Baeren Brewery to Release Limited Kölsch "Colonia" on April 20, Recreating the Flavor from Its Founding
On April 20, Baeren Brewery will release the limited-edition "Baeren Colonia," based on the beer it first brewed when it was founded. It reintroduces a light, easy-drinking take on Kölsch, the traditional beer of Cologne, Germany.
Hop BroBaeren Brewery will release the limited Kölsch "Colonia" on April 20, recreating the flavor from its founding days. A return to the roots like that is irresistible news for beer lovers, isn't it?
MugiWait, so the founding recipe means they’re bringing back the old taste just as it was? That’s romantic, and it already sounds delicious!
Hop BroExactly. And the style is the traditional Kölsch that originated in Cologne, Germany. The name "Colonia" also comes from Cologne’s older name, so it clearly shows respect for the place.
MugiKölsch throws out a tough term like top-fermenting yeast all of a sudden! What’s the difference?
Hop BroRoughly speaking, it’s an ale-type fermentation, so the aroma comes through more vividly. That’s why Kölsch’s hallmark is that it’s bright and light, yet goes down smoothly.
MugiOh, I get it! And in the region they drink it from 200 ml glasses over and over, which is kind of cute. So it’s not sipping slowly, but a culture of repeated refills!
Hop BroThat’s the interesting part, and Baeren values that drinkability too. The ingredients are only malt and hops, and with an alcohol content of 5.0%, it’s a beer that wins with simplicity.
MugiWow, such clean ingredients! With something like this, the balance of flavor must matter a lot because there’s nothing extra in the way. Now I’m even more curious!
Hop BroBaeren Brewery is a brewery in Kitayama, Morioka City, where master brewers handcraft the beer using equipment relocated from Germany. That approach to tradition shows through in Colonia as well.
MugiI see, that’s why it feels like a tradition rooted in the region! And yet it still has the character of an Iwate brewery, which is great.
Hop BroAnd the pairing range is wide too. It goes with more than just sausages; it also pairs well with Chinese food and tempura, so it covers a pretty broad range of meals.
MugiWhat a best-case scenario! Just imagining a glass on release day already makes me want to drink it, and this is definitely the kind of beer that makes us want a second round right away!
Limited release returning to the founding recipe
On April 20, 2026, Baeren Brewery will begin selling the limited-edition "Baeren Colonia." The product is based on the beer the company first brewed when it was founded in 2003. Marking the 23rd year since it began making beer, the brewery is once again highlighting the flavor that represents its starting point.
Product design that respects the tradition of Kölsch
The style is "Kölsch," which originated in Cologne, Germany. Baeren chose the old name for Cologne, "Colonia," for the product name, signaling respect for local rules and tradition. It is characterized by the bright aroma derived from top-fermenting yeast and a crisp, easy-drinking quality. In its home region, there is said to be a custom of enjoying many glasses from tall 200 ml glasses.
According to Baeren, this drinkability, where "you can keep drinking glass after glass," and its sense of locality align with the company's own philosophy of brewing. The ingredients are only malt and hops, and the alcohol content is 5.0%. The suggested retail price is 452 yen (tax included).
Background that feels true to a Morioka brewery
Baeren Brewery's brewery is located in Kitayama, Morioka City, Iwate Prefecture, where master brewers handcraft the beer using equipment relocated from Germany, including a brewhouse over 100 years old. As a brewery that has sent out locally rooted craft beer while valuing Europe's traditional beer culture, this reinterpretation of a traditional style is a move that feels distinctly Baeren.
A beer with broad pairing possibilities
Suggested pairings include sausages, Chinese dishes, wild vegetable and vegetable tempura, and Halve Hahn (rye bread and cheese). It is sold at the Kitayama factory direct shop, the Baeren Web Shop, company-owned restaurants, as well as supermarkets, liquor stores, department stores, and antenna shops in the prefecture. Shipment dates differ depending on the sales channel and whether it is bottled or kegged, so it is worth checking availability timing.
Information may be inaccurate. Please refer to the brewery’s official channels for the latest details.
Hop BroBaeren Brewery will release the limited Kölsch "Colonia" on April 20, recreating the flavor from its founding days. A return to the roots like that is irresistible news for beer lovers, isn't it?
MugiWait, so the founding recipe means they’re bringing back the old taste just as it was? That’s romantic, and it already sounds delicious!
Hop BroExactly. And the style is the traditional Kölsch that originated in Cologne, Germany. The name "Colonia" also comes from Cologne’s older name, so it clearly shows respect for the place.
MugiKölsch throws out a tough term like top-fermenting yeast all of a sudden! What’s the difference?
Hop BroRoughly speaking, it’s an ale-type fermentation, so the aroma comes through more vividly. That’s why Kölsch’s hallmark is that it’s bright and light, yet goes down smoothly.
MugiOh, I get it! And in the region they drink it from 200 ml glasses over and over, which is kind of cute. So it’s not sipping slowly, but a culture of repeated refills!
Hop BroThat’s the interesting part, and Baeren values that drinkability too. The ingredients are only malt and hops, and with an alcohol content of 5.0%, it’s a beer that wins with simplicity.
MugiWow, such clean ingredients! With something like this, the balance of flavor must matter a lot because there’s nothing extra in the way. Now I’m even more curious!
Hop BroBaeren Brewery is a brewery in Kitayama, Morioka City, where master brewers handcraft the beer using equipment relocated from Germany. That approach to tradition shows through in Colonia as well.
MugiI see, that’s why it feels like a tradition rooted in the region! And yet it still has the character of an Iwate brewery, which is great.
Hop BroAnd the pairing range is wide too. It goes with more than just sausages; it also pairs well with Chinese food and tempura, so it covers a pretty broad range of meals.
MugiWhat a best-case scenario! Just imagining a glass on release day already makes me want to drink it, and this is definitely the kind of beer that makes us want a second round right away!
