There are many brands of Japanese beer, and their taste and Quality are highly praised around the world.
In this article, we will introduce the most recommended beers, Happōshu (low-malt beer) and Quasi-beers in ranking format, selected from the many brands currently available in Japan. We hope that the information in this article will be helpful when purchasing beer at supermarkets and convenience stores.
Types of Japanese beer
Japanese beer boasts a diverse lineup of various products.In fact, it can be divided into three categories based on the differences in the raw materials used: beer, Happōshu and Quasi-beer.
Beer in a broad sense refers to all of these three categories, but beer in a narrow sense refers to products that are classified as “beer” among these categories.
This is an important point when purchasing beer in Japan, so be sure to understand it.
Beer (ビール)
“Beer” refers to products that contain more than 50% malt as a raw material. It can be said that it is the most delicious of the three classifications because you can feel the rich malt flavor. However, compared to ”Happōshu” and ”Quasi-beer”, it is also more expensive because it has the highest liquor tax.
Happōshu (発泡酒)
“Happoshu” refers to products that contain less than 50% malt. The tax on liquor is lower than that of beer, so you can purchase it at a reasonable price. However, the malt flavor tends to be weaker than beer.
Quasi-beer (Daisan-no-bīru, 第3のビール)
“Quasi-beer” refers to sparkling alcohol made from ingredients other than barley or malt. The tax on liquor is quite low compared to other alcoholic beverages, so Quasi-beer is sold at the lowest price among all beer categories.
Products that are labeled as「リキュール（発泡性）」on the can fall under this Quasi-beer.
Top 7 Recommended Beers
Recommended #1 Suntory The PREMIUM MALT’S
Among Japanese beer brands, it is known as a particularly high-class beer.
The ingredients such as malt, hops, and water are of high quality, carefully selected, and crafted with a commitment to quality, making it a distinctive feature. The beer has a gentle texture and is extremely easy to drink, making it especially popular among women. Once you take a sip, you will be surprised by its delicate taste.
In Japan, it is often utilized as a gift beer.
| Brand | The PREMIUM MALT’S |
|---|---|
| Maker | Suntory |
| Alcohol degree | 5.5 % |
Recommended #2 Sapporo YEBISU
Like The PREMIUM MALT’S, this beer is synonymous with Japanese high-end beer.
YEBISU is characterized by its rich and full-bodied flavor. The sweetness from the malt and the bitterness from the hops harmonize in a well-balanced manner, making it a satisfying drink.
It is supported by many beer lovers and is also very popular as a gift beer. When you come to Japan, this is definitely the beer you want to drink.
| Brand | YEBISU |
|---|---|
| Maker | Sapporo beer |
| Alcohol degree | 5 % |
Recommended #3 Asahi Super Dry
The best-selling beer in Japan. That is Asahi Super Dry.
It is a dry beer with a suppressed sweetness, and is very popular among people of all ages in Japan, regardless of age or gender. If you are invited to a barbecue or dinner at a Japanese family in Japan, you can definitely bring Asahi Super Dry with you as a souvenir.
In Japan, it has become such a national beer that it can be said that “beer = Asahi Super Dry.”
| Brand | Super Dry |
|---|---|
| Maker | Asahi beer |
| Alcohol degree | 5 % |
Recommended #4 Kirin Ichiban Shibori
Ichiban Shibori (一番搾り) means “first press” in Japanese. And Kirin Ichiban Shibori, as the name suggests, is a beer that uses only the very first wort.
This beer was born from the passion of ”creating the beer that beer enthusiasts would find the most delicious.” It is easy to drink and has a taste that you won’t get tired of even if you drink it every day, and it has now become a standard beer in Japan.
Kirin Ichiban Shibori can be seen in many situations, such as at Izakaya (Japanese style pub), bars, and at the dinner table of Japanese families.
| Brand | Ichiban Shibori |
|---|---|
| Maker | Kirin beer |
| Alcohol degree | 5 % |
Recommended #5 Sapporo Black Label
Sapporo Black Label is a beer developed with the aim of being the “perfect draft beer.”
This beer has a creamy and smooth texture and is recommended for beer lovers.
In addition, the beer has a good balance of sweetness and bitterness, making it easy to drink, so even people who don’t usually drink beer will enjoy it.
| Brand | Black Label |
|---|---|
| Maker | Sapporo beer |
| Alcohol degree | 5 % |
Recommended #6 Asahi Super Dry Nama Jokki Can
Asahi Super Dry Nama Jokki Can is a beer that became a hot topic in the media and SNS when it was released by Asahi Beer in April 2021. At the time of its release, it was extremely popular and became a huge hit, so much so that it became a social phenomenon.
