The Fact That Both Kirin Lager and Kirin Ichiban Shibori Are Actually Lager Beers
Hello. This is Yoshikun.
"I know Kirin Lager is a lager beer, but is Ichiban Shibori also a lager beer?"
Actually, I didn't know that either until I started studying about beer.
What surprised me even more was that
most of the standard beers sold in Japanwere
lager beers (bottom-fermented).
This time, I will introduce the "difference between lager and ale" and "why lager beer is mainstream in Japan" in an easy-to-understand way from the perspective of a beer lover.
(Although I can't drink much due to my constitution...)
The difference between lager and ale lies in the "yeast"
Broadly speaking, beer can be divided into two types:
lager beer and ale beer.
The difference lies in the yeast used and the fermentation method.
🍺Ale beer (top-fermented)
* Uses ale yeast
* Fermented at approximately 15–25°C
* Called "top-fermented" because the yeast gathers near the liquid surface during fermentation
* Characterized by a fruity and floral aroma
🍺Lager beer (bottom-fermented)
* Uses lager yeast
* Low-temperature fermentation at approximately 7–13°C
* Called "bottom-fermented" because the yeast sinks to the bottom after fermentation
* Characterized by a crisp, refreshing finish
In other words,
the name "lager" is not a product name, but
a type of beer.
Actually, most standard Japanese beers are lagers
Major Japanese beer manufacturers
need to deliver beer of the same quality no matter where it is consumed in the country.
For this reason, lager beer, which is easy to stabilize in quality and suitable for mass production, has become the mainstream.
(Lower fermentation temperatures make it harder for bacteria to enter, making quality control easier, right?)
For example,
* Kirin Lager
* Kirin Ichiban Shibori
* Asahi Super Dry
* Sapporo Black Label
* Yebisu Beer
* The Premium Malt's
These are all
lager beers (bottom-fermented).
I knew "Kirin Lager" was a lager because of its name, but
I was a little surprised to learn that even "Ichiban Shibori" and "Super Dry" were lagers.Did you all know that?
Recently, major manufacturers have also been releasing ale beers
In recent years, with the popularity of craft beer,
major manufacturers are also focusing on ale beers.
What I would like to recommend is,
・Suntory / Kaoru Ale
・Kirin / Good Ale
・Seven Premium / Ales
Both are very delicious beers where you can enjoy the floral aroma typical of ales.
If you have "only ever drunk lager," please
try comparing them at least once.
※Seven Premium / Alesis a private brand of 7-Eleven, butSuntorymanufactures it. As far as I have compared them,it tastes almost the same as Kaoru Ale,so I would like to recommend the more cost-effective Ales (180 yen excluding tax) 🍺
Why are there so many ales in craft beer?
When drinking craft beer,
you often see the label "Ale."
The reason is that
ale beer makes it easier to bring out the individuality of aroma and taste, allowing for differentiation from major manufacturers.
Temperature control and the like are said to be more difficult than for lager, but in return, the individuality of each brewery is clearly expressed.
The joy of drinking craft beer
might lie in the discovery of "It's the same beer, but it's so different!"
It tastes even better when you know why IPA is bitter
Often seen in craft beer,"IPA."
This is an abbreviation for India Pale Ale.In the 18th and 19th centuries, when transporting beer by ship from England to
India,it is said that it started withusing more hops than usual to increase shelf life so that quality could be maintained even during long voyages.Therefore, IPA has the following characteristics:
* Rich hop aroma* Firm bitterness
* Enjoyable citrus and tropical fruit-like aromas
I love IPA♪What I would like to recommend is
・Yo-Ho Brewing / India no Aooni
・Suntory / World Craft Fruity IPA (It seems to be a limited-quantity product exclusive to FamilyMart, so it hasn't been sold recently... I want it to be brought back)
It might taste bitter at first, but once you get used to it, the hop aroma becomes addictive.
Also pay attention to the liquor tax revision from October 2026
From October 2026,
the liquor tax on beer and happoshu (low-malt beer) will be unified.
Therefore,
beer will become more accessible than before, and the price difference with happoshu will almost disappear.
Personally,
I think this will lead to more people choosing beer, and the beer market will become even more exciting.
If that happens,
each beer manufacturer might also put more effort into developing new products and creating more unique beers.
As a beer lover, I'm really looking forward to it.
Summary
"Lager" is not a product name, but a type of beer.
And,
most ofJapan's standard beers are lager beers.* Kirin Lager
* Kirin Ichiban Shibori
* Asahi Super Dry
* Sapporo Black Label
* Yebisu Beer
* The Premium Malt's
Doesn't knowing that they are all lager beers change your perspective on the beer you usually drink a little?
Next time you buy beer,
it's also fun to choose by saying,
"Maybe I'll have a crisp lager today"
"Maybe I'll try a fragrant ale today."
The more you know about beer, the more delicious it becomes.
#Yoshikun