Nara Brewing Wins Gold for Two Beers at World Beer Cup 2026, Announces Award Celebration Campaign
Nara Brewing in Nara City announced that FUNCTION and LIGHTHOUSE won gold medals at the World Beer Cup 2026, one of the world’s premier beer competitions. LIGHTHOUSE follows its silver at this year’s International Brewing Awards in March, and the company is also promoting a giveaway campaign to celebrate the win on Instagram.
Hop BroToday’s story is about Nara Brewing coming through big, taking home gold medals for two beers at the World Beer Cup 2026.
MugiWait, at a global competition like that!? Two awards at once is seriously impressive, right?
Hop BroExactly. Their core beers FUNCTION and LIGHTHOUSE both won gold, and FUNCTION was in the American-Belgo-Style Ale category.
MugiAmerican... Belgo... Style... huh, the name alone is a traffic jam!
Hop BroBasically, it’s a style that layers Belgian yeast character onto an American brewing approach. It tends to bring out aroma and complexity.
MugiI see! Then what about LIGHTHOUSE? Session Beer category means something easy to drink, right?
Hop BroExactly. LIGHTHOUSE is a 3.0% low-alcohol design, and it’s a micro porter too.
MugiA micro porter with low alcohol!? And it even has cacao and coffee-like roasted notes?
Hop BroIt does. And as the temperature rises, nutty nuances come out, while the nitro can gives it an especially smooth mouthfeel.
MugiAnd on top of that, it follows up this March’s IBA silver with gold, so its reputation just keeps climbing!
Hop BroThey started brewing in Nara in 2018 and have made more than 160 different beers. They also have a giveaway campaign up on Instagram to celebrate the award, so this is definitely the kind of news that makes you want to drink one.
MugiI know, I want to go right now! I want to toast the award and compare FUNCTION and LIGHTHOUSE side by side!
Nara Brewing is stacking up major results in international competitions. At the World Beer Cup 2026, held in the United States on April 23, 2026, its core beers `FUNCTION` and `LIGHTHOUSE` each won gold medals. `FUNCTION` won in the American-Belgo-Style Ale category, while `LIGHTHOUSE` won in the Session Beer category. It was the first gold medal ever awarded to a Japanese beer in the Session Beer category.
`LIGHTHOUSE` is a micro porter built with layered roasted malts. Despite its low-alcohol design at just 3.0%, it is defined by aromas reminiscent of cacao and coffee, nutty nuances that emerge as the temperature rises, and the smooth mouthfeel made possible by its nitro can format. According to Nara Brewing’s website, the same beer also received a silver medal at the 2026 International Brewing Awards, and this latest gold further elevates its reputation.
The company began brewing in Nara in 2018 and has produced more than 160 different beers while carrying the banner of "the joy of choosing beer." Its broad lineup, from core offerings to collaborations, has helped lead to this latest recognition. Instagram is also announcing a giveaway campaign to commemorate the award, making this a chance for fans to share in the milestone along with the flavor.
Information may be inaccurate. Please refer to the brewery’s official channels for the latest details.
Hop BroToday’s story is about Nara Brewing coming through big, taking home gold medals for two beers at the World Beer Cup 2026.
MugiWait, at a global competition like that!? Two awards at once is seriously impressive, right?
Hop BroExactly. Their core beers FUNCTION and LIGHTHOUSE both won gold, and FUNCTION was in the American-Belgo-Style Ale category.
MugiAmerican... Belgo... Style... huh, the name alone is a traffic jam!
Hop BroBasically, it’s a style that layers Belgian yeast character onto an American brewing approach. It tends to bring out aroma and complexity.
MugiI see! Then what about LIGHTHOUSE? Session Beer category means something easy to drink, right?
Hop BroExactly. LIGHTHOUSE is a 3.0% low-alcohol design, and it’s a micro porter too.
MugiA micro porter with low alcohol!? And it even has cacao and coffee-like roasted notes?
Hop BroIt does. And as the temperature rises, nutty nuances come out, while the nitro can gives it an especially smooth mouthfeel.
MugiAnd on top of that, it follows up this March’s IBA silver with gold, so its reputation just keeps climbing!
Hop BroThey started brewing in Nara in 2018 and have made more than 160 different beers. They also have a giveaway campaign up on Instagram to celebrate the award, so this is definitely the kind of news that makes you want to drink one.
MugiI know, I want to go right now! I want to toast the award and compare FUNCTION and LIGHTHOUSE side by side!
