Kirin Ichiban

A dark gulden beer with a fast disappearing head. It has a malty aroma and a slightly malt sweet and slightly bitter taste. A very standard pilsener - but good for a japanese beer - it has more flavor than the standard japanese beer.

[Bottled (in Hong Kong, 5.5%)] Golden, average head. Striking aroma of green apples. Sweetish with concentrated juicy green apple flavour. No trace of adjuncts. The mouthfeel and flavour profile is strikingly clean, and it finishes completely without bitterness. Thankfully lacks the many off-flavours of the Carlsbergs and Heineken’s of teh world, making it a plausible choice of you want to quench your thirst without feeling any taste.

(Bottle 33 cl) British version brewed by Charles Wells in Bedford. 5,5% ABV in my version called "Kirin Ichiban Kirin’s Prime Brew". Fully golden with a creamy head. Soft, lightly sweet with both corn and rice added. Not much aroma. Or body. Or flavour. Or bitterness. But yes, it does quench your thirst. 260201

Deep gold colour (like a Bohemian pils). No real head, though. Slightly malt and oily, but only slightly so, like a very light Bohemian pils. Moderate body. Much softer than the regular Kirin Lager (which I just had). Maltiness dominates, but is not particularly well-extracted. Light grassy bitterness and continental hop undertones complement the malts. Not bitter enough to be a proper pilsner, but it has many of the same components. Decent.

33 cL bottle. Pours clear and golden yellow with a huge, dense and white head. Light citrus fruity hops/grassy nose. One dimensional flavour of grass, mild malt note and a mild bitterness into the finish.