Setouchi Brewery Wins Three Awards at JGBA 2026; Two Core Beers Take Bronze, One Limited Release Takes Silver
Setouchi Brewery (SETOUCHI BEER) in Takamatsu, Kagawa Prefecture, announced on March 10, 2026, that three of its beers won awards at the Japan Great Beer Awards 2026. Its core IPA and LAGER took bronze, while the limited APRICOT WEIZEN won silver.
Hop BroBreaking news: Setouchi Brewery in Takamatsu, Kagawa won three awards at JGBA 2026! SETOUCHI IPA and SETOUCHI LAGER took bronze, and the limited SETOUCHI APRICOT WEIZEN took silver!
MugiWhat! Three at once!? And the limited one got silver? That’s way too strong!
Hop BroAnd all of them were in the keg category. The IPA is American-style India Pale Ale, the LAGER is International-Style Pilsner, and the APRICOT WEIZEN is Fruit Wheat Beer.
MugiAll that jargon vanished like foam! What is the keg category!? Is weizen like wheat bread!?
Hop BroTo put it simply, keg means judging for draft beer. Weizen is a style that uses wheat malt, and APRICOT WEIZEN layers apricot fruit character on top of that. It’s the kind that has a really nice aroma.
MugiOhh! So it means "fruity and soft, but still definitely beer"! Now I suddenly feel like I can drink it!
Hop BroExactly. Since starting brewing in 2021, Setouchi Brewery has been making more than 70 kinds of beer every year, so its range is broad across both core and limited releases. This award really proves that, doesn't it?
MugiMore than 70 kinds every year!? Maybe the brewer has three arms!
Hop BroAnd JGBA uses an absolute evaluation system, so beers are judged on whether they meet the standard, not on a fixed quota per style. Winning three awards there is a big deal.
MugiI've decided! Let's get the tasting set of the three award winners! I'll start with the APRICOT WEIZEN, and Hop, you take the IPA!
Hop BroSounds good. Let's finish with a crisp LAGER at the end. A night of traveling through the Setouchi landscape in a glass begins now!
According to an announcement posted on Setouchi Brewery's official website, the following three beers received awards.
Award Results (Japan Great Beer Awards 2026)
- Bronze: SETOUCHI IPA (Keg category / American-Style India Pale Ale)
- Bronze: SETOUCHI LAGER (Keg category / International-Style Pilsner)
- Silver: SETOUCHI APRICOT WEIZEN (Keg category / Fruit Wheat Beer)
The brewery is based in Takamatsu, Kagawa, and aims to make beers that reflect the character of the Setouchi region. In its official "ABOUT US" section, it says that since starting brewing in 2021, it has produced more than 70 types of beer every year, offering a broad lineup ranging from core beers to seasonal limited releases.
This announcement also noted that judging at the awards is conducted using an "absolute evaluation" method, meaning there is no cap on the number of winners within each style category. Against that backdrop, the three beers were recognized in a competition where the number of awards per style is not limited. To celebrate the win, the official online store is also offering a special set that lets customers compare the three award-winning beers.
The strong results from two core beers designed with the local Setouchi landscape and climate in mind, along with one limited beer that foregrounds fruitiness, suggest the brewery's design skill and range of styles are both highly regarded.
Sources:
- SETOUCHI BEER News
- SETOUCHI BEER ABOUT US
Information may be inaccurate. Please refer to the brewery’s official channels for the latest details.
Hop BroBreaking news: Setouchi Brewery in Takamatsu, Kagawa won three awards at JGBA 2026! SETOUCHI IPA and SETOUCHI LAGER took bronze, and the limited SETOUCHI APRICOT WEIZEN took silver!
MugiWhat! Three at once!? And the limited one got silver? That’s way too strong!
Hop BroAnd all of them were in the keg category. The IPA is American-style India Pale Ale, the LAGER is International-Style Pilsner, and the APRICOT WEIZEN is Fruit Wheat Beer.
MugiAll that jargon vanished like foam! What is the keg category!? Is weizen like wheat bread!?
Hop BroTo put it simply, keg means judging for draft beer. Weizen is a style that uses wheat malt, and APRICOT WEIZEN layers apricot fruit character on top of that. It’s the kind that has a really nice aroma.
MugiOhh! So it means "fruity and soft, but still definitely beer"! Now I suddenly feel like I can drink it!
Hop BroExactly. Since starting brewing in 2021, Setouchi Brewery has been making more than 70 kinds of beer every year, so its range is broad across both core and limited releases. This award really proves that, doesn't it?
MugiMore than 70 kinds every year!? Maybe the brewer has three arms!
Hop BroAnd JGBA uses an absolute evaluation system, so beers are judged on whether they meet the standard, not on a fixed quota per style. Winning three awards there is a big deal.
MugiI've decided! Let's get the tasting set of the three award winners! I'll start with the APRICOT WEIZEN, and Hop, you take the IPA!
Hop BroSounds good. Let's finish with a crisp LAGER at the end. A night of traveling through the Setouchi landscape in a glass begins now!
