The scorching summer heat in Japan feels almost torturous. Just standing feels like an achievement—working? That’s heroic! After sweating through the day, there's no better reward than a delicious beer to quench your dry throat. As someone who loves craft beer, I’d like to introduce the perfect beer for summer.
This time, it's "The Day N Classic" from Baeren Beer, an easy-to-drink German lager, even for craft beer beginners.
Baeren Beer "The Day N Classic"
Baeren Brewery, located in Morioka City, Iwate Prefecture, was founded in 2001. It’s a relatively new company with a wide range of unique products, including not only their classic ales but also more unusual options like coffee stout and chocolate beer. Their lemon beer, the "Lemon Radler," made with lemonade, is also popular.
Today, I’m introducing "The Day N Classic," a German lager brewed using traditional methods by Baeren Brewery.
One of the World's Four Major Lagers: Dortmunder
When it comes to beer styles that are widely available in Japan, lager takes the crown. In fact, saying it’s "widely available" doesn’t even begin to describe it. In Japan, beer is almost synonymous with lager. It’s so ingrained in the Japanese palate.
Perhaps as a reaction to this dominance, many people tend to associate craft beer with ales. It’s easy to see why people assume craft beer equals ale, given how the Japanese beer market has been dominated by lagers for so long.
The Day N Classic follows the Dortmunder beer style, which originated in Dortmund, the heart of beer culture. This style, born in 19th-century Europe, is one of the world’s four major lagers.
With an alcohol content of 6.0%, it’s on the stronger side, but thanks to the lightness typical of lagers, it’s still very easy to drink. Its IBU (International Bitterness Units) is 26. Since typical lagers range between 10 to 30 IBU, you’ll likely find its bitterness pleasantly familiar.
You Can Tell the Difference When You Know It Well!
Lager is so familiar that we tend to drink it without thinking twice. But when you’re used to a taste, you can really appreciate the difference in a product that’s been carefully crafted. Compared to regular beers, this one stands out with its richness. It’s refreshing and easy to drink but offers a solid depth of flavor.
As a gift, it could be an excellent alternative to high-end beers from major brands. Baeren Brewery also offers a variety of glassware and other goods, so it’s fun to explore their options.
