Results: A Brief History of Beer in Japan

In 1886 a group of entrepreneurs bought the company and turned it into the Sapporo Beer company. Beer gradually became more popular in Japan and around this time competition from other breweries increased, with fierce competition for market share occurring at the latter end of the nineteenth century. Three of the four major companies then merged to form 'Dai Nippon Beer Company' in 1897, controlling 70% of the domestic beer market. Have you ever enjoyed Sapporo Beer?

Sapporo is now known for its signature Sapporo Beer, as well as Yebisu and its Black Label range. Asahi Breweries has an equally long history, being born out of the Osaka Beer Brewing Company in 1889 and, as the name suggests, based in the western part of Japan. Incidentally, Asahi Beer was awarded the Grand Prix at the Chicago World Fair in 1893 only four years after the company was established. Asahi has also launched several brands during its long history, including a stout in 1935. Have you enjoyed Asahi Super Dry Beer?

The Japan Brewery Company, was founded in Yokohama in 1885 by William Henry Talbot and Edgar Abbott. In 1888, they launched Kirin Beer. In 1907, the business of JBC was inherited, and Kirin Brewery Company was established. Beer became a more popular drink during Japan's democratization period in the 1910s and 1920s, through the Taisho and into the Showa period, and beer halls began popping up in the major cities. The Dai Nippon Company split in two after the war in 1949, and Asahi Breweries and Nippon Breweries were formed. Nippon Breweries eventually was absorbed into Sapporo Breweries in 1964 following increased demand for Sapporo Beer. Kirin is a top beer in Japan today. Have you ever been on a Brewery and Beer Tastng Tour in Japan?

In Japan as a whole there are roughly 300 micro-breweries, and when initially starting out, many of them turned to German or American micro-brewers for brewing advice, meaning that a steady stream of decent micro-brews are now being produced. Beer sales now outnumber sake sales considerably. Minoh Beer, is a female powered craft brewery that was won multiple awards. They are brewing new attitudes. Since 2011 they have won 8 Gold Medals. Have you enjoyed Minoh Beer?

Zero Alcohol Beer & Low Calorie Beer A recent trend has seen the big four Japanese breweries all produce "zero" alcohol beers and a range of low calorie brews. Non-alco holic beer has been around for a long time. In Japan, imported non-alcoholic beer has been available since the early 1980s, but it didn't become popular until after passing into the new millennium. From there, Japanese beverage companies have been launching their versions of non-alcoholic beers. Here are the Top 10 Asahi Dry Zero, Kirin Zero Ichi, Kirin Perfect Free, Asahi Dry Zero Free, Suntory All Free, Sapporo Umami Shibori, Suntory "Karada wo Omou" All Free, Ryoma 1865, NINJA LAGER, and Otaru beer (non-alcoholic). Have you enjoyed any non-alcoholic or low calorie Japanese Beers?