RateBeer
Score
967
OVERALLStyle
Brewed by Tooheys (Lion Nathan Co.)
Style: Pale Lager
Lidcombe, Australia

bottled
available

on tap
unknown

distribution
unknown

Add Distribution Data
RATINGS: 21   MEAN: 2.06/5.0   WEIGHTED AVG: 2.22   EST. CALORIES: 150   ABV: 5%
Share this beer with friends!
COMMERCIAL DESCRIPTION
Kirin Premium Reserve Beer - First Press Method for a pure smooth taste - Kirin since 1888. "In Japan, purity is one of the highest pursuits of brewing. With Kirin this reveals itself in the special method of Ichiban, a word meaning first. Only the first liquid drawn from the finest barley malt mash is then combined with Noble hops. This first press method ensures purity and smoothness. The result is a Premium Reserve Beer." "Kirin is the name of an ancient mythical beast, which fortells the coming of festive and joyful events. When the Kirin appears, good fortune and good beer soon follow." Lion Nathan Australia has launched a new addition to its portfolio of premium beers—Kirin Ichiban First Press Beer. The launch is the result of a manufacturing and distribution agreement between Lion Nathan and the Kirin Brewery Company in Japan. Under the agreement the Japanese-brewed versions of Kirin Ichiban and Kirin Lager have ceased to be imported into Australia and New Zealand. They have been replaced with the locally brewed version of Kirin Ichiban First Press Beer. The premium lager is brewed and bottled at Lion Nathan’s Malt Shovel Brewery in Camperdown, Sydney, and features new packaging graphics will be unique to Australia and New Zealand. Lion Nathan Australia managing director Andrew Reeves said Kirin Ichiban was a natural fit for the company’s current portfolio. “Kirin Ichiban First Press Beer combines the strong cultural heritage of the Kirin brand with the pure, smooth taste of a locally-brewed premium beer,” Reeves said. “We expect the beer to be embraced by drinkers as the premium beer market in Australia continues to grow.”


highest score

3.3
   AROMA 6/10   APPEARANCE 4/5   TASTE 6/10   PALATE 4/5   OVERALL 13/20
Pyobon (728) - Sydney, AUSTRALIA - MAR 17, 2012
(On tap @ Ocean Room. Note that this seems (also) to be sold in Australia as Kirin Megumi - see the Kirin Australia website www.kirinbeer.com.au which refers to it as both First Pressed and Megumi). Clear pale straw with good white head. Subtle aroma that is sweet and malty. Lively carbonation gives good mouthfeel. Flavour is basic sweet light malt with some bitterness in finish. Overall, this beer is fine. No way is it a great beer, but for its style it is good and, as when I sampled it, with a Japanese meal it works well.

3.3
   AROMA 7/10   APPEARANCE 3/5   TASTE 6/10   PALATE 2/5   OVERALL 15/20
blackbock (100) - Shoalhaven NSW, AUSTRALIA - NOV 12, 2009
(bottle) A pale megalager. Tastes a lot like its Tooheys and Hahn cousins. Clean on the palate and very refreshing. There is some hop flavour there, although bitterness is not very prominent. Nothing to write home about.

2.8
   AROMA 3/10   APPEARANCE 3/5   TASTE 7/10   PALATE 3/5   OVERALL 12/20
Rangi (380) - NEW ZEALAND - MAR 29, 2012
Always enjoy a Kirin after a hot day wondering around the shops with the missus. It’s clean, cisp, and refreshing and goes down so easy so you can sneak down 2-3 pints to numb the pain before shoping recommences. A good beer to order while you make your mind up about the beer you realy want to order.

2.6
   AROMA 5/10   APPEARANCE 3/5   TASTE 5/10   PALATE 3/5   OVERALL 10/20
BarossaLuke (494) - AUSTRALIA - MAR 15, 2008
A very pale lager without much of a head. Light malty aroma with just a hint of hops and a corn like aroma probably from adjuncts. On the palate there’s a touch of sweetness and that corny flavour again. Very light, refreshing but finishes slightly sweet. Brewed under license by Lion Nathan in Australia.

2.5
   AROMA 5/10   APPEARANCE 2/5   TASTE 5/10   PALATE 2/5   OVERALL 11/20
DuffMan (5186) - the land of bitumen, beef & beer, Alberta, CANADA - JUL 31, 2009
Bottle. Clear golden, average white head. Aroma of pale cereal malts with a low skunky hop note. Flavour is clean pale malts with some nice grassy hop flavour and low bitterness in the finish. Finish is quite dry. I had this with blue cod fried with garlic, ginger, hot chili, and lemon and it was a very nice pairing. The mood and the food brought out the best in what is an average lager.

2.4
   AROMA 4/10   APPEARANCE 3/5   TASTE 4/10   PALATE 3/5   OVERALL 10/20
Jade (380) - AUSTRALIA - FEB 16, 2010
Hazy golden colouring, quite highly carbonated when poured. Frothy white head. Earthy, bready aroma that is not entirely unplesant, not great either. Taste is very similar to a mass produced Australian lager. It’s not bad - it’s a fairly pedestrian beer.

2.3
   AROMA 2/10   APPEARANCE 3/5   TASTE 5/10   PALATE 3/5   OVERALL 10/20
deusax (387) - Christchurch, NEW ZEALAND - APR 9, 2012
Typical mass produced lager, nothing original here. Not bad, but not good either

2.1
   AROMA 3/10   APPEARANCE 3/5   TASTE 5/10   PALATE 2/5   OVERALL 8/20
mkel07 (2340) - Brisbane, AUSTRALIA - AUG 11, 2009
330ml bottle. Snow white foam cap taht collapses quickly. Plae and clear with good carbonation and a basic hop aroma. Overall rather bland and uninspiring with a medium level of bitterness. All in all nothing to get excited about.

2
   AROMA 4/10   APPEARANCE 2/5   TASTE 4/10   PALATE 2/5   OVERALL 8/20
davidm (1772) - Melbourne, AUSTRALIA - FEB 18, 2011
Bottle 330ml. Pretty boring. Aromas of straw and a hint of citrus. Taste is sweet, with light bitterness, and short-lived. Thin and watery in the palate. Pale yellow, with a head that doesn’t last.

2
   AROMA 4/10   APPEARANCE 2/5   TASTE 4/10   PALATE 3/5   OVERALL 7/20
Stew41 (1569) - Woodend, AUSTRALIA - MAR 12, 2012
No better or worse than any other local pale lager, albeit I think this is brewed under licence? Dry structure, not too fizzy, some sweetness late (of the corn kind) and inoffensive. Certainly a better option than VB and the like.


We Want To Hear From You



Join us! RateBeer is made by beer enthusiasts for the craft beer community. Your basic membership is free and allows you to read all beer ratings. Click here to create your account... and give your opinion!

Join Us »




View Page
1 2 3


Tick this beer

for your profile
  • Currently 0/5 Stars.
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5


tags




Copyright © 2000-2013,
RateBeer LLC. All rights
reserved.
about us
About RateBeer
FAQ
Contact/Feedback
New Beers
add
Advanced Search
Add A Beer
Add A Brewer
Add A Place
Events
membership
Log In
Edit Personal Info
Buy Premium Membership
Your Messages
the best
RateBeer Best
100 Beer Club
The Top 50