If you are visiting Japan and love beer, trying as many Japanese beer brands as you can on your trip should be a priority.
Beer Breweries in Japan
Japan is home to four big beer breweries — Suntory, Sapporo, Kirin, and Asahi — that produce top notch alcohol that make up a significant part of the market. In addition, there are numerous microbreweries across the country that supply distinct and tasty beer products that also feature quality ingredients and exceptional craftsmanship.
Japanese Drinking Culture
The drinking culture of the Japanese is quite lively and vibrant. Once you reach the legal drinking age of 20 years old, you may consume alcohol at home, organized events at work, restaurants and izakaya, and other places. However, you have to be mindful of Japan’s very strict laws on driving vehicles and bikes under the influence, as getting caught during or after alcohol consumption may end up in fines, jail time, and other punishments.
Must-Try Beers in Japan
Below are some top rated Japanese beers for you to check out:
Sapporo Yebisu Beer
Brewed by Sapporo Breweries Ltd., Sapporo Yebisu Beer is considered a modern day luxury beer label, frequently described as a drink with “a touch of class”. It is 100% malt, and costs more than the other beer varieties. It is a favourite of many foreigners in Japan, as it tastes great and smells good, and triggers a pleasantly intense and rich sensation.
Asahi Super Dry
First introduced in 1987 by Asahi Breweries Ltd., Asahi Super Dry is Japan’s first ever dry beer. Because of its refreshing flavour, it has remained on top of many Japanese beer lists for many years now. It is made with malted barley and a rare kind of yeast, which create an elegant aroma and a sophisticated and crisp taste.
Kirin Ichiban Shibori
Made using a unique brewing method called Ichiban Shibori, Kirin Ichiban Shibori is a Kirin beer label that boasts of an exemplary flavour that is often described as heavy and strong. This 100% malt beer is a perfect pairing for all sorts of Japanese dishes.
Otaru Beer Dunkel
Produced via an old and traditional German brewing method known as Double Decoction, Otaru Beer Dunkel is a product of Otaru Beer Brewery that is characterized by a creamy and dry caramel flavour. With the use of dark roasted malts or caramel malts, the drink tastes slightly sweet, is pleasant to the nose, and has a thin texture and body.
Otaru Beer Pilsner
Characterized by a clear, deep golden hue, Otaru Beer Pilsner is a product of Otaru Beer Brewery located in the city of Otaru on the island of Hokkaido. The malts undergo a very long and cold fermentation process, and turn out with smooth and thick foams. It has a floral, grainy aroma, and has hints of sweetness and creaminess.
Suntory The Premium Malt’s
Known for its dense and silky foam, and rich and full flavour, The Premium Malt’s is a first-rate product of Suntory introduced in 2003. It is made using diamond malts, European aroma hops, and natural water through the Double Decoction brewing method. It gives off a floral aroma, and leaves a rich aftertaste.
Hitachino Nest Espresso Stout
Kiuchi Brewery is a microbrewery located in Naka in Ibaraki Prefecture, and one of its most popular products is a drink that is a fusion of beer and coffee. Known as the Hitachino Nest Espresso Stout, this beer variety is made from roasted chocolate and black malts, chocolate, vanilla, and cocoa, and features strong and full-bodied malt and coffee aftertastes.
Hitachino Nest White Ale
An award-winning beer produced by Kiuchi Brewery, Hitachino Nest White Ale is a top-selling, Belgian-style beer that possesses an interesting mix of flavours. Made with malts, orange peel, nutmeg, and coriander, it has a full-body flavour with hints of spiciness and sweetness, and has an enjoyable floral, citrus, and caramel aroma.
Tokyo Black
Described as a classical American Porter-style beer, Tokyo Black is a product of the Yo-Ho Brewing Company. It is made with caramel malts, vanilla, and milk chocolate that create a sweet and smooth taste, and a pleasant burnt-coffee and bittersweet-chocolate aromas. It comes in a dark brown, almost black colour, and has a light-bodied texture.
Echigo Stout
A product of the Uehara Shuzou Co. Ltd., the Echigo Stout is a premium, Imperial-style stout beer that is a combination of bitter cocoa, roasted malts, and coffee. It is known for its strong and intense flavour the moment it touches the taste buds, but mellows out quickly into a rich, creamy, and sweet essence. It comes in a jet black colour, and goes perfectly with sushi and various other Japanese dishes.
Asahi Stout
Another quality beer produced by Asahi Breweries Ltd., the Asahi Stout beer is a dark-coloured, intensely-flavoured drink that is made with ale yeast and dark roasted malt. It produces a smokey and earthy aroma, and a sweet and grainy flavour. It features a warm, rich, and smooth texture that slides effortlessly down the throat.
Purchasing Beer in Japan
Beer is widely available all over Japan. It can be purchased at convenience stores and supermarkets, whether in major cities, such as Tokyo and Osaka, or in smaller towns in the countrysides. If you are taking a long train ride and want to enjoy some cool and delicious beer, you can drop by one of those kiosks at train stations, and get yourself a can or two. Restaurants, eateries, and diners also offer beers in their menu to pair with their mouth watering cuisines. There are also vending machines that sell beer, but they have become fewer and fewer, as they are slowly being phased out to combat underage drinking.
