Japanese beer has been evolving since its first production approximately 150 years ago. As you can see from the picture taken from a random convenience store that is all over the country, there are tons of Japanese beer to choose from that may be overwhelming. This blog post is your passport to discovering 10 of the best Japanese beers with different styles for all kinds of beer lovers. From the most widely popular pilsners to the unique craft ales, we’ll be exploring a variety of brews that truly encapsulate the spirit of Japanese craftsmanship.
Whether you’re a beer connoisseur looking to expand your horizons, or a casual drinker curious about what Japan’s breweries have to offer, this guide is for you to check out the best Japanese beer!
10 Best Japanese Beer
Spring Valley Houjun 496
Style: Indian Pale Lager
This craft beer has won 69 medals in national and international beer competitions through 2021. Five carefully selected hop varieties are combined and soaked for seven days to achieve a well-balanced and pleasant aroma. Another key point is that you can enjoy its beautiful amber-colored body. It has a mellow, full-bodied flavor with a refreshing finish.
Spring Valley Silk Ale (White)
Style: White Ale
You can enjoy a silky, fine, mellow mouthfeel. When poured into a glass, it is characterized by fine bubbles derived from wheat malt. The hops used in this beer are partially made from Nelson Sauvin hops, a rare variety of hops produced in New Zealand. The gorgeous aroma of hops spreads in the mouth. Recommended for craft beer beginners.
Yona Yona Ale
Style: American Pale Ale
This Japanese beer was born in Nagano Prefecture and features a fresh flavor reminiscent of citrus fruits, derived from the aromatic “Cascade Hop”. Classified as an American Pale Ale, its gorgeous hop aroma can be enjoyed with little bitterness, allowing you to taste the rich malt flavor. Its beautiful amber-colored body can be enjoyed by pouring it into a glass.
Sapporo Draft Beer Black Label
Style: Pilsner
This is Sapporo’s long-selling beer with many deep-rooted fans. It is popular among beer lovers because it has a strong bitterness with a delicious barley flavor.
The use of the manufacturer’s original “malt for long lasting flavor” allows the beer’s flavor and aroma to be enjoyed for a long time, and it is also characterized by its long-lasting bubbles. Although beginners tend to find it peculiar, its unique flavor sets it apart from others.
Asahi Super Dry Draft Can
Style: Pilsner
Based off of Asahi’s Super Dry, which was launched in 1987 as Japan’s first dry beer. This “Draft Can” version is the world’s first with a fully open top lid that creates a creamy foam once it is open. This product became so popular that shipments were temporarily suspended. Make sure the beer is chilled enough, as foams may burst on opening of the can if not chilled! Recommended for those who value thirst-quenching taste.
The Premium Malt’s
Style: Pilsner
In 2005, it became the first beer in Japan to win the Monde Selection top gold medal. It is a premium beer with a gorgeous aroma, deep richness, and fine foam. The brewer uses carefully selected malt twice in the brewing process to bring out the best flavor from the clear natural water used as the base. The aroma of two types of aroma hops, which are added at different times, creates a happy aftertaste after drinking.
The Premium Malt’s Diamond Hop
Style: Pilsner
This is partially made from the ultra-rare Diamond hop variety.The aroma is fruity, reminiscent of apples and peaches. The aroma is predominantly bright and sweet, but there is also a clean, herbal aroma. The aroma is gorgeous, but the taste is refreshing, making it suitable for everyone from beginners to advanced drinkers.
Premium Yebisu
Style: Dortmunder
This beer was launched as a pioneer of premium beers in Japan, and has established itself since. It is characterized by a gorgeous aroma created by the use of special Yebisu yeast and a rich, full-bodied flavor created by the long aging process. It is ideal for savoring the rich flavor slowly.
Suiyoubi No Neko
Style: Belgian White Ale
The sweetness and bitterness are mild and fresh. It has a refreshing taste that does not linger on the palate. Because it is filtered for ease of drinking, it has a clear color rather than the cloudy white ale that is common. Just a little closer to the nose, you can clearly detect a banana-like aroma. Recommended as an introduction to white ales.
Tokyo Craft
Style: IPA
This IPA is produced at a natural water brewery in Musashino, Tokyo. The strong bitterness is impressive, as if one is chewing citrus peel, and it lingers for a long time. It is a beer that goes well with food, as it has a slightly light and pleasant thirst-quenching taste. It is readily available at convenience stores and supermarkets, so IPA lovers should definitely give it a try.
Summary
And there you have it – a guide to 10 of the best Japanese beers! We hope this post has inspired you to try out some (if not all) of the special beer that is created in Japan. You’ll be able to find all of it at convenience stores, so we really do recommend giving it all a try to find your own favorite!
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