Dozens of Judges Just Named This Unknown Beer the “World’s Best IPA”

A relatively obscure IPA from Japan took home one of the top honors at the 2024 World Beer Awards.

Published August 9, 2024

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Updated August 9, 2024

If you visit Alpen Blick Resort in the Niigata Prefecture, you’ll find some of Japan’s widest ski slopes, mountain bike trails, scenic hot springs and, believe it or not, the “world’s best IPA,” according to dozens of beer experts.

The resort operates an onsite brewery called Myoko Kogen Beer. And its Haneuma IPA just took home one of the top honors at the 2024 World Beer Awards.

The competition “selects, awards and promotes the best beers to consumers and the trade throughout the world,” the organizer says. It has been held annually in the United Kingdom since 2007.

More than three-dozen judges from across the globe made up this year’s panel, led by British author and beer critic Pete Brown. Several of the judges have also participated in the prestigious Great American Beer Festival and World Beer Cup in the US.

It’s not immediately how many beers Haneuma IPA beat out to earn the title of the “World’s Best IPA.” However, other IPAs recognized at this year’s competition came from as far away as Germany, Belgium, Brazil and China.

An English IPA … from Japan

According to the Myoko Kogen Beer, Haneuma IPA is an English IPA — a style considered less bitter than its American or West-Coast brethren. More often than not, that’s thanks to a specific range of hops, yeast and malt varieties.

person pouring a glass of beer from a draft — Haneuma IPA is an English IPA with a 6% ABV and IBU of 40.

Interestingly, British brewers tend to favor hops like Fuggle or East Kent Goldings, whereas Myoko Kogen Beer uses Citra for Haneuma IPA. The beer has a 6% ABV and IBU of 40 — about what you’d find in a typical pale ale, though IBUs vary widely from brewer to brewer.

It wasn’t the only Myoko Kogen Beer to earn accolades at this year’s World Beer Awards. The brewery’s Pilsner, Pale Ale, Golden Ale and Dark Lager were all recognized in their respective categories with silver and bronze medals.

Worth the trip?

To make its beers, Myoko Kogen Beer, which has been in operation since 1997, uses water from region’s Myoko Kogen plateau, giving its recipes “a rich aroma and umami,” the brewery says on its website.

person looking a beer glass filled with beer — To make its unfiltered beers, Myoko Kogen Beer uses umami-rich water from the Myoko Kogen plateau.

Unfortunately, it doesn’t look like Myoko Kogen Beer distributes much beyond Japan. But before you book your ticket to Niigata Prefecture, it’s worth mentioning the reviews for Haneuma IPA on Untapped, where the beer holds a somewhat modest 3.52-star rating after more than 130 reviews.

In any case, the resort’s ski slopes do look pretty sweet …