In Japan, beer is one of the most widely consumed alcoholic beverages, outpacing sake, the country's official brew. When it comes to Japanese beer, it is frequently the first thing ordered to start a night out with friends or as a prank drink for the boss's salarymen. In Japanese, it's even called "toriaezu beer." Japanese beer is known for being crisp, clean, and flavourful. It has premium ingredients, fresh running water from nearby mountains, and an unrivalled craftsmanship mentality.
Large Japanese beer companies like Asahi, Sapporo, and Kirin are well-known abroad, thanks to the variety of delicious beer products they sell in Japan. Together with these companies, Suntory completes the top four beer producers in the nation. In Japan, you have a traditional beer in your neighbourhood, izakaya, to go with delectable finger food. Japan also has a fast-expanding craft beer sector, particularly in larger cities like Tokyo. Take a look!
Top 9 Japanese Beer Brands To Taste
Asahi Super Dry
Asahi Super Dry, a beloved Japanese beer, was initially introduced in 1987 and comes in a distinctive silver can. Super Dry, brewed by Asahi, was Japan's first dry draft beer. It is one of the most popular Japanese beers in the world, recognised for its crisp taste, and is served on tap in many of the nation's eateries and bars.
Asahi Nama Beer MaruF
The Asahi draft beer from Asahi Breweries was so influential in the 1986 rebirth of the Japanese beer industry that it was given the moniker "Yuuhi" (sunset in Japanese). Most people link the MaruF series with Asahi's most recent "Otsukaresama desu" advertising campaign. The word "otsukaresama desu" is a play on the popular translation of "thank you for your hard work" from Japanese, and it alludes to the beer's significance in the company's past. It replaces "nama," draft beer, with "sama." People seek out this Asahi beer because of the cosy, nostalgic vibe it leaves on its palate.
Kirin Tanrei Green Label Beer
The Kirin Brewing Company introduced Kirin Tanrei Green Label Beer in 2002. It features a distinctive green label and a white can. It's renowned for being an inexpensive Japanese beer and is one of the best-selling beers in the nation. Tanrei Green Label is a rich, crisp beer with a low malt ratio that is well-balanced by its premium flavour.
Asahi Shokusai Premium Draft Beer
Asahi is dedicated to creating a draft beer experience at home. Grab a can of Shokusai Premium Draft Beer for an upscale drinking experience. This opulent beer is brewed with five different hop varieties, including some uncommon French hops. It tastes great cold.
As soon as you open the can, this beer—which uses the same technology as Asahi's Nama Jokki—delivers a light, flavourful foam. Saying "kanpai" while sipping this beer will feel like a bubbly toast. The beer's aroma will increase with each sip, making your drinking experience even better.
Suntory Kinmugi Rich Malt Beer
Suntory Kinmugi Rich Malt Beer is very rich and pungent in flavour, and it has a very fancy royal blue can, which makes it unique. This is one of the most popular golden colour Japanese beers with very light foam and moderate fizzines, similar to German beers but very elegant in taste. It is good with fried things and can taste flawless when chilled.
Premium Yebisu Beer
Yebisu Beer is a premium, award-winning beer created by Sapporo Brewing in 1887. The name and logo of the beer are derived from the Japanese mythology of the god of luck. Yebisu's balanced use of hops, delicate foam, and deep malt character make it an excellent session beer.
Kirin Lager Beer
Kirin Lager is a strong beer that has been a national favourite of Japan for more than 130 years. Its foam is aged at a low temperature and has a distinctive thickness. Compared to regular beer, this lager adds an astringency. Although it's still not overly bitter, it has a good taste and is good to drink.
Sapporo Black Label Beer
With its recognisable star, Sapporo Black Label Beer is a premium beer that is strong and impossible to miss from Hokkaido! It is made with barley and a unique brewing method that keeps the beer's flavour intact, giving it a persistent malt flavour. It is surely recognised as an international beer served widely to foreigners visiting Japan.
Kirin Nodogoshi Nama
Japan's Nodogoshi Nama is a low-gluten, happoshu-style beer made by Kirin. Happoshu is the name for a "low-malt beer-like beverage." For lower tax rates, beer firms produced alcoholic beverages with a lower malt percentage. However, these hippos offer excellent beer-like flavour, and Nodogoshi is among the least expensive options.