Despite being a canned beer, it has a distinctive full-open lid, allowing you to enjoy it just like a draft beer at a pub. When you open the lid, fine bubbles will gush out, so gulp it down like a mug!
| Brand | Super Dry |
|---|---|
| Maker | Asahi beer |
| Alcohol degree | 5 % |
Recommended #7 Kirin Lager Beer
Kirin Lager Beer is an authentic beer that has been loved in Japan for over 130 years since its release in 1888.
“Lager” refers to beer that is aged at low temperatures, and Kirin Lager Beer is slowly aged at a low temperature of -1℃ to bring out the full flavor.
It has a strong bitterness and richness, so it is recommended for beer lovers!
| Brand | Kirin Lager |
|---|---|
| Maker | Kirin beer |
| Alcohol degree | 5 % |
Top 4 Recommended Happōshu (Low-malt beer)
Recommended #1 Kirin Tanrei Green Label
It is a Happōshu that has a clean taste without any unpleasant tastes, and a satisfying feeling similar to that of beer.
It is also recommended for people who are concerned about their weight, as it is 70% less sugary.
The good thing about this beer is that it’s delicious, and uses the same ingredients and manufacturing methods as beer, and is 70% less sugary.
| Brand | GREEN LABEL |
|---|---|
| Maker | Kirin beer |
| Alcohol degree | 4.5 % |
Recommended #2 Asahi Style Free Perfect
Asahi Style Free Perfect is a Happōshu that is characterized by the four zeros: 0 purines, 0 carbohydrates, 0 artificial sweeteners, and 0 colorants. You can also enjoy a refreshing aftertaste and a satisfying drinking experience with 6% alcohol.
This Happōshu is often drunk by health-conscious people who want to drink alcohol every night, but are concerned about their health.
| Brand | STYLE FREE |
|---|---|
| Maker | Asahi beer |
| Alcohol degree | 6 % |
Recommended #3 Sapporo Hokkaido Nama-shibori
This Happōshu is made using carefully selected ingredients such as barley and hops from Hokkaidō.
Therefore, even though it is low-malt beer, it has a malt aroma that rivals beer. Recently, health-conscious low-malt beer with zero sugar content has become popular, but the company’s focus is on taste.
If you want to drink Happōshu that is similar to beer, this is a product you should try.
| Brand | Hokkaido Nama-shibori |
|---|---|
| Maker | Sapporo beer |
| Alcohol degree | 5.5 % |
Recommended #4 Sapporo Goku ZERO
It is a Happōshu that is both delicious and has 0 carbohydrates and 0 purines.
In particular, it is said to be the most delicious Happōshu that is low in carbohydrates. This product is recommended for those who are concerned about their health and still want to drink delicious beer.
| Brand | Goku ZERO |
|---|---|
| Maker | Sapporo beer |
| Alcohol degree | 5 % |
Top 4 Recommended Quasi-beer
Recommended #1 Asahi The Rich
This product allows you to feel the aroma, richness, and bitterness of real beer.
It is no exaggeration to say that it is the most recommended product in the Quasi-beer genre, as it has a good balance between taste and price.
| Brand | THE RICH |
|---|---|
| Maker | Asahi beer |
| Alcohol degree | 6 % |
Recommended #2 Suntory Kinmugi
This product has a reputation for ”tasting close to beer” and ”tasting even better than beer.” Also, within the same Kinmugi brand, there are products with 75% less sugar.
Kinmugi is said to be the best-selling product in the Quasi-beer genre. What does the Quasi-beer taste like? If you think so, I recommend you to try Kinmugi first.
| Brand | Kinmugi |
|---|---|
| Maker | Suntory |
| Alcohol degree | 5 % |
Recommended #3 Sapporo Gold Star
This product is made using a unique manufacturing method and carefully selected materials. It is unique in that it is made by combining the aroma hops used in the same Sapporo Beer product ”YEBISU” and the malt used in ”Sapporo Black Label.”
Therefore, its aroma and taste are very similar to beer.
| Brand | GOLD STAR |
|---|---|
| Maker | Sapporo beer |
| Alcohol degree | 5 % |
Recommended #4 Asahi Off
The biggest feature is that it contains 0 purines, 0 carbohydrates, and 0 artificial sweeteners, and has 22 kcal/100 ml of calories.
Also, the alcohol content is low at 3% to 4%, so you can casually drink it at night when you don’t want to get drunk. This product is popular among health-conscious people.
| Brand | Asahi Off |
|---|---|
| Maker | Asahi beer |
| Alcohol degree | 3% ~ 4% |
Summary
In this article, we introduced Japan’s recommended beers in a ranking format.
Each beer is one that I would like you to try at least once. Whether it’s for gifting to someone you’re grateful for, enjoying a luxurious beer on special occasions, or having a beer for everyday evening drinks, it’s good to separate them based on your purpose.
Be sure to try Japanese beer, which is highly rated around the world.
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