Otaru Warehouse No. 1 serves Rauchbier "Bamberger" at the March Zenibako Brewery tour
In an announcement published on February 23, 2026, Otaru Beer (Hokkaido) announced the "March Seasonal Beer Tour_Zenibako Brewery." The main attraction is the final stretch of the Bamberg-origin smoked beer "Bamberger Spezial." Alongside it, the standard Pilsner, Dunkel, and Weizen can also be enjoyed.
Hop BroOtaru Warehouse No. 1's latest topic: in the announcement published on February 23, 2026, you can drink the Rauchbier "Bamberger Spezial" in its final stretch at the March Zenibako Brewery tour!
MugiWhat! If it's the final stretch, that means it's almost over!? That's insanely rare!
Hop BroExactly. Rauchbier lives on the smoky aroma from smoked malt. It's a traditional Bamberg-style beer, and once you get into it, it's a rabbit hole you can't escape.
MugiWhat is that! "Smoky aroma from smoked malt" suddenly turned into a science lesson!
Hop BroTo put it simply, because the malt is smoked, the beer gives off a soft aroma like bacon or a campfire. It's basically a campsite before you even take a sip.
MugiWhoa, having a campfire inside a glass is too funny! And the tour has other beers too, right?
Hop BroYep, it does. The lineup also includes the standard Pilsner, Dunkel, and Weizen. It's a session where you can compare styles all at once, from classic lagers to top-fermented wheat beers.
MugiTop-fermented!? There goes another difficult word! My brain might just dissolve like foam!
Hop BroDon't worry. Put simply, it means the yeast works differently, which changes the aroma and flavor. And because Otaru Beer is based on the Purity Law and focuses on four ingredients - water, malt, hops, and yeast - the differences really stand out when you taste them side by side.
MugiIt's decided! I want to experience it together with the two-site story of Otaru Warehouse No. 1 and Zenibako, and with Bamberger Spezial in its final stretch, let's go drink it now!
The highlight of the March tour is the "final stretch" Rauchbier
According to the announcement on Otaru Beer's official website, this seasonal beer tour at the Zenibako Brewery centers on "Bamberger Spezial," a Rauchbier (smoked beer) representative of Bamberg. The post describes it as being in the "final stretch," suggesting there is only a limited window to drink it. Pilsner, Dunkel, and Weizen will also be available, making this an event where you can compare everything from a smoky specialty to classic lagers and top-fermented wheat beers.
Otaru Warehouse No. 1 and Zenibako, two brewing bases
Otaru Beer operates two locations: "Otaru Warehouse No. 1 (along the Otaru Canal)," which opened in 1995, and "Zenibako Brewery," which opened in 1999. The former is introduced as a microbrewery pub with an attached beer pub, while the latter serves as a production site that accommodates reservation-only tours. The division of roles between Warehouse No. 1, which is easy to fold into a Hokkaido/Otaru sightseeing route, and Zenibako, where you can take a close look at the brewing process, can be seen as a design that expands the brand's experiential value.
German brewing philosophy at the core of the tour experience
The company champions a brewing philosophy based on the German Beer Purity Law, using only water, malt, hops, and yeast. The on-site explanation at Otaru Warehouse No. 1 also provides a path to learn about German technical background and the differences between styles, so the tour is more than just a tasting event. This session, where you can sample Rauchbier with its aroma from smoked malt alongside the three standard beers, is a practical opportunity for craft beer fans who want to deepen their understanding of beer styles.
References
- March Seasonal Beer Tour_Zenibako Brewery
- Company Profile (Otaru Beer)
- Beer Pub "Otaru Warehouse No. 1"
- Otaru Beer's Philosophy and Spirit
Information may be inaccurate. Please refer to the brewery’s official channels for the latest details.
Hop BroOtaru Warehouse No. 1's latest topic: in the announcement published on February 23, 2026, you can drink the Rauchbier "Bamberger Spezial" in its final stretch at the March Zenibako Brewery tour!
MugiWhat! If it's the final stretch, that means it's almost over!? That's insanely rare!
Hop BroExactly. Rauchbier lives on the smoky aroma from smoked malt. It's a traditional Bamberg-style beer, and once you get into it, it's a rabbit hole you can't escape.
MugiWhat is that! "Smoky aroma from smoked malt" suddenly turned into a science lesson!
Hop BroTo put it simply, because the malt is smoked, the beer gives off a soft aroma like bacon or a campfire. It's basically a campsite before you even take a sip.
MugiWhoa, having a campfire inside a glass is too funny! And the tour has other beers too, right?
Hop BroYep, it does. The lineup also includes the standard Pilsner, Dunkel, and Weizen. It's a session where you can compare styles all at once, from classic lagers to top-fermented wheat beers.
MugiTop-fermented!? There goes another difficult word! My brain might just dissolve like foam!
Hop BroDon't worry. Put simply, it means the yeast works differently, which changes the aroma and flavor. And because Otaru Beer is based on the Purity Law and focuses on four ingredients - water, malt, hops, and yeast - the differences really stand out when you taste them side by side.
MugiIt's decided! I want to experience it together with the two-site story of Otaru Warehouse No. 1 and Zenibako, and with Bamberger Spezial in its final stretch, let's go drink it now!