Matsumoto Gakuto Brewing Reports Arrival of JGBA Certificate and Medal, Continues Refining Its Beer
MATSUMOTO GAKU都 BREWING in Matsumoto City reported that its JAPAN GREAT BEER AWARDS certificate and medal have arrived. In the post, the brewery said it is continuing improvements while referring to the judge comments that arrived earlier, showing its intention to carry the award forward into the next brew.
Hop BroMatsumoto's MATSUMOTO GAKU都 BREWING has received its JAPAN GREAT BEER AWARDS certificate and medal.
MugiWait, just having the certificate and medal arrive is enough to get me hyped!
Hop BroAnd what I like is that they're already continuing improvements while looking at the judge comments that arrived earlier.
MugiDo judge comments really contain that many clues about flavor?
Hop BroThey do. Things like the outline of the bitterness or the depth of the malt can become guidelines for the next batch.
MugiOh wow. So where in Matsumoto is the brewery?
Hop BroIt's a brewery on the basement floor of Hotel Buena Vista, and it opened on May 1, 2024 as a brewery in Matsumoto City.
MugiWhat, that's the kind of place I'd want to stop by while sightseeing! And the name is so cool with the Gaku city concept!
Hop BroExactly. It's based on Matsumoto's "Gakuto, Rakuto, and Gakuto," and I think it's interesting how they reflect local character in the labels.
MugiThe award-winning beers were Gakuto IPA and Gakuto CHOCOLATE STOUT, right?
Hop BroThat's right. Gakuto IPA won bronze, and Gakuto CHOCOLATE STOUT won silver, showing strength in steady accumulation more than flashiness.
MugiWow, refining it through comments and moving on to the next step is the best! Now I really want to drink one right away!
Hop BroThen tonight, let's toast with a glass from Matsumoto while imagining the flavor that comes after all that refinement.
MATSUMOTO GAKU都 BREWING in Matsumoto City, Nagano Prefecture, announced on its official Instagram that the JAPAN GREAT BEER AWARDS certificate and medal have arrived. The post also revealed that, while reviewing the judge comments received earlier, the brewery is making further improvements and aiming for an even higher award.
The brewery opened on May 1, 2024, as a brewery located on the basement floor of Hotel Buena Vista. Centered on Matsumoto City's three "Gaku" identities - "Gakuto" (mountain city), "Gakuto" (music city), and "Gakuto" (learning city) - it has aimed to create craft beer that can be enjoyed in different settings. Its approach of weaving local character into labels and product design is also distinctive to this brewery.
According to its official website, at JAPAN GREAT BEER AWARDS 2025, "Gakuto IPA" won a bronze medal and "Gakuto CHOCOLATE STOUT" won a silver medal. The arrival of the certificate and medal can be seen as a tangible sign of that recognition. The post, which says the judge comments will be used to guide the next round of improvements, suggests that the brewery sees the award not as a finish line, but as a milestone on the path to refining its brewing.
This brewery, carrying the name of Matsumoto on its back, continues to earn recognition through both local identity and brewing skill. Rather than flashiness, this is news that draws attention to a steady, cumulative approach to improvement.
Information may be inaccurate. Please refer to the brewery’s official channels for the latest details.
Hop BroMatsumoto's MATSUMOTO GAKU都 BREWING has received its JAPAN GREAT BEER AWARDS certificate and medal.
MugiWait, just having the certificate and medal arrive is enough to get me hyped!
Hop BroAnd what I like is that they're already continuing improvements while looking at the judge comments that arrived earlier.
MugiDo judge comments really contain that many clues about flavor?
Hop BroThey do. Things like the outline of the bitterness or the depth of the malt can become guidelines for the next batch.
MugiOh wow. So where in Matsumoto is the brewery?
Hop BroIt's a brewery on the basement floor of Hotel Buena Vista, and it opened on May 1, 2024 as a brewery in Matsumoto City.
MugiWhat, that's the kind of place I'd want to stop by while sightseeing! And the name is so cool with the Gaku city concept!
Hop BroExactly. It's based on Matsumoto's "Gakuto, Rakuto, and Gakuto," and I think it's interesting how they reflect local character in the labels.
MugiThe award-winning beers were Gakuto IPA and Gakuto CHOCOLATE STOUT, right?
Hop BroThat's right. Gakuto IPA won bronze, and Gakuto CHOCOLATE STOUT won silver, showing strength in steady accumulation more than flashiness.
MugiWow, refining it through comments and moving on to the next step is the best! Now I really want to drink one right away!
Hop BroThen tonight, let's toast with a glass from Matsumoto while imagining the flavor that comes after all that refinement.
