Japan is a country that loves beer! In fact, Japanese beer is the most popular alcoholic beverage in Japan, ahead of sake and shochu. There are many different Japanese beers, each with its own unique flavor. The most popular Japanese beers are light and refreshing, such as Sapporo and Kirin. These beers are often served with traditional Japanese dishes, such as ramen, karaage and yakitori.
Whether at home, in a yatai or izakaya street stall or in a Japanese restaurant, you’ll come across a number of beers with very distinct characteristics. Let’s take a look at some of the most popular Japanese beers.
Brewing heritage in the land of the rising sun
Japanese beers draw their inspiration from a long brewing tradition stretching back over a century. Japanese breweries are renowned for their commitment to quality and their constant pursuit of perfection. Traditional brewing techniques blend harmoniously with modern methods, giving rise to beers of incomparable finesse and complexity.
The history of beer in Japan dates back to 1869, when naturalized Norwegian-American William Copland brewed the country’s first beer in Yokohama. The beer was a great success, inspiring other Japanese entrepreneurs to enter the brewing business.
These include the founders of the famous Sapporo, Ebisu, Kirin, Asahi and Suntory brands. These companies develop original beers, such as“happōshu” and“happousei“, which adapt to the tastes and tax constraints of the Japanese market. Indeed, malt is extremely taxed in Japan, forcing brewers to use alternatives in their design ingredients.
Competition between these beer giants is fierce, driving them to innovate and export their products worldwide. In 1994, the liberalization of alcohol laws led to the emergence of numerous micro-breweries producing craft or regional beers, known as“chi bīru” or“ji“.
Today, Japanese beer is renowned for its quality and diversity. It is an integral part of Japanese culture and gastronomy.
Unique ingredients for extraordinary flavours
Japanese beers are distinguished by the use of special ingredients that give them distinctive flavors. Rice, for example, is often used in combination with barley malt to create light, delicate beers.
Some brewers also experiment, using unusual ingredients such as Japanese green tea, cherry blossom or Japanese citrus fruits like yuzu to create unique beers.
Famous Japanese breweries to explore
When it comes to renowned Japanese beers, the Land of the Rising Sun offers a multitude of breweries whose reputations have crossed borders. Here are just a few of the most renowned breweries you should definitely check out:
Sapporo Brewery
Founded in 1876 in Sapporo, Hokkaido Prefecture, Sapporo Brewery is one of Japan’s oldest and most emblematic breweries.
It is famous for its Sapporo Premium Beer, a golden lager that embodies the spirit of Japanese beer. This refreshing beer offers subtle malty aromas and a clean, crisp finish.
The Sapporo brewery also offers other variations, such as Sapporo Black, a dark beer rich in flavor, and Sapporo Yebisu, a premium beer with remarkable complexity.
Kiuchi Brewery
Located in Ibaraki prefecture, the Kiuchi brewery is renowned for its iconic Hitachino Nest brand. Kiuchi’s beers are brewed with carefully selected local ingredients and meticulous attention to detail.
Their range of beers is surprisingly diverse, from light lagers to rich stouts and sake barrel-aged ales. Try their Hitachino Nest White Ale, a refreshing wheat beer with citrus notes, or their Hitachino Nest Espresso Stout, a dark, intense beer with roasted coffee aromas.
Yo-Ho Brewing Company
Nagano-based Yo-Ho Brewing Company is known for its Yona Yona Ale brand, an amber ale that has gained worldwide renown.
This American Pale Ale features a beautiful combination of Japanese and American hops, offering balanced bitterness and fruity aromas.
Yo-Ho Brewing Company also offers other innovative beers, such as Tokyo Black Porter, a black ale rich in malt and coffee flavors, and Aooni India Pale Ale, a crisp, hoppy beer that will delight hop lovers.
Baird Beer Brewery
Founded in 2000 by American Bryan Baird and his wife Sayuri in Japan, Baird Beer Brewery is renowned for its commitment to high-quality ingredients and traditional brewing methods.
Their craft beers are brewed with passion, focusing on freshness and authentic flavor.
Try their Rising Sun Pale Ale, a light and refreshing beer with citrus and hop notes, or their Angry Boy Brown Ale, a rich and complex brown ale with caramel and nutty aromas.
As you can see, beer is omnipresent in Japan. You’ll easily find it in combini, Japanese street vending machines, izakaya bars, supermarkets and so on. There are even museums dedicated to beer, such as those dedicated to the Yebisu or Kirin brands!
