Results of Home Beer (Canned Beer) Tasting Comparisons: Summary of All 12 Sessions (Oct–Dec 2025)

I have written articles on how to conduct tasting comparisons for home beer using canned and bottled beer, as well as how to choose beers for these comparisons.

Since I conduct these tastings myself, I would like to summarize the results here.
I will also include a recommendation rating for each comparison.

1. List of Tasting Comparisons

No. 1: Asahi Super Dry Dry Crystal (can) and Asahi Super Dry (draft) (Oct 2025)

・Theme: ⑨ Tasting comparison of beers with the same brand name
・Recommendation Rating: ★★★★★☆☆☆☆☆ (5 stars)
・Comment: This was the first tasting session, which I started as a trial.

No. 2: Suntory Canned Beers (Yell's, Premium Malts, Premium Malts Kanbi na Koku) (Oct 2025)

・Theme: ⑤ Tasting comparison of ale beers from the same manufacturer / ⑥ Tasting comparison of ale vs. lager beers from the same manufacturer
・Recommendation Rating: ★★★★★★★☆☆☆ (7 stars)
・Comment: Comparing ales from the same manufacturer is quite interesting.

No. 3: Sapporo Fuyu Monogatari, Sapporo Nama Beer Kuro Label (Oct 2025)

・Theme: ④ Tasting comparison of lager beers from the same manufacturer
・Recommendation Rating: ★★★★★★★☆☆☆ (7 stars)
・Comment: You can tell the difference even between lagers from the same manufacturer.

No. 4: Kirin Lager Beer / Kirin Classic Lager / Kirin Good Ale (Nov 2025)

・Theme: ⑥ Tasting comparison of ale vs. lager beers from the same manufacturer / ⑨ Tasting comparison of beers with the same brand name
・Recommendation Rating: ★★★★★★★☆☆☆ (7 stars)
・Comment: I highly recommend this to anyone who likes Kirin beer.

No. 5: Kirin Ichiban Shibori White Beer, Sapporo Fuyu Monogatari, Sapporo SORACHI 1984 (Nov 2025)

・Theme: ⑥ Tasting comparison of ale vs. lager beers from the same manufacturer / Other (contains wheat as an ingredient)
・Recommendation Rating: ★★★★★★☆☆☆☆ (6 stars)
・Comment: I should have separated the "ingredients (wheat)" theme into its own tasting session (a lesson learned).

No. 6: The Premium Malts, The Premium Malts Yubi na Yoin, Yell's (Nov 2025)

・Theme: ④ Tasting comparison of lager beers from the same manufacturer / ⑥ Tasting comparison of ale vs. lager beers from the same manufacturer
・Recommendation Rating: ★★★★★★★★★☆ (9 stars)
・Comment: A miraculous combination where all the blended beers were hits!

No. 7: Orion The Draft, Orion Mugi Shokunin (Nov 2025)

・Theme: ④ Tasting comparison of lager beers from the same manufacturer
・Recommendation Rating: ★★★★★★☆☆☆☆ (6 stars)
・Comment: I rated this 6 stars because the blend wasn't to my personal taste.

No. 8: Asahi Super Dry (manufactured by Orion) / Super Dry (manufactured by Asahi Breweries) (Nov 2025)

・Theme: Other - Comparing the same beer from different manufacturers (Orion Breweries / Asahi Breweries)
・Recommendation Rating: ★★★★★☆☆☆☆☆ (5 stars)
・Comment: This is for beer lovers and those beyond the level of beer enthusiasts.

No. 9: Orion The Draft / Sapporo Classic (Dec 2025)

・Theme: ⑭ Tasting based on intuition, free-style tasting
・Recommendation Rating: ★★★★★★★★☆☆ (8 stars)
・Comment: A collaboration between Okinawa and Hokkaido! A collaboration that really lifts the spirits!

No. 10. Ales / Kirin Ichiban Shibori / Yebisu Beer (Dec 2025)

・Theme: ⑦ Tasting different manufacturers' ale beers × lager beers / Tasting 100% malt beers
・Recommendation Rating: ★★★★★☆☆☆☆☆ (5 stars)
・Comment: The blend didn't turn out very well.

No. 11. Ales / Kirin Good Ale (Dec 2025)

・Theme: ③ Tasting ale beers (top-fermented) against each other
・Recommendation Rating: ★★★★★☆☆☆☆☆ (5 stars)
・Comment: Maybe it's better not to blend these!? (lol

No. 12. The Vitalist / Kirin Good Ale / Premium Malts Graceful Aftertaste (Dec 2025)

・Theme: ⑦ Tasting different manufacturers' ale beers × lager beers / Tasting 100% malt beers
・Recommendation Rating: ★★★★★★☆☆☆☆ (6 stars)
・Comment: The blends were all a bit underwhelming.

2. Editor's Note

Was there any tasting that caught your interest?
I plan to continue these tastings in 2026 as well~♪

3. Combinations of major beers available on Rakuten Ichiba

These are beers that can basically be purchased at convenience stores and supermarkets.
It is also possible to buy many varieties on Rakuten Ichiba.

① 15 types Price: 5,380 yen (tax included, shipping not included) (as of Dec 31, 2025)
Please check the link for details.

② 18 types Price: 5,480 yen (tax included, shipping not included) (as of Dec 31, 2025)
Please check the link for details.

4. Visit records as a self-introduction

① Brewpub & direct-managed store hopping

② Beer bar (craft beer, etc.) / restaurant visits, event participation

③ Recommended Brewer No. 1: Hitachino Nest Beer

③ Recommended Brewer No. 2: Tochigi Micro Brewery Visit Record