Best Japanese Canned Beer Brands and Products
Advertisement
The difference between beer and happoshu (low-malt beer)
Under Japan's liquor tax law, beer is divided into two categories based on the percentage of maltâthink normal beer and happoshu low-malt beer, which has a similar taste but a malt content of no more than 67 percent.
Even some brands that are sold as beer in other countries may be known as happoshu in Japan due to the differences in the amount and proportion of the malt.
As the tax rate on happoshu is lower than that of beer, the varieties and sales of happoshu have increased since 1990. However, due to the rise in taxes on happoshu, a new beer genre of beer, called "Quasi Beer" was introduced.
The beer industry is likely to shift again soon as the tax rates for beer-type beverages, including happoshu and "Quasi Beer," gradually become unified. Below, youâll find more details on each beer genre.
Beer
In Japan, beer is defined as either fermented from malt, hops, and water, or fermented with certain secondary ingredients such as wheat, rice, fruit, and coriander. The percentage of malt must be at least 50 percent, and the total secondary ingredients must be no more than 5 percent of the malt.
The alcohol content is set at less than 20 percent. Popular beer brands of major breweries in Japan include Asahi Super Dry, The Premium Malts, and Kirin Ichiban Shibori Draft Beer, all of which have the flavor and richness that is unique to malt.
Happoshu low-malt beer
In general, happoshu describes any carbonated alcoholic beverage, but under Japan's liquor tax law, it refers to sparkling alcoholic beverages that contain barley as well as malt as part of its ingredients.
Its alcohol content is less than 20 percent, the same as beer. Unlike beer, happoshu contains a lower proportion of malt and any secondary ingredients not allowed in beer production.
It generally has a lighter flavor than beer and many people prefer it as it is easier to drink. Some craft beers made by small breweries are also included in the happoshu category due to the percentage of malt and the variety of secondary ingredients used, offering a unique flavor.
Other beer-like beverages
Other beer-like beverages that are neither beer nor happoshu under the liquor tax law are classified as "New Genre" or âQuasi Beer.â It includes carbonated alcoholic beverages like chu-hi (shochu highball.)
They are made from a variety of ingredients and production methods, some using grains other than malt, and others mixing another alcoholic beverage with happoshu.
Popular products include Suntory's Kin-Mugi and Kirin's Honkirin. Although beer companies have created new products that can be offered at lower prices than beer and happoshu, in 2023, the tax rates on such "New Genre" beers were raised in line with that of happoshu.
8 popular beers and beer-like beverages available at Japanese convenience stores and supermarkets
Beer and beer-like beverages in Japan are sold by four major breweriesâAsahi, Kirin, Suntory, and Sapporoâwhich each offer products tailored to different preferences. Below, youâll find popular products from each of the major beer breweries, plus a renowned product from an Okinawan brewery, which is gaining momentum as the next major brewery after the aforementioned four.
Sapporo Yebisu Beer
Yebisu Beer is based on a brew that was made in 1890 under the guidance of a German master brewer. Since the 1970s, it has been crafted from 100 percent high-quality malt, without the use of any secondary ingredients. Out of the various yeast types, only yeast with the utmost ability to produce aroma is used, bringing out the beerâs aromatic smell.
Because more malt is used, the aging process takes 1.5 times longer than the company's regular beers, which results in a firm, full-bodied, mellow taste with a distinctive malt character. Various types of long-selling Yebisu beer are available in cans, including Yebisu Premium Ale, Yebisu Premium Black, and Kohaku Yebisu Premium Amber.
Official website: https://www.sapporobeer.jp/yebisu/english/
Sapporo Draft Beer Black Label
Draft Beer Black Label is based on the Sapporo Bin-Nama, released in 1977, which was bottled without heat treatment to allow people to enjoy the same draft beer, which was popular in beer halls, at home. Sapporo Bin-Nama was a big hit because of its refreshing taste, and its nickname Black Label became official due to the color of the label.
In 2011, a newly developed type of barley came into use, which has no components that degrade the flavor of the beer. Therefore, the flavor, aroma, and foam can remain fresh for a longer time.
Official website: https://www.sapporobeer.jp/product/beer/kurolabel/ (in Japanese only)
Asahi Style Free
Style Free is the first happoshu in the beer industry with no sugar content (according to food labeling standards.) It's recommended for those who want to drink beer but are concerned about the amount of sugar. On top of that, it only has 24 calories per 100 milliliters.
It is the raw manufacturing method using Munich malt that gives it a rich taste and a flavor resembling barley. Other products in the same series, such as Style Free Perfect, which is free from purines, sugar, artificial sweeteners, and coloring, are designed for those who are health conscious.
