Nara Brewing’s "Lighthouse" Wins Silver at the British IBA 2026, a Porter Triumph
On March 13, 2026, Nara Brewing (Nara) announced that its micro porter "Lighthouse" had won a Silver Award in Dark Beer - Class 1 (ABV 2.9 to 3.7%) at the International Brewing Awards 2026. Attention has also focused on the fact that the beer was recognized in the United Kingdom, where the style originated.
Hop BroBreaking news: Nara Brewing’s micro porter "Lighthouse" won Silver at the International Brewing Awards 2026! And it took the award in Dark Beer - Class 1, the category for beers in the ABV 2.9 to 3.7% range.
MugiWait, that’s a competition in the UK, right!? Winning Silver in the home of porter is seriously huge!
Hop BroThat’s the exciting part. And because the judging was blind tasting, it means the beer was evaluated on the quality of the liquid itself, not the name on the can.
MugiOhhh! So what exactly is a micro porter? A tiny porter? Is it brewed by little people?
Hop BroI’d love to see tiny brewers, but no! It means a porter designed for low alcohol, and Lighthouse is 3.0% ABV. The point is that it still delivers real drinking satisfaction despite being light.
MugiHow do you get that kind of body at 3.0%? Is it magic black beer?
Hop BroPretty close to magic, but it’s technique. They layer in cocoa- and coffee-like roast aromas using multiple roasted malts, and as the temperature rises, nutty notes also come through.
MugiWhat!? It changes character with the temperature? That’s like the two-sword style of the beer world!
Hop BroAnd the 350 ml can is nitro-conditioned. Shake it and pour it all at once, and you get a soft foam and a creamy texture. That part feels almost ritualistic, which makes it fun.
MugiI can’t take it anymore, I want to drink it right now! I’ll be the shaker, and Hop-aniki can handle the pour!
According to a post Nara Brewing published on Instagram, the award-winning beer was its micro porter "Lighthouse." The category was Dark Beer - Class 1, which covers dark beers in the low-alcohol range (ABV 2.9 to 3.7%). The award color was Silver.
The award can also be confirmed on the organizer’s results page, where it appears under the combination of `Nara Brewing Co.` and `Lighthouse`. Since judging is conducted through blind tasting, this can be seen as recognition in a competition where the beer itself, rather than the brand name, is evaluated on its overall quality.
According to Nara Brewing’s explanation, Lighthouse is designed to deliver a satisfying drinking experience despite its 3.0% ABV. By combining multiple roasted malts, it layers in aromas reminiscent of cocoa and coffee, along with nutty nuances that emerge as the beer warms. Another feature is that the 350 ml can is nitro-conditioned, allowing a creamy texture to be brought out by shaking the can and pouring it in one go.
Based in Nara, Nara Brewing is a craft brewery that has consistently shipped its beers to bars and restaurants across Japan. This award is best received as news showing that, even in the niche area of low-alcohol dark beer, the design skill and expressive range of Japanese breweries can stand up on the international stage.
References:
- Nara Brewing Instagram post
- International Brewing Awards 2026 Winners
Information may be inaccurate. Please refer to the brewery’s official channels for the latest details.
Hop BroBreaking news: Nara Brewing’s micro porter "Lighthouse" won Silver at the International Brewing Awards 2026! And it took the award in Dark Beer - Class 1, the category for beers in the ABV 2.9 to 3.7% range.
MugiWait, that’s a competition in the UK, right!? Winning Silver in the home of porter is seriously huge!
Hop BroThat’s the exciting part. And because the judging was blind tasting, it means the beer was evaluated on the quality of the liquid itself, not the name on the can.
MugiOhhh! So what exactly is a micro porter? A tiny porter? Is it brewed by little people?
Hop BroI’d love to see tiny brewers, but no! It means a porter designed for low alcohol, and Lighthouse is 3.0% ABV. The point is that it still delivers real drinking satisfaction despite being light.
MugiHow do you get that kind of body at 3.0%? Is it magic black beer?
Hop BroPretty close to magic, but it’s technique. They layer in cocoa- and coffee-like roast aromas using multiple roasted malts, and as the temperature rises, nutty notes also come through.
MugiWhat!? It changes character with the temperature? That’s like the two-sword style of the beer world!
Hop BroAnd the 350 ml can is nitro-conditioned. Shake it and pour it all at once, and you get a soft foam and a creamy texture. That part feels almost ritualistic, which makes it fun.
MugiI can’t take it anymore, I want to drink it right now! I’ll be the shaker, and Hop-aniki can handle the pour!
