Of course, there is no need for a rigorous presentation about beer, a super popular drink all over the world, including Japan where it is called beer [ビール]. In this article, we are going to talk all about 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 kind of beer called happoshu, which contains a percentage of malt in the drink.
Japan tries to make alcoholic drinks match popular Japanese dishes, so it's normal to find strange flavors of beers, of course they're made for those who want something new, but it's not something that disappoints even the most exquisite palates.
Bars with regular and craft beers are increasing in popularity in Japan's major cities such as Tokyo and Osaka, which have a focus and interest in local craft drinks and drinks imported from the US.
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The History of Beers in Japan
Beer in Japan began in the 17th century, when Dutch traders stationed at Japanese ports, and opened brewery halls for sailors who worked the trade routes between Japan and Holland.
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 industry's growth. Japanese location.
Happoshu - Japanese low malt beer
While in Brazil we have Pure Malte, Japan takes the opposite route. Happoshu [発泡酒] is a low malt beer, a Japanese category that most often refers to a beverage with a malt content lower than 67%.
The name Happoshu means something like bubbling spirits. The alcoholic beverage is popular with consumers as it has a lower tax rate than drinks that Japan's law classifies as "beer".
The Japanese alcohol tax system 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%.
A malt-based alcoholic beverage is classified as beer if the amount of malt is greater than 67% of the fermentable ingredients.
most of happoshu have less than 25% of malt, so taxes are lower, thus, producers invest more in hashoppu, with advertisements advertising healthier drinks.
Japanese regulations prohibit the use of the word beer [ビール] to describe beers containing less than 67% of malt (thus allowing up to 33% to be adjuncts, including rice, corn, sorghum, potato, starch and sugar).
Facts about Japanese beer
Beer and happoshu beers are the most popular alcoholic beverages in Japan, accounting for nearly two-thirds of the 9 billion liters of alcohol consumed in 2006. One of Japan's most consumed liquids is beer, second only to water and tea.
Craft beers that are produced locally represent less than 1% of national beer consumption, but it is constantly growing along with imported beers.
According to Japanese local market data, in the first eight months of 2012, domestic craft beer shipments rose 7.7 percent, while sales from Japan's biggest breweries continued a year of decline.
As of January 2014, Asahi had a market share of 38%, being the largest of the top five beer producers in Japan, followed by Kirin with 35%.
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Popular beers in Japan
Among the most popular beers in Japan we have the Asahi Super Dry (super dry) as it says in its name, it is super dry, made with a low fermentation. Its taste is bitter, the taste is extremely sharp and it caused a big revolution in Japan when it was released.
Kirin Ichiban it's a beer Premium with pure malt. Its aroma reveals the greater presence of malt, which makes it more golden and slightly sweet. To counterbalance, more hops are used, which increases their bitterness. It has a striking and refreshing flavor, perfect to accompany Japanese food.
Another popular beer is Orion which is manufactured in okinawa island. It has a fresh flavor that accompanies any type of food. The foam is velvety and enhances the beer's texture. There is also the 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 released by these 5 companies:
Asahi Breweries
- Asahi Super Dry
- Asahi Blanc
- 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
Japan seasonal beers
Many breweries in Japan offer beers seasonal. 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 beer, beers with different flavors and ingredients are released.
Beer distribution methods
The legal drinking age in Japan is 20 years of age. In addition to bars, beer can be purchased at a wide variety of stores, including supermarkets, convenience stores and service stations at train stations.
Beer can be consumed almost anywhere, but Japan has very strict laws with drivers or cyclists who ride after or during drinking. The fine can exceed 20,000 reais and lead to jail.
In Japan, beer can also be sold from vending machines, although, as of 2012, this has become less common in big cities to prevent minors from consuming the drink.
To prevent minors from shopping at vending machines, some vending machines have cameras or require a card to prove age. This does not prevent adults from buying drinks for children.
Ranking - Best Beers in Japan
Japanese brewing has been constantly exported to most of Asia and also to other countries. continents. The list below presents the best Japanese beers according to an international survey.
Chances are, many of the beers below are craft, seasonal, flavored, or limited-time. That's why it's 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 (Fermentação Inferior)
- Hitachino Nest XH
- Casa IPA da Tamamura Honten (Shiga Kogen)
- 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 Lote #500 Yamabushi Saison One
- Hitachino Nest Espresso Stout
- Fujizakura HeightsWeizen
- Baird Temple Garden Yuzu Ale
- Baird Ganko Oyaji (Stubborn Old Man) Barley Wine
- Tamamura-Honten a House IPA Imperial envelhecida em barril do Extremo Oriente
- Swan Lake Imperial Stout
- Sankt Gallen El Diablo
- Swan Lake Cisne Âmbar Swan Ale
- Shonan Imperial Stout
- Baird Morning Coffee Stout
- Shiga Kogen IPA