Official website: https://www.asahibeer.co.jp/toushitsu_zero/ (in Japanese only)
Asahi Super Dry
Since its debut in 1987, Super Dry has become firmly established as the representative dry beer. It was born as a result of a survey of 5,000 people in the pursuit of creating the ideal beer. The expression "dry" was first used in the Japanese beer industry to describe a brew that is light, refreshing, and goes down smoothly. It has become the top seller in the beer industry.
Even though the quality of the beer is constantly being improved, every step of the brewing process is taken with the utmost care, including the development of yeast that produces a clean taste with no off-flavors. The wort is also optimized for high fermentation, as well as the technology to ensure the beer stays fresh even long after production.
Official website: https://www.asahibeer.co.jp/superdry/ (in Japanese only)
Suntory The Premium Malt's
Suntory created The Premium Malt's intending to produce the finest beer in the world. Great efforts are made to secure water, which accounts for approximately 90 percent of the beer, and breweries are built on land where natural water can be collected safely and stably.
The malt is boiled twice to bring out its flavor and produce a thick wort. European hops with a rich aroma are carefully selected and transported to Japan at low temperatures. Through its manufacturing process, Suntory has spent a decade developing a method to achieve a beautiful hop aroma with a high-quality bitterness.
Recently, production methods have been improved to enhance the quality of the foam. Furthermore, the company is also working on the development of glasses and beer servers to enhance the beer's flavor.
Official website: https://www.suntory.com/beer/premium/en/
Kirin Ichiban Shibori Draft Beer
Ichiban Shibori Draft Beer is made by using only the first wort extracted from the barley, resulting in a refined taste. The brew is made from 100 percent barleyâ1.5 times more than any other Kirin beerâ without the use of any secondary ingredients.
It utilizes a technology that filters the wort at low temperatures to enhance the potency of the ingredients while reducing the components that contribute to an unpleasant, astringent taste. Through more than 1,000 times of experimental brewing, a well-balanced flavor has been achieved by diminishing acidity and other components.
The series includes Ichiban Shibori Zero Sugar, limited-time and convenience store-only editions, and other products made from the first extracted wort using different production methods and ingredients.
Official website: https://www.kirin.co.jp/products/beer/ichiban/ (in Japanese only)
Suntory Kin-Mugi
Kin-Mugi is one of the most popular "New Genre" alcoholic drinks sold by various companies. Itâs a happoshu made with Suntory's 100 percent natural water and domestic malt and contains wheat-derived alcohol.
It was designed as a drink that people can enjoy daily, and it pairs perfectly with Japanese, Western, and Chinese cuisine. It features a barley flavor with umami and a refreshing aftertaste.
The series includes four types of Kin-Mugi, with different flavors for spring, summer, fall, and winter, as well as Kin-Mugi Gold Lager and Kin-Mugi 75% Less Sugar.
Official website: https://www.suntory.com/brands/kinmugi/
Orion The Draft
Orion is a major beer manufacturer based in Okinawa Prefecture, with the largest market share in the region. Its beer is well-suited to Okinawa's climate. Among its various products, The Draft is an unpasteurized draft beer created in the pursuit of making a beer unique to Okinawa.
It uses barley from Ie Island, a remote island in Okinawa, and water from a region called Yanbaru in the northern part of the main island of Okinawa. It is aged for 1.2 times longer than conventional draft beers.
The ideal serving temperature is 0 to 4 degrees Celsius, so you can enjoy a tasty draft beer in tropical Okinawa year-round. The beer has a refreshing taste, and the umami of the barley can be tasted even when it is served cold.
Official website: https://www.orionbeer.co.jp/en/brand/draftbeer.html
Get your hands on the Kamiawa Beer Server
The Kamiawa Server is a beer dispenser designed to enhance the enjoyment of Suntory's popular The Premium Malt's at home. The ultrasonic waves create tiny bubbles between the foam and the beer, allowing you to enjoy a fine, foamy draft beer experience, just like if it were to be served in a restaurant.
The Kamiawa Server is compact and easy to use, and is a must-buy item for those who didn't believe that it was possible to enjoy the same delicious taste of draft beer from a can.
Official website: https://www.suntory.co.jp/beer/thepremiummalts/kamiawa/server/ (in Japanese only)
Discover your favorite canned beer during your trip to Japan
When you visit the canned beer section in a convenience store or supermarket in Japan, you will be amazed by the variety of beers available, ranging from regular products to seasonal offers. In between sightseeing or when you want to relax at your hotel, be sure to pick up a variety of canned beers at a store and enjoy the different tastes. Just remember to drink responsibly.
Buy more alcoholic beverages at WAmazing Shop, including a large selection of Japanese sake.
Explore more of Japan by using one of the many different transportation passes.
*The information in this article, such as prices and business hours, was accurate at the time of publication but is subject to change. Please refer to the official website(s) for the latest information.
*Consuming alcohol under the age of 20 is prohibited by Japanese law, and these regulations also apply to international visitors and foreign residents in Japan. Please enjoy alcohol responsibly and donât drive after drinking.
