The big names of Japanese beer have slowly been jumping on the craft brew wagon as it becomes more and more popular in Japan. Kirin got in the game back in 2012 according to their Facebook page. However, advertisements and sales didn’t start until 2015 of Kirins Craftmanship beers (and this is exactly when I started drinking them!). Japan is big into the “limited edition”/”seasonal only” thing so there are winter varieties and spring varieties as well as year round options.
Kirins Craftmanship Brews
Kirins Craftmanship brews have settled into a JPL (Japanese Pale Lager), IPA (India Pale Ale) and a White ale as the “norms”. Some of the specials have been a Belgium white, Lemon Beer, Saison, Dip hop Weizenbock, and a bunch more.
I would venture to say, some are very Japanese. I love Japanese lagers. They are great tasting, more close to the original German that they came from than what our mass produced beers have become today (Sorry, Anheuser-Busch, I love you, but Japan is better). These are not that. Very Japanese = an acquired taste. Not bad. Not that I wouldn’t drink it. Just takes some getting used to. (Way to promote the beer, ne?)
Really though, they start to grow on you like all other “weird” Japanese tastes. We’re not talking natto here (fermented soy bean brown mushy paste like substance for those not aware. Most American’s I know can’t stand it, I’ve learned to love it, but I’m also one that can’t put a finger on a food I DON’T like) but perhaps a seaweed salad. I LOVE seaweed salad. It’s a situation of the first bite being apprehensive “eh, I don’t know about this” to “man, this is really good!”. Same goes for the beers.
雨のち太陽セゾンビール
Here’s one of the special ones. 雨のち太陽セゾンビール which I’m going to take the liberty to translate to “Rainy Season Saison Beer” until one of my Japanese friends tells me different :). Would be a good one to have at Kirin’s pop-up summer venues. This one tastes like a hefeweizen. It’s definitely fruity and crisp. Great for the mild beginnings of summer.