Baeren Brewery Releases Limited-Edition Anniversary Lager with Mikkeller
On February 25, 2026, Baeren Brewery released "Mikkeller x Baeren Coolship Vienna Lager." It is a special collaboration beer brewed with New Zealand hops and made using the wort-cooling equipment called a "coolship," which Baeren says it uniquely owns in Japan.
Hop BroThis article is hot off the press! On February 25, 2026, Baeren Brewery released its sixth-anniversary collaboration with Mikkeller, "Mikkeller x Baeren Coolship Vienna Lager."
MugiWhoa! Six years already? And that name sounds intense!
Hop BroThe style is a Vienna lager. It’s built on a rich malt backbone, then layered with a modern aroma from New Zealand hops.
MugiI kind of get Vienna lager... but what on earth is a coolship? A cold ship?
Hop BroNot a ship, not a ship! It’s a shallow piece of equipment used to cool wort, and Baeren says it’s the only one of its kind in Japan. Using hops there is the unique approach that makes this beer special.
MugiOhh! But isn’t hops just for bitterness?
Hop BroThat’s the part beer nerds love. They split the work between "Bullet" for bitterness and the new variety "Experimental076" for aroma. It’s a division of labor that creates depth.
MugiThat sounds like a project team! So it’s like the malt richness gets a bright little sparkle on top?
Hop BroExactly. Baeren’s approach of respecting tradition while bringing in new methods really comes through in this sixth-year collaboration with Mikkeller.
MugiI already want to drink it! Let’s check Baeren’s official web shop and Rakuten shop right now. Tonight calls for a toast!
Baeren Brewery (Iwate) has released a new beer, "Mikkeller x Baeren Coolship Vienna Lager," created in collaboration with the global beer brand Mikkeller. According to the official announcement, 2026 marks the partnership's sixth year. To mark the milestone, the beer has been updated in both ingredients and process.
The core of this design is the "coolship" wort-cooling equipment, which Baeren says it is the only brewery in Japan to possess. The brewery says it aimed for a layered aroma by combining its original dry-hopping approach, in which hops are added during the coolship stage, with wort that has been given more body through boiling.
The hops used are New Zealand varieties, which have been attracting attention in recent years. "Bullet" is used for bittering, while the new variety "Experimental076" is used for aroma, layering a vivid hop aroma over the rich malt character typical of a Vienna lager. The appeal of this beer lies in its structure, which adds a modern hop expression to a more traditional lager style.
Baeren Brewery is headquartered in the Kitayama district of Morioka, Iwate Prefecture, and was founded in 2001. On its official website, it states that it values brewing that respects traditional European beer culture, and that stance is clearly reflected in this collaboration as well. While centering on a historic style, it incorporates new hops and methods. The sixth year of the partnership appears to be a release that more clearly defines the direction of both sides.
Sales are being announced through Baeren's official web shop and Rakuten shop.
Information may be inaccurate. Please refer to the brewery’s official channels for the latest details.
Hop BroThis article is hot off the press! On February 25, 2026, Baeren Brewery released its sixth-anniversary collaboration with Mikkeller, "Mikkeller x Baeren Coolship Vienna Lager."
MugiWhoa! Six years already? And that name sounds intense!
Hop BroThe style is a Vienna lager. It’s built on a rich malt backbone, then layered with a modern aroma from New Zealand hops.
MugiI kind of get Vienna lager... but what on earth is a coolship? A cold ship?
Hop BroNot a ship, not a ship! It’s a shallow piece of equipment used to cool wort, and Baeren says it’s the only one of its kind in Japan. Using hops there is the unique approach that makes this beer special.
MugiOhh! But isn’t hops just for bitterness?
Hop BroThat’s the part beer nerds love. They split the work between "Bullet" for bitterness and the new variety "Experimental076" for aroma. It’s a division of labor that creates depth.
MugiThat sounds like a project team! So it’s like the malt richness gets a bright little sparkle on top?
Hop BroExactly. Baeren’s approach of respecting tradition while bringing in new methods really comes through in this sixth-year collaboration with Mikkeller.
MugiI already want to drink it! Let’s check Baeren’s official web shop and Rakuten shop right now. Tonight calls for a toast!
