheers tonight!
A wheat ale for the winter season
Karuizawa Brewery, based in Saku, Nagano, began this season’s shipments of THE Karuizawa Beer Winter Journey Premium on October 26, 2026. The beer returns as a winter seasonal release intended to be enjoyed around a warm meal during the colder months.
The beer is a top-fermented Weizen Weiss. Made with 50% wheat malt, it is a 100% malt wheat beer containing yeast. Its profile combines a fruity aroma reminiscent of banana with moderate acidity and a creamy, soft texture. The pale appearance and yeast-derived character highlight the appeal of the style.
The beer has an alcohol content of 5.5%. It is available in 350ml cans and 330ml bottles, with suggested retail prices of 330 yen including tax for a can and 469 yen for a bottle. The ingredients are wheat malt produced in Germany, barley malt, and hops.
Snowy artwork by Hiroshi Senju
The label features “Four Seasons Screen: Winter” by Japanese-style painter Hiroshi Senju. Its quiet snowy landscape creates a restrained winter mood that suits the name Winter Journey. The work also served as stage artwork for the opera “Yuzuru,” based on a play by Junji Kinoshita.
The beer’s fruity aroma is balanced by a refreshing character, and the brewery recommends it with hot pot dishes as well as Italian cuisine featuring cheese. The beer is also designed with controlled haze to help maintain a longer shelf life.
A seasonal expression of Karuizawa
Karuizawa Brewery produces THE Karuizawa Beer brand using clear, cool water from Mount Asama. Since beginning sales in 2013, the brewery has developed a broad range that includes premium lagers, ales, and seasonal releases.
Winter Journey Premium brings together snowy artwork and the soft character of wheat malt to express the atmosphere of winter in Karuizawa. It is a beer suited to slow enjoyment with hot pot dishes, cheese-based food, or a quiet evening at home.
Information may be inaccurate. Please refer to the brewery’s official channels for the latest details.
Hop BroA perfect winter-table beer has arrived. Karuizawa Brewery began this season’s sales of Winter Journey Premium on October 26.
MugiWhoa! The name alone makes me want a snowy toast! Is it a winter-only release?
Hop BroExactly. THE Karuizawa Beer Winter Journey Premium returns every winter, and its style is Weizen Weiss.
MugiWhat is that? It sounds like a special move! What exactly is Weizen Weiss?
Hop BroIt’s a German-style wheat beer. This one uses 50% wheat malt and is an unfiltered, yeast-containing 100% malt beer.
MugiHalf wheat malt! Is it fluffy like bread? And I have to ask: does it really have a banana-like aroma?
Hop BroIt does. Yeast creates that fruity aroma, balanced by gentle tartness and a creamy, soft mouthfeel. Don’t worry—no bread in the glass!
MugiI was one step away from dropping toast into my glass! And the label features Hiroshi Senju’s winter scene? That is seriously wintery!
Hop BroIts quiet snowy artwork suits hot pot and cheesy Italian dishes, too. At an easy-going 5.5% ABV, it’s made for lingering over dinner.
MugiHot pot, cheese, and a snowy label—everything is ready! Whether it’s the 350ml can or 330ml bottle, let’s have a wintertime cheers tonight!
