Nagahama Roman Beer wins two medals at World Beer Awards 2026
Nagahama Roman Beer, based in Nagahama, Shiga, won two medals at the World Beer Awards 2026 in the UK. Its barrel-aged limited beer Barrel Aged Wee Heavy took Gold as Country Winner in Wood Aged, while Oumi Pilsner earned Silver in Czech Style Pale.
Hop BroThis is a big one today. Nagahama Roman Beer Brewery just won awards for two beers at the World Beer Awards 2026, and that is serious news out of Nagahama, Shiga.
MugiWhat! Two award winners from one brewery? Which beers made it?
Hop BroThe gold went to Barrel Aged Wee Heavy, which took Gold and Country Winner in the Wood Aged category. The silver went to Omi Pilsner in Czech Style Pale.
MugiHold on, Wee Heavy already sounds intense! Is it still beer, or are we just drinking a barrel at that point?
Hop BroIt is definitely beer. Wee Heavy is a malt-forward Scottish ale style, and with whisky barrel aging, you get layered depth and rich barrel-driven aroma.
MugiWow! Barrel-derived aromas means it gives off that grown-up whisky vibe even though it is beer? I feel like I need better posture just hearing that!
Hop BroExactly. Nagahama Roman Beer also started the Nagahama Distillery in 2016, so they work with beer and whisky under the same roof. That makes the barrel story feel very real.
MugiOkay, that tracks. But what exactly is Czech Style Pale? It sounds like something that would show up on an exam!
Hop BroBasically, it is a clean lager modeled after Czech-style pilsner. Omi Pilsner is all about drinkability and consistency, the kind you could happily reach for every day. That Silver says the standard beer is seriously well made.
MugiSo the rich limited one gets Gold, and the crisp everyday one gets Silver. That really shows their range and versatility, doesn’t it?
Hop BroThat is exactly it. A brewery founded in 1996 in Nagahama got global recognition for both a bold special release and an everyday classic. International recognition like that makes me want a pint immediately.
MugiI am done for, I want a side-by-side tasting right now! Start with the barrel-aged sipper, then finish clean and crisp with Omi Pilsner!
Results
At the `World Beer Awards 2026` in the UK, Nagahama Roman Beer earned recognition for two beers.
- `Barrel Aged Wee Heavy`: Gold (Country Winner) in Wood Aged
- `Oumi Pilsner`: Silver in Czech Style Pale
`Barrel Aged Wee Heavy` is a limited-release beer aged in whiskey barrels, a style that highlights depth, structure, and oak-driven complexity. The award puts a spotlight on the brewery's ability to work with barrel character while staying true to beer.
Nagahama Roman Beer was founded in 1996 in Nagahama, Shiga. Since then, it has operated as a craft brewery with an attached restaurant, and in 2016 it added Nagahama Distillery in the same facility. Beer and whisky now coexist under one roof, giving the brewery a distinctive identity.
This result shows both sides of that identity: the expressive range of a special release and the steady quality of a flagship beer. For beer fans, it is a noteworthy international result from one of Shiga's long-established craft breweries.
Information may be inaccurate. Please refer to the brewery’s official channels for the latest details.
Hop BroThis is a big one today. Nagahama Roman Beer Brewery just won awards for two beers at the World Beer Awards 2026, and that is serious news out of Nagahama, Shiga.
MugiWhat! Two award winners from one brewery? Which beers made it?
Hop BroThe gold went to Barrel Aged Wee Heavy, which took Gold and Country Winner in the Wood Aged category. The silver went to Omi Pilsner in Czech Style Pale.
MugiHold on, Wee Heavy already sounds intense! Is it still beer, or are we just drinking a barrel at that point?
Hop BroIt is definitely beer. Wee Heavy is a malt-forward Scottish ale style, and with whisky barrel aging, you get layered depth and rich barrel-driven aroma.
MugiWow! Barrel-derived aromas means it gives off that grown-up whisky vibe even though it is beer? I feel like I need better posture just hearing that!
Hop BroExactly. Nagahama Roman Beer also started the Nagahama Distillery in 2016, so they work with beer and whisky under the same roof. That makes the barrel story feel very real.
MugiOkay, that tracks. But what exactly is Czech Style Pale? It sounds like something that would show up on an exam!
Hop BroBasically, it is a clean lager modeled after Czech-style pilsner. Omi Pilsner is all about drinkability and consistency, the kind you could happily reach for every day. That Silver says the standard beer is seriously well made.
MugiSo the rich limited one gets Gold, and the crisp everyday one gets Silver. That really shows their range and versatility, doesn’t it?
Hop BroThat is exactly it. A brewery founded in 1996 in Nagahama got global recognition for both a bold special release and an everyday classic. International recognition like that makes me want a pint immediately.
MugiI am done for, I want a side-by-side tasting right now! Start with the barrel-aged sipper, then finish clean and crisp with Omi Pilsner!
