COEDO Brewery in Kawagoe, Saitama, Takes the Top Spot in the Medium International Category at the 2026 AIBA
COEDO Brewery in Kawagoe City, Saitama Prefecture won "Champion Medium International Brewery" at the "2026 Australian International Beer Awards," one of the world's largest annual beer competitions. The announcement was made on May 15, once again underscoring its recognition on the international stage.
Hop BroCOEDO Brewery in Kawagoe won Champion Medium International Brewery. Taking the top spot in the medium international category at the AIBA in Melbourne is pretty major news, right?
MugiWhat! At one of the world's largest competitions!? So it's not just a popularity contest, but a serious judging process?
Hop BroExactly. COEDO is a brand that has grown together with agriculture in Kawagoe, and its beer making is rooted in ideas inspired by the land of Kawagoe.
MugiWhoa... but Imperial Sweet Potato Amber is so long it sounds like a spell!
Hop BroSimply put, it's an amber ale with sweetness and richness from sweet potatoes. Beniaka-Beniaka- is known for its roasted-sweet-potato-like sweetness and reddish amber color.
MugiWait, sweet potatoes in beer!? That sounds so much like a dessert!
Hop BroAnd they're using Kawagoe's traditional sweet potato, Beniaka-Beniaka-. Combined with the malt's umami, it's mellow but finishes clean.
MugiSo it's sweet but easy to drink!? That's unfair, I could keep going forever!
Hop BroWith this award, COEDO has been re-evaluated on the international stage, which means the steady accumulation of ingredient selection and brewing precision really came through.
MugiJust imagining it makes my throat want a drink... From Kawagoe to the world is way too cool!
Hop BroMakes you want to grab a glass right now. Today, I'd want to toast Melbourne with Beniaka-Beniaka-.
On May 15, at the 2026 Melbourne Royal Australian International Beer Awards held in Melbourne, Australia, COEDO Brewery in Kawagoe City, Saitama Prefecture was selected as the "Champion Medium International Brewery." In this large-scale competition, which drew breweries from around the world, it received a central honor in the international category.
COEDO is a brand that has grown alongside agriculture in Kawagoe, with parent company Kyodo Shoji at its core. According to its official website, it has been engaged in organic farming since the 1970s, and in 2006 it proposed itself as a craft beer brand inspired by the land of Kawagoe. Even now, it continues to offer a wide lineup ranging from regular beers to limited brews, steadily refining its ingredient selection and brewing precision.
The brand is also known for beers that draw on local character, such as "Beniaka-Beniaka-", made with Kawagoe's traditional sweet potato "Beniaka." This award, recognizing a brewery that has continued to brew with local roots in one of the world's largest beer competitions, is drawing attention as news that highlights COEDO's current standing. The result once again emphasizes the presence of craft beer being sent out from Kawagoe.
Information may be inaccurate. Please refer to the brewery’s official channels for the latest details.
Hop BroCOEDO Brewery in Kawagoe won Champion Medium International Brewery. Taking the top spot in the medium international category at the AIBA in Melbourne is pretty major news, right?
MugiWhat! At one of the world's largest competitions!? So it's not just a popularity contest, but a serious judging process?
Hop BroExactly. COEDO is a brand that has grown together with agriculture in Kawagoe, and its beer making is rooted in ideas inspired by the land of Kawagoe.
MugiWhoa... but Imperial Sweet Potato Amber is so long it sounds like a spell!
Hop BroSimply put, it's an amber ale with sweetness and richness from sweet potatoes. Beniaka-Beniaka- is known for its roasted-sweet-potato-like sweetness and reddish amber color.
MugiWait, sweet potatoes in beer!? That sounds so much like a dessert!
Hop BroAnd they're using Kawagoe's traditional sweet potato, Beniaka-Beniaka-. Combined with the malt's umami, it's mellow but finishes clean.
MugiSo it's sweet but easy to drink!? That's unfair, I could keep going forever!
Hop BroWith this award, COEDO has been re-evaluated on the international stage, which means the steady accumulation of ingredient selection and brewing precision really came through.
MugiJust imagining it makes my throat want a drink... From Kawagoe to the world is way too cool!
Hop BroMakes you want to grab a glass right now. Today, I'd want to toast Melbourne with Beniaka-Beniaka-.
