Logically, a rigorous presentation about beer is not necessary, a super popular drink worldwide, including Japan where it is called biiru [ビール]. In this article, we will talk about everything related to Japanese beers.
The five main beer producers in Japan are Asahi, Kirin, Orion, Sapporo, and Suntory, being the most consumed in Japan; however, there is a type of beer called happoshu, which contains a percentage of malt in the drink.
Japan tries to make alcoholic beverages pair well with popular Japanese dishes, so it is normal to find strange flavors of beers, of course, they are made for those who want something new, but it is not something that disappoints even the most refined palates.
Bars with common and craft beers have been increasing in popularity in major cities in Japan, such as Tokyo and Osaka, which have a focus and interest in local craft beverages and drinks imported from the USA.
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The History of Beer in Japan
Beer in Japan began in the 17th century when Dutch merchants docked in Japanese ports and opened breweries for sailors working on trade routes between Japan and the Netherlands.
As Japan reopened foreign trade during the Meiji period, imported beers, such as Bass Pale Ale and Bass Stout, were available in limited quantities in foreign settlements, but other brewers from Europe and elsewhere also contributed to the growth of the local Japanese industry.
Happoshu – Low Malt Japanese Beer
While in Brazil we have Puro Malte, Japan takes an opposite path. Happoshu [発泡酒] is a low malt beer, a Japanese category that most often refers to a drink with malt content below 67%.
The name Happoshu means something like bubbling spirits. The alcoholic beverage is popular among consumers for having a lower tax rate than drinks that Japanese law classifies as “beer.”
The Japanese tax system on alcohol separates malt beverages into four categories based on the amount of malt: 67% or more, 50% to 67%, 25% to 50%, and less than 25%.
An alcoholic beverage based on malt is classified as beer if the amount of malt is greater than 67% of the fermentable ingredients.
Most happoshu contain less than 25% malt, thus, taxes are lower, allowing producers to invest more in happoshu, with advertisements promoting healthier drinks.
Japanese regulations prohibit the use of the word biiru [ビール] to describe beers that contain less than 67% malt (thus allowing up to 33% adjuncts, including rice, corn, sorghum, potato, starch, and sugar).
Curiosities about Japanese Beer
Beer and happoshu are the most popular alcoholic beverages in Japan, accounting for almost two-thirds of the 9 billion liters of alcohol consumed in 2006. One of the most consumed liquids in Japan is beer, coming in only behind water and tea.
Locally produced craft beers represent less than 1% of national beer consumption, but are constantly growing alongside imported beers.
According to data from local Japanese markets, in the first eight months of 2012, shipments of domestic craft beers rose by 7.7 percent, while sales from the largest breweries in Japan continued to decline for a year.
As of January 2014, Asahi had a market share of 38%, being the largest of the five main beer producers in Japan, followed by Kirin with 35%.
Popular Beers in Japan
Among the most popular beers in Japan, we have Asahi Super Dry (super dry) as its name suggests, it is super dry, made with a low fermentation. Its flavor is bitter, the taste is extremely sharp and caused a great revolution in Japan when it was launched.
Kirin Ichiban is a Premium beer made with pure malt. Its aroma reveals a greater presence of malt, which makes it more golden and slightly sweet. To balance it out, more hops are used, which increases its bitterness. It has a striking and refreshing flavor, perfect for pairing with Japanese food.
Another popular beer is Orion, which is brewed on the island of Okinawa. It has a fresh flavor that pairs well with any type of food. The foam is velvety and enhances the texture of the beer. There is also Yebisu, which is considered the most traditional beer in the country. It has an intense and deep aroma.
Below is a list of the most popular beers launched by these 5 companies:
Asahi Breweries
- Asahi Super Dry
- Asahi BlanK
- Asahi Premium Beer Jukusen
- Asahi Hon-nama (happoshu)
Kirin Brewery Company
- Kirin Ichiban Shibori
- Kirin Lager Beer
- Kirin Fukkoku Lager
- Kirin Akiaji
- Kirin Heartland Beer
- Grand Kirin
- Kirin Tanrei (happoshu)
Sapporo Brewery
- Sapporo Lager Beer
- Sapporo Black Label
- Yebisu – The Hop
- Yebisu Black
- Sapporo Classic
- Hokkaido Nama-shibori (happoshu)
Suntory
- Suntory Malts
- Suntory – The Premium Malts
- Super Magnum Dry (happoshu)
Orion
- Orion Original
- Orion Southern Star
- Orion Draft Beer
- Orion Special
- Orion Cider
- Orion Dry
Seasonal Beers in Japan
Many breweries in Japan offer seasonal beers. In autumn, for example, beers are brewed with a higher alcohol content. Some beer cans are typically decorated with images of autumn leaves, and just like craft beers, beers with different flavors and ingredients are released.
Beer Distribution Methods
The legal drinking age for alcoholic beverages in Japan is 20 years old. Besides bars, beer can be purchased in a wide variety of stores, including supermarkets, convenience stores, and service stations at train stations.
Beer can be consumed almost anywhere; however, Japan has very strict laws regarding drivers or cyclists who ride after or during the consumption of the drink. Fines can exceed 20,000 reais and lead to imprisonment.
In Japan, beer can also be sold in vending machines, although, starting in 2012, this has become less common in large cities to prevent minors from consuming the drink.
To prevent minors from purchasing from vending machines, some vending machines have cameras or require a card to verify age. This does not prevent adults from buying drinks for minors.
Ranking – Best Beers in Japan
The production of Japanese beer has been constantly exported to most of Asia and also to other continents. The list below presents the best Japanese beers according to an international survey.
It is likely that many of the beers below are craft, seasonal, with flavors, or limited time. Therefore, it is not easy to find some of the Japanese beers in the ranking below; they may not even be available anymore.
- Hidatakayama Karumina
- Baird Dark Sky Imperial Stout
- Hitachino Nest Ancient Nipponia (Bottom Fermented)
- Hitachino Nest XH
- Tamamura Honten (Shiga Kogen) House IPA
- Shonan Belgian Stout
- Minoh Imperial Stout
- Fujizakura Heights Rauch
- Baird Kurofune Porter
- Sankt Gallen Imperial Chocolate Stout
- Shiga Kogen Takashi Imperial Stout
- Hitachino Nest Japanese Classic Ale
- Oze No Yukidoke Heavy Heavy
- Baird Suruga Bay Imperial IPA
- Hitachino Nest New Year Celebration Ale
- Shiga Kogen W-IBA Masaji the Great
- Tamamura-Honten Batch #500 Yamabushi Saison One
- Hitachino Nest Espresso Stout
- Fujizakura Heights Weizen
- Baird Temple Garden Yuzu Ale
- Baird Ganko Oyaji (Stubborn Old Man) Barley Wine
- Tamamura-Honten the Far East Barrel Aged Imperial House IPA
- Swan Lake Imperial Stout
- Sankt Gallen El Diablo
- Swan Lake Amber Swan Ale
- Shonan Imperial Stout
- Baird Morning Coffee Stout
- Shiga Kogen IPA
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