Yo-Ho Brewing’s Yamanoue New'ee wins Gold again at KIBA 2026
Yo-Ho Brewing, based in Nagano, said its craft beer Yamanoue New'ee won Gold at KIBA 2026, the Korea International Beer Awards. The result marks a second straight Gold for the beer and highlights the brewery’s hop-driven, regionally rooted approach.
Hop BroYou have to hear this: YOHO Brewing's Yama no Ue Newee just won Gold at KIBA 2026 again. Back-to-back wins is a pretty big deal.
MugiWait, back-to-back Golds? That's huge! I don't really know KIBA though, is it that major?
Hop BroIt is, yeah. KIBA judges style accuracy, balance, drinkability, and overall impression, so a beer can't win Gold just by being flashy.
MugiWhat even is style accuracy? That suddenly sounds like a school exam. Beer has model answers now?
Hop BroBasically, yes. Yama no Ue Newee is designed as a Koshin Noble Hop Ale, and its strength is how cleanly it delivers the aroma and easy finish it's aiming for.
MugiNo way, noble hops sounds so dramatic. Are they classy hops with tiny crowns on?
Hop BroFancy name, simple idea: elegant, herbal hop character. It uses six different hops, including Shinshu Wase and Kaikogane, to layer lemongrass-like notes with a foresty aroma.
MugiOkay, that sounds amazing. A forest-like aroma with lemongrass? That's like a mountain walk somehow turned into beer. And 4.5% ABV sounds super approachable!
Hop BroThat's another key point: in 2025 they announced 100% domestic hops. They're really turning the ingredients and climate of Miyota, Nagano into flavor.
MugiNow I get it. If drinkability and design both land, no wonder international judges went for it. I suddenly need a glass of this.
Hop BroExactly. It's not just loud bitterness; the whole impression is dialed in. This feels like the perfect beer for tonight already.
MugiTotally! Next time I see it, I want to drink it with mountain-top vibes... or honestly, let's just run to a beer bar right now!
Award overview
Yo-Ho Brewing's Yamanoue New'ee won Gold at KIBA 2026, the Korea International Beer Awards. The brewery's Instagram post said the beer earned Gold again this year, making it a consecutive win.
About the beer
Yamanoue New'ee is a Koshin Noble Hop Ale brewed with six hops, including Shinshu Wase and Kaikogane, two varieties with roots in Nagano and Yamanashi. The beer is built around a fresh herbal aroma reminiscent of lemongrass and forest notes, plus a light, easy-drinking profile. It sits at 4.5% ABV. In 2025, Yo-Ho Brewing also said the share of domestic hops used in the beer had been raised to 100%.
Why it matters
KIBA awards Gold to beers that score highly on balance, drinkability, overall impression, and style fit. For a brewery based in Nagano, the result reinforces a long-running approach: making beers that express local ingredients and regional character without losing drinkability.
References: Yo-Ho Brewing product page / Yo-Ho Brewing release / KIBA official
Information may be inaccurate. Please refer to the brewery’s official channels for the latest details.
Hop BroYou have to hear this: YOHO Brewing's Yama no Ue Newee just won Gold at KIBA 2026 again. Back-to-back wins is a pretty big deal.
MugiWait, back-to-back Golds? That's huge! I don't really know KIBA though, is it that major?
Hop BroIt is, yeah. KIBA judges style accuracy, balance, drinkability, and overall impression, so a beer can't win Gold just by being flashy.
MugiWhat even is style accuracy? That suddenly sounds like a school exam. Beer has model answers now?
Hop BroBasically, yes. Yama no Ue Newee is designed as a Koshin Noble Hop Ale, and its strength is how cleanly it delivers the aroma and easy finish it's aiming for.
MugiNo way, noble hops sounds so dramatic. Are they classy hops with tiny crowns on?
Hop BroFancy name, simple idea: elegant, herbal hop character. It uses six different hops, including Shinshu Wase and Kaikogane, to layer lemongrass-like notes with a foresty aroma.
MugiOkay, that sounds amazing. A forest-like aroma with lemongrass? That's like a mountain walk somehow turned into beer. And 4.5% ABV sounds super approachable!
Hop BroThat's another key point: in 2025 they announced 100% domestic hops. They're really turning the ingredients and climate of Miyota, Nagano into flavor.
MugiNow I get it. If drinkability and design both land, no wonder international judges went for it. I suddenly need a glass of this.
Hop BroExactly. It's not just loud bitterness; the whole impression is dialed in. This feels like the perfect beer for tonight already.
MugiTotally! Next time I see it, I want to drink it with mountain-top vibes... or honestly, let's just run to a beer bar right now!
