Tradition and Innovation in German Beer Unite! Schmatz x Baeren Brewery Collaboration Beer Released
The first seasonal beer of 2026 is a collaboration between Schmatz and Baeren Brewery from Iwate!
This limited-edition beer for "Kanpai" (cheers) was born from the fusion of Baeren Brewery, which continues to brew local beer while inheriting German brewing traditions, and the sensibilities of Schmatz's staff.
In this column, we'll passionately share the story behind the development and the bond between the two brands. Come and experience this "sound of happiness" at our restaurants.
Table of Contents
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Introduction: A special brew where Japanese and German beer cultures intersect
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Schmatz and Baeren Brewery: Why were these two drawn to each other?
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Schmatz's journey: From Hamburg to Nakameguro, a spirit of innovation
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Baeren Brewery's journey: 100-year-old equipment to Iwate, guardians of tradition
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[Development Secrets] The making of "the best brew" co-created with restaurant staff
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Bringing voices from the field to life: The perspective of staff who best know what customers find "delicious"
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Concept: "A celebratory beer as glamorous as champagne"
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The taste and commitment of the first collaboration beer
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Baeren's first challenge: Clean yeast and carefully selected hop aromas
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Why you should drink this beer in January-February
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Experience the new form of authentic German beer at Schmatz
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Recommended pairing: A blissful marriage with German cuisine
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Where to drink? How to enjoy at our restaurants
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Summary: A single beer connecting Iwate, Germany, and your time
Introduction: A special brew where Japanese and German beer cultures intersect
"Schmatz" is a German word meaning the sound one makes with their tongue when eating something delicious, or the "sound of happiness." To deliver this "sound of happiness" across Japan, we have developed restaurants where people can easily enjoy authentic German flavors.
This time, our new challenge is a collaboration with "Baeren Brewery," based in Morioka, Iwate Prefecture.
Schmatz, which expresses modern German culture primarily in Tokyo, and Baeren Brewery, which inherited traditional German brewing using 100-year-old equipment, have joined forces. These seemingly contrasting entities have created the "ultimate beer experience" fitting to mark the beginning of 2026.
Why did we team up with Baeren Brewery? And what thoughts did we put into this one brew? We'll take you behind the scenes!
Schmatz and Baeren Brewery: Why were these two drawn to each other?
Schmatz's journey: From Hamburg to Nakameguro, a spirit of innovation
Schmatz's history began with the passion of two childhood friends from Hamburg, Marc Rüttgen and Christopher Axt. Leaving Germany, they started their venture in Japan with a single food truck that they painted themselves from a used one.
Initially, it was a continuous struggle, but they had an unwavering mission: "to deliver cool, modern, authentic German culture to Japan."
"Schmatz original beer," carefully brewed based on the "Reinheitsgebot" (German Beer Purity Law), fresh and unique. This dedication attracted many fans, and today, Schmatz has grown to over 30 locations, primarily in the Tokyo metropolitan area.
Baeren Brewery's journey: 100-year-old equipment to Iwate, guardians of tradition
On the other hand, Baeren Brewery in Iwate is truly a "guardian of tradition." To brew "authentic German beer," they relocated a 100-year-old copper brewing kettle from a town in southern Germany to Japan.
Unlike modern, efficient stainless steel equipment, this old copper kettle has unique heat conduction that imparts a deep richness and caramel-like aroma to the wort. Furthermore, they maintain a brewing style that spares no effort or time, including using a "coolship" (open cooling vessel), which is extremely rare in Japan. (*Not used in this collaboration beer)
[Development Secrets] The making of "the best brew" co-created with restaurant staff
Bringing voices from the field to life: The perspective of staff who best know what customers find "delicious"
Our commitment to this collaboration beer was "to incorporate voices from the field." Instead of deciding everything in the head office conference room, we proceeded with planning alongside Schmatz's restaurant staff, who interact with customers daily and witness their joy firsthand.
During planning meetings, we discussed questions like "What kind of beer are customers interested in?" and "What kind of beer experience satisfies customers?" The staff shared the sentiment that "the impression of the first beer sets the tone for the entire day's experience."
Concept: "A celebratory beer as glamorous as champagne"
Especially from January to February, it's a crucial period for new year celebrations and for customers who discovered Schmatz at year-end parties to revisit. Therefore, the answer we arrived at was "a celebratory drink as glamorous and exciting as champagne or cider."
We aimed for a light and special brew that would make even those who don't usually drink much beer, women, and seniors feel, "Beer can be this fun and delicious!"
The taste and commitment of the first collaboration beer
Baeren's first challenge: Clean yeast and carefully selected hop aromas
To bring this ideal to life, Baeren Brewery undertook an unprecedented challenge: using a "very clean fermenting yeast," a first for Baeren.
While based on a Pilsner or session lager, it generously uses carefully selected German hops. Delicate and glamorous aromas of green apple, pear, and citrus emerge. Upon tasting, fine carbonation playfully dances, offering a dry and crisp finish.
It truly is a luxurious and unique creation, perfect for a "Kanpai" to celebrate the New Year.
Why you should drink this beer in January-February
When you think of winter, you might imagine rich, heavy beers. However, for lively party scenes with friends, we believe that a "session" style, which you can drink many glasses of without getting tired, yet still feels special, offers the ultimate hospitality (Gastfreundschaft).
Experience the new form of authentic German beer at Schmatz
Recommended pairing: A blissful marriage with German cuisine
This light and glamorous collaboration beer pairs excellently with Schmatz's signature dishes.
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Sausage platter: The beer's dry crispness enhances the snappy texture and juicy flavor of the sausages.
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Prosciutto and cheese: The fruity aroma of the beer harmonizes perfectly with the saltiness of the ingredients.
Where to drink? How to enjoy at our restaurants
This special collaboration beer will be available at Schmatz restaurants starting mid-January 2026.
*Beer lineup and availability may vary by restaurant. Please contact the restaurant directly for details.
Each staff member, with the story of this beer's development in mind, will fully support your "Kanpai" moments.
Summary: A single beer connecting Iwate, Germany, and your time
This collaboration beer, born from the convergence of "modern Germany" brought by childhood friends from Hamburg and "traditional Germany" preserved by artisans in Morioka, is our pride.
Please enjoy this brew, "a gift for those who love authenticity," with your loved ones. We hope the "sound of happiness" when clinking glasses brightly illuminates your 2026.
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Why not celebrate the New Year with a collaboration beer filled with the passion of "authentic German brewing"? All of our staff eagerly await your "Kanpai" at your nearest Schmatz restaurant!
