New/Old Japanese Beer...any other re-releases you want to see?

[BeerJapan]

Kirin, the Japanese brewer, has re-released two of their original beers for their 100th anniversary. They've been a major hit so far, sold out in many places, and I personally think that the Meiji-era lager is unbelievable....possibly because it's a bit sweet, unlike most Japanese beer.

Check it out here:

http://www.kilian-nakamura.com/blog-english/?p=386

What do you think? Are there any classic beers you'd like to see come back, perhaps as a special promotion?

[dparsons]

Can't argue with them putting out a good beer. I'm not real fond of their current offering.

[ratman03]

I'm pretty sure Kirin is owned by Budweiser. Just an FYI.

If I'm going to drink Japanese anything, it's going to be sake.

[BeerJapan]

Kirin is most definitely not owned by Budweiser. Kirin is owned by....Kirin. Now, Anheuser-Busch might do something with their exports, but I have no idea.

Don't give Japanese beer such a hard time! Sapporo seems to be the main beer that gets play in the States, but I don't like it at all. Kirin's offerings are probably my favorite.

Japanese beer taxes are really high, but for some reason Belgian beers are much cheaper over here than back home. I can get a large bottle of Duvel for about $7.

Oh...FYI for anyone who wants to impress at a Japanese restaurant. "Sake" just means "alcohol", but what you're thinking of is "nihonshu" which means "Japanese alcohol".

[newportstorm]

Originally posted by BeerJapan
Kirin is most definitely not owned by Budweiser. Kirin is owned by....Kirin. Now, Anheuser-Busch might do something with their exports, but I have no idea.


A-B does not own Kirin. However, A-B has brewed and distributed Kirin for the US market for a decade now (Los Angeles brewery). And this summer they announced they would take over all marketing and sales for the Kirin brands in the US. It basically means A-B isn't simply paid to contract brew and distribute Kirin, but is responsible for the P&L of the brand.

Likewise, Kirin has brewed Budweiser for A-B in the Japanese market.

What does this all mean? Drink what you like.

Cheers!

[BeerJapan]

Originally posted by newportstorm

Likewise, Kirin has brewed Budweiser for A-B in the Japanese market.


Well, that explains why Budweiser is so cheap here!

[MeridianFC]

It be curious to try to the actual Japanese Kirin. Most of the Japanese brew that can be found in the US is somewhere between bland and not very exciting. I'll own to drinking so Sapporo when at my local sushi-ya.

The best brew from Nippon we get hereabouts is definitely the Hitachino Nest (Kuichi Brewery). The price is very dear though so I don't get it that often.

I've read in the Michael Jackson books about some interesting brews made by some of the bigger makers over there, including a Black Beer I'd love to try. I'm of the impression that it's very difficult for the type of microbrew culture we have here to flourish, owing to customer demand and government regulation, is that true? Obviously there are some significant differences in the Japanese and American palates.

[BeerJapan]

It's actually illegal to homebrew in Japan due to laws that stretch way back to the Meiji era. Typical government garbage in order to generate revenue, though consumption laws are pretty much non-existent. This means there is no "carding" of people, you can buy any kind of alcohol nearly anywhere 24 hours a day, and you can consume said alcohol anywhere without fear. Japan, contrary to popular belief, is much more free than America in many ways.

The homebrew thing, of course, sucks. There are many microbreweries popping up these days though. A local one here in Ise-shi is from Biagura, and they make a great pale ale.

When i'm back home I usually drink beer I can't get here, so I've never made a comparison between the Japanese/American made "Japanese" beers, but I'm sure they're quite different.

Beer in Japan is a complicated issue, mostly due to stupid laws. However, being free to drink it anywhere I want makes it taste much better :-)

[MeridianFC]

How many Microsbrew/Craft brewers are there in Japan now? Other than the one you mention are there any you'd recommend?

[BeerJapan]

I have no idea....lots. I think most decent sized towns have a local brewery these days. I can't really tell ya, but I've had some good beer from Takayama as well.

[MeridianFC]

Get out there in the field and do some reporting for us. :D

BTW what are you doing up at this hour?

[chazwicke]

Originally posted by MeridianFC

I've read in the Michael Jackson books about some interesting brews made by some of the bigger makers over there, including a Black Beer I'd love to try. .

Years ago Michael Jackson brought the first Kirin Ichiban in the States to the Brickskeller for a tasting. It was a promotional campaign before they released it here.

I'm just sorry that I dropped my dated, commemorative glass when crossing the street in front of the Bricks.