Japanese Beer, A Refreshing Drink for All Occasions

WeXpats
2022/02/24

Japanese beer is a must in summers (to cool down) and drinking parties like nomikai (to get hyped). This deliciously refreshing and bubbly drink pairs well with all kinds of beer snacks. Aside from big name breweries Asahi, Kirin, Suntory, and Sapporo, there are small local craft beers to try.


Table of Contents

  1. The Dawn of Japanese Beer
  2. The 4 Biggest Japanese Beer Brands
  3. Craft Beer Houses to Chill at
  4. Takeaway

The Dawn of Japanese Beer

History

The Japanese got their first taste of beer sometime in the 17th century when traveling Dutchmen brought it to Japan. In the next century, a practitioner of Dutch medicine Koumin Kawamoto tried his hand at beer crafting following a Dutch recipe. That eventful day was the start of the beer crafting industry in Japan. 

Thereafter in 1870, the first beer brewery was established by Americans in Yokohama. Initially set-up as Spring Valley Brewery, it is now known as Kirin Brewery Company. 2 years later in Osaka, the first Japanese beer by Syozaburo Shibutani was created and available in the market.

※ Brewers Association of Japan, "History of the Japanese Beer Industry"

Impact of Japan’s Local Beer Industry

6 years after the first local brewery and 4 years after the first Japanese beer was created, the beer industry was booming with local productions exceeding foreign imports. By the early 1900s, beer taxes were imposed and the increase in brewery companies had to be curbed with stricter regulations to control competition.

Additionally, the increase of beer consumption also affected the sales of other alcohol types. In particular, sake whose sales have dropped by 30% since the 1970s.

※ Brewers Association of Japan, "History of the Japanese Beer Industry"
※ NBC News, “As Japan falls out of love with sake, brewers look to the West

The 4 Biggest Japanese Beer Brands

There are many beer brands available but no doubt the biggest giants are these:

Asahi

First established in 1889 as Osaka Brewery, Asahi has a number of awards and achievements under its belt including global ones. They were the first company in Japan to launch canned beer in 1958 as well as pull-tabs 7 years later. Their most popular beer is Asahi Super Dry that was launched in 1987. Aside from beer, they also produce:

  • Wine (Alpaca, SteNeige)

  • Shochuu (Kanoka)

  • Whiskey (Nikka)

  • Chuuhai (Zeitaku Shibori)

  • Soft drinks (Calpis, Mitsuya Cider, etc.) 

  • Coffee and tea (Wonda Coffee, Jyuu-roku Cha, etc.)

  • and more.

Asahi Factory Tours are available in Hokkaido, Ibaraki, Osaka, and Fukuoka.

Kirin

As mentioned above in history, Kirin Beer was first established as Spring Valley Brewery, the first Japanese brewery. Their logo depicts a mythical Chinese creature called Kirin, or Qilin in Chinese. It looks like a dragon with a horse or deer’s body including hooved legs. It is believed that the Kirin brings luck and prosperity. Their bestseller is Kirin Ichiban beer. Just like Asahi, Kirin is also involved in the production of:

  • Other types of beer (Honkirin, Nodogoshi, Lager, etc.)

  • Craft beer (Spring Valley series)

  • Wine and cider (Sunrise, Frontera, etc.)

  • Chuuhai (Hyoketsu, Honshibori, Sours, etc.)

  • Tea (Namacha, Gogo no Kocha)

  • and more. 

Kirin Factory Tour is available in Yokohama, Sendai, Hokkaido, Nagoya, and other places.

Sapporo

Sapporo Beer based in Hokkaido is one of the earliest breweries in Japan having been opened only 6 years later than the first brewery. It is a representative product of Hokkaido. Yebisu, another popular beer brand, was acquired by Sapporo sometime in the early 1960s. The Yebisu line of beer was revived in 1971 thanks to Sapporo Beer. Sapporo Beer’s best seller is their classic Sapporo beer. Other products include:

  • Sours (Lemon Sour, Otoko Ume Sour, etc.)

  • Wine (Martini, Grande Folaire, Champagne Taittinger, etc.)

  • Shochuu (Karari Imo, Koimugi, etc.)

  • and more.

Sapporo Beer has factory tours, winery tours, and beer museums. In
Sapporo Beer Museum, you can enjoy a proper meal of Genghis Khan (Hokkaido specialty) and boiled crabs with your beer. 

Suntory

Suntory actually started off as a winery in 1899 but ventured into the beer industry in 1963 with the launch of Suntory Beer. The brand has continued to grow and develop to produce all kinds of beverages and importing drinks like mountain dew, pepsi, orangina, 7up and more. Their best product is Suntory the Premium Malt’s. Other productions include:

  • Beer (Kinmugi, Malt’s, Tokyo Craft, Lager, etc.)

  • Coffee and tea (Oolong Cha, Iemon Teas, Boss, Tokucha, etc.)

  • Mineral water

  • Juice (Gokuri, Nacchan, etc.)

  • Chuuhai (Strong Zero, Horoyoi, Lemon Sour, etc.)

  • amongst others.

Suntory also offers factory tours and winery tours. Other tours available are for mineral water factories and whiskey distilleries. Check this link for details.

Craft Beer Houses to Chill At

Produced in microbreweries, after the change in law that allowed the set-up for small breweries, more and more interesting and unique beers have started being developed in microbreweries. Japan’s craft beers have started gaining popularity not just domestically but across the Asian market. 

Here are some craft beer houses in Tokyo to get you started:

Baird Taproom Harajuku

Started in 2000 by Mr & Mrs Baird, Baird Beers has slowly expanded to now having 11 taprooms. Luckily for us based in Tokyo, they have one in Harajuku near Takeshita-dori. With a cozy warm atmosphere, you can enjoy their craft beer straight from the tap with Izakaya-style beer snacks. 

Goodbeer Faucets

Located in Shibuya, not too far from Bunkamaru and Tokyu Department Store, is Good Beer Faucets. If you’re looking to try a variety of different beers (and have a strong tolerance of alcohol), this is the place to visit. They boast, right on their website, of having 40 kinds of draught beer including original house crafted kinds. 

Nihonbashi Brewery 

With 13 types of craft beers, Nihonbashi Brewery has two shops in Tokyo. One in Nihonbashi (duh) and another in Marunouchi. The original craft beers here are created by Trevor Bass from Portland’s Hopworks Urban Brewery, renowned for its craft beers. With delicious food to go with your beer, drop by when exploring Marunouchi. This article may come in handy: 

10 Reasons Why Marunouchi is the Place to Be

Takeaway

There’s nothing better than kicking back with a nice cold beer after a hard day at work. Or perhaps a pub hangout with friends? Whether it’s to go with pizza and onion rings, or fried squid and edamame, beers have a place here, there, and everywhere. Try the widely available big name beers easily found in supermarkets and konbini (supermarket is cheaper by the way), or a special visit to a local craft beer, you’ll be sure to feel refreshed after a nice long gulp. 

If you’re interested in other Japanese alcohols, here’s a useful article:

The Various Types of Japanese Alcohol

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WeXpats
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