Nara Brewing Co., based in Nara City, announced the first retail locations for `PERSONA`, a session IPA released on July 6, 2026. The beer was brewed as a collaboration with Bar Savant, a traditional-house bar in Naramachi, to mark the venue's fifth anniversary. It is being offered in 350 ml cans and on draft.

The beer is built around two hops: Simcoe and Sabro. Simcoe brings a bright grapefruit and citrus character, while Sabro adds notes that lean toward coconut and tropical fruit. The result is a hop-forward aroma that stays lively without feeling heavy, which fits the session IPA style well.

The collaboration was designed with beer cocktails in mind as well. Because cocktails often include liqueurs and other ingredients that raise the alcohol level, the base beer was intentionally kept on the lighter side. That gives Bar Savant room to turn the same beer into a different drink without losing the beer's own balance.

Initial shipments are going to liquor stores, department stores, and beer-focused retailers across Aomori, Tokyo, Kanagawa, Aichi, Kyoto, Osaka, Nara, and Fukuoka. Nara Brewing's online store will begin sales at noon on July 17. It is a neatly executed local collaboration: a Nara brewery and a Naramachi bar designing a beer that works both in the can and as a cocktail base.