Shimanami Brewery, based in Onomichi, Hiroshima, released "Lager Strikes Back 01 Smoke Lager" on May 19, 2026 — the first entry in a new craft lager series created to highlight the versatility and depth that lager-style beer can express.
A New Series for Craft Lager Fans
Japan's craft beer market has largely been driven by ales, whose vibrant aromas and expressive flavor profiles have helped define what "craft beer" means to many drinkers. Lagers, by contrast, have typically been described as "clean," "easy-drinking," or "familiar" — rarely celebrated for the same complexity as their ale counterparts.
The "Lager Strikes Back" series was developed to challenge that perception. Lagers can express the character of malt, the nuance of low-temperature fermentation and aging, and a depth that comes from thoughtful ingredient combinations — qualities that shine through precision rather than boldness. The series name carries the hope of a craft lager renaissance: a reminder that craft beer is not just about ales, and that lagers have their own compelling story to tell.
Lager Strikes Back 01: Smoke Lager
The first release in the series is a smoked lager brewed using German smoked malt. The beer opens with a gently rising smokiness on the nose, followed on the palate by soft malt sweetness and a toasty warmth derived from the malt itself.
The base malt is a blend of Canadian and German pilsner malts, producing a slightly deeper golden color. The balance was carefully calibrated so the smoky character comes through without overpowering the finish — which, true to lager form, fades clean and light.
Smoked beers sometimes carry an image of being intense or niche. "Lager Strikes Back 01" takes a different approach, pairing the aromatic impression of smoke with the refreshing lightness characteristic of a well-made lager. The smoky personality greets you on the first sip, then gradually gives way to a crisp, approachable finish as you drink on.
Food Pairings
The Smoke Lager works well with a broad range of food, particularly dishes with grilled or smoky notes — BBQ, bacon, sausages, hot sandwiches, baguettes, and burgers all pair naturally. The beer is designed to be enjoyed not only with elaborate food pairings but also as a casual companion to everyday meals.
Product Details
- Style: Smoke Lager
- Alcohol: 5.5%
- Volume: 370ml
- Ingredients: Malt (made in Germany, made in Canada), Hops
- Best Before: 6 months
- Storage: Keep refrigerated
The beer is available through the Shimanami Brewery online shop.
What Makes Shimanami Brewery's Craft Beers Stand Out
Shimanami Brewery's beers are known for their clean, pure flavor — the result of the brewer's experience and meticulous temperature management throughout the process. Many who have tried them note that the beers are so smooth and easy-drinking that the glass seems to empty before they realize it.
The Flagship Lineup
Left: Strike Pilsner / Right: First Lager
The brewery's two flagship beers are the Strike Pilsner — conceived as "the center strike of lager" — and the First Lager, developed as the ideal first pour of the night. Both represent the full breadth of expertise that brewer Kazato Matsuoka has accumulated over his career in craft lager. The names draw from baseball vocabulary, a nod to Matsuoka's well-known love of the Hiroshima Carp.
Both flagships use a blend of German malt, valued for its strong malt character, and Canadian malt, prized for its enzymatic power and clean finish — combined at proportions refined through years of hands-on experience.
World Beer Awards Recognition
Strike Pilsner took the Country Winner honor — the highest award within Japan — in the Classic Pilsner category at both the World Beer Awards 2024 and the World Beer Awards 2025, earning top-of-Japan recognition for two consecutive years.
Good Design Award
Shimanami Super Lemon Sour received a 2025 Good Design Award (organized by the Japan Institute of Design Promotion) on October 15. It is reported to be the first craft beer from a domestic microbrewery to receive this recognition.
Through the "Lager Strikes Back" series, Shimanami Brewery plans to continue proposing new ways to enjoy craft lager going forward.
