Japanese Beer is on the Rise

Japan has four major beer companies. Kirin, Suntory, Asahi, and Sapporo. All four companies are reporting increased profits this past quarter. I think in the US we mostly see Asahi and Sapporo. Which one do you like? (Image: Sandeep Makam)

Comments

[kups]

kirin is deceivingly strong with its light taste. my fave sushi place has 1/2 off on kirin after 10pm in new york's st. marks. i'm usually hammered by closing. :) careful on using it as a sake chaser though as i almost didn't make it to the subway 2 blocks away. haha

[Michael Durant]

Asahi Super Dry is the best beer around. I can only find it at two stores here in Washington state.

[Dak Roland]

I've had Asahi Super Dry and Sapporo, and I prefer Asahi. Unfortunately, it's not available where I live.

[Jeff]

I've posted about Japanese beer on my own blog - love it, but only the real stuff. In America, it's very hard to find actual Japanese beer anymore - look at the bottle (or can) and you'll find what you're drinking is most likely brewed in Canada (Sapporo, Asahi) or Los Angeles (Kirin). It does taste different because the ingredients are North American.

I loooooooove Sapporo in Japan. Last time I was there, we went to the Yebisu beer museum where they've got both Sapporo and Yebisu on draft, fresh from the actual brewery (which is elsewhere in Tokyo). That was some of the best beer I've had.

[ikuma]

I'm not much of a beer drinker even though I live in Germany, but I do like kirin 一番絞り pretty much. I also like Yebisu, Sapporo and Asahi a bit less though.

[sandkat]

Asahi Kuro Nama is my fav, although it seems rather hard to find. Then followed closely by Asahi Super Dry.

I'm an Asahi girl all the way :D

[stevicus]

hey ikuma, I think you mean 一番搾り...

[Javatrader]

I love the fact that this post has received more comments than any I have seen in awhile.
I guess it tells Lisa alot more about her audience *wink* *hic*

Karakuchi for me baby...bottles only!

[Jeff]

Javatrader:

and that was my first comment ever on this blog!

The way to a man's heart is through his liver.

[vagrant]

Asahi Super Dry is pretty good, but lately we've been trying the various "zero" beers that everyone is pushing.

[Greg]

I always like Sapporo but Asahi is good too. I also like to get an Orion once in a while.

[Kenzo]

If I remember, they all had pretty low sales last year. The price increases must have helped add a bit to the bottom line.

I like Ebisu and Suntory Malts myself. Though, there's a small brewery in Numazu called Baird Beer that makes some of the best stuff I've ever had. Hard to find on tap in Tokyo, but a few places have it.

[rbst]

I have to go with Kirin then Sapporo.

[Pon-chyan]

Kirin Ichiban-shibori and Sapporo Yebisu are the best.
I used to drink a Fuyumonogatari from Sapporo. I wonder if they still brew that.
Suntory Malts is good in a pinch.
Asahi Superdry is for people who don't like beer.

[Pon-chyan]

FYI, Orion is Korean.

[Greg]

@pon-chyan: this is the one I'm referring to, it's made in okinawa:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orion_Breweries

OB beer is another brand, same initials but is Korean.

[David Huff]

They're all pretty good, but I think that Sapporo Black (Stout Draft) is my favorite:

http://beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/284/1479

[David Huff]

They're all pretty good, but I think that Sapporo Black (Stout Draft) is my favorite:

http://beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/284/1479

[David Huff]

They're all pretty good, but I think that Sapporo Black (Stout Draft) is my favorite:

http://beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/284/1479