japanese beer
Beer is big in Japan. According to Kirin University (who knew that was a thing?!) Japan is the seventh largest beer-consuming country in the world. In 2016, Japan drunk an estimated 5,251,000 kl of beer. That’s a lot of hangovers.
Although pilsner style pale lagers are the most commonly produced beer in Japan, the Japanese are also fond of happoshu (発泡酒). Happoshu is a bubbly, and conveniently low tax, beer-like beverage, with less than 67% malt.
Beer was introduced to Japan way back during the Edo period, by Dutch tradesman. Beer was sold as cheap alcohol for the Japanese sailors trading for the Dutch empire. Beer became popular again when Japan reopened foreign trade during the Meiji period (1868- 1912). This was the beginning of the main beer producers in Japan who still reign the most popular beer brands today.
Japanese beer brands
There are a few Japanese beer brands readily available in the UK. Some you have probably heard of. The top four beer producers in Japan are Suntory, Sapporo, Kirin & Asahi.
Asahi
Asahi (translation: ‘morning sun’), was founded in in 1889 by Komakichi Torii. It was originally named the Osaka Beer Company. It was this brewery that created what is considered the first ‘authentic’ Japanese beer. Keen innovators, Asahi created the first Japanese canned beer and the famous ‘super dry’ beer.
Asahi Super Dry was launched in 1987 and revolutionized the Japanese beer industry. Hence, the Dry Wars (ドライ戦争) began. Fierce competition grew among the big beer producers and other breweries soon launched their own super dry products.
Note: if you visit Tokyo, check out the Asahi Beer Hall. You can get a great view of it by river cruise. The building was designed French architectural designer, Phillipe Starck to look like a beer mug with a frothy head. Inarguably, it also looks like a poo. Either way, its fun and is considered to be one of Japan’s’ most famous buildings.
Asahi Beer Hall, Tokyo
Kirin
Kirin started as the Japan Brewery company, after gaining the assets of Yokohama Spring Valley Brewery, founded by Norwegian-American brewer, William Copeland. The brewery was heavily influenced by German beer and hired German brewmasters. The Japan Brewery company began making beer in 1888 and separated itself to become the Kirin Brewery company in 1907.
The name refers to the mythical Chinese ‘qilin’, a badass hooved created with dragon features. The kirin is featured on the brand’s logo.
Kirin’s top sellers are Kirin Lager and Ichiban Shibori. Kirin also produce a popular happoshu, Kirin Tanrei and ‘frozen beer’. Kirin Ichiban Frozen Beer is served at -5°C and has a “unique snowy foam texture”. Please let me know if you find this in the anywhere in the UK!
Sapporo
Sapporo was created in 1876 by Seibei Nakagawa and is the oldest Japanese beer brand. Seibei Nakagawa left Japan at the tender age of 17 and travelled around Germany. There he learned the art and craft of beer brewing. He later took his learned techniques back to Japan. Named after the Hokkaido prefecture capital, the Sapporo brewery was the first beer brewery in Japan.
Sapporo has a large international market and breweries in Japan, Canada, America and Vietnam. They produce a mix of pale and dark lagers, including Sapporo Draft and Yebisu. Yebisu was technically created by the Japanese Beer Brewery Company in 1890, but Sapporo acquired it and has retained it since. Sapporo prides itself on its international appeal and ‘east meets west’ philosophy. It is the bestselling Asian beer in America today.
Suntory Single Malt
Suntory first started brewing beer in 1963. A late contender to the Japanese beer market, Suntory offer a range of products including the 100% barley Malts beer, The Premiums Malts and happoshu such as Kinmugi.
Much of Suntory’s beer promotion in 2018 highlights the creamy foam of its Premium Malts. They even created a clip-on ‘Handy Creamy Server’ device which allows customers to create the foamy texture on their canned draught beer at home.
Recently, Suntory have expanded their range to include an office friendly, non-alcoholic beer named ‘All Free’. This clear liquid, alcohol-free, calorie-free beer is sold in clear bottles. All Free was created to entice a ‘ienomi’ market in Japan, who prefer to drink at home to save money and to meet the growing demand for non-alcoholic beer.
Japanese Craft Beers
Since deregulation in 1994 and relaxing of tax laws, microbreweries have become increasingly popular in Japan. There are currently over 200. Japan now has a thriving craft beer scene, with specialist craft beer bars in most cities. Beer festivals are held throughout the summer, showcasing the country’s best and brightest brewers.
Kagua, brewed by the Far Yeast Brewing Company (geddit?) is fast growing in demand. Their award-winning range includes Kagua Rouge, Kagua Blanc and Kagua Saison. Kugua beers are famous for their distinctive aromas, from the Japanese herbs and yeast used in their brewing process.
Much to the delight of Japan-loving hipsters, (myself included), you can buy Japanese craft beer in many UK supermarkets. The Kiuchi Brewery brand, Hitachino Nest, specializes in Belgian-style beer. It can be clearly identified on shelves thanks to its adorable owl logo design.