Kirin Ichiban
Kirin Brewery Company, Limited

Kirin IchibanKirin Ichiban
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From:
Kirin Brewery Company, Limited
 
Japan
Style:
American Lager
Ranked #311
ABV:
5%
Score:
64
Ranked #28,379
Avg:
2.74 | pDev: 22.99%
Reviews:
692
Ratings:
2,135
Status:
Active
Rated:
Feb 15, 2024
Added:
Aug 17, 2001
Wants:
  22
Gots:
  479
Kirin Ichiban is one of the world's most unique premium beers. The Ichiban shibori process uses only the most flavorful portion of the finest ingredients.

100% Malt.
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Ratings by JF1917:
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Rated by JF1917 from Georgia

2.5/5  rDev -8.8%

Oct 27, 2013
More User Ratings:
 
Rated: 3.25 by alexsergio from New York

Feb 15, 2024
 
Rated: 3.37 by Supper1

Jan 29, 2024
Photo of Nath91
Reviewed by Nath91 from Australia

3.71/5  rDev +35.4%
look: 3 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
Another popular beer here in Australia. Japanese beers are very popular. Purchased at the Glenfield Bottle Shop, Sydney.

Kirin, own Lion, who are Tooheys. Thus, this beer is actually brewed under license here in Australia. Kirin/Lion/Tooheys have multiple breweries around Australia, so it's not specified where.

Vessel: 330ml brown glass bottle. Attractive Gold label gives it a classy Japanese vibe, compared to say Asahi which label gives off a more modernised sleek vibe. Best Before Is 7 Feb 2024.

Appearance: Dark yellow golden. Completely clear, with a thin white head. Looks standard lagerish.

Aroma: Strong citrus grassy notes, with a smooth malty creaminess. Being a Japanese beer I think its made with rice.

Taste: Nice grassy hop flavour and bitterness provides a refreshing crispness, with a smooth creamy malty undertone. Finishes dry.

Feel: Nicely carbonated. Thinish mouthfeel, a good accompanying beer for a solid Asian meal or seafood. Not quite as malty as Asahi or Sapporo, but has very good European Pale Lager vibes.

Overall: Clean, Crisp, Refreshing. A good lager.

#️⃣1️⃣1️⃣9️⃣
Jan 10, 2024
 
Rated: 3.32 by funku2 from Colorado

Jan 08, 2024
Photo of tekstr1der
Reviewed by tekstr1der from New Hampshire

4.2/5  rDev +53.3%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
I thought this one was fantastic despite the otherwise low aggregate score. A really tasty malt character provides the backbone for a very drinkable and enjoyable lager. I'd happily have this one again any time.
Dec 29, 2023
 
Rated: 4.12 by Luca2020 from Massachusetts

Nov 28, 2023
Photo of Luscious_Malfoy
Reviewed by Luscious_Malfoy from Illinois

3.89/5  rDev +42%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
poured from a 22oz bottle into a standard shaker pint glass. pours straw gold with two fingers of thick white foam head it has a sweet, bread-like malt presence on the nose and taste. it’s fairly clean and easy going. finishes a little bland. medium mouthfeel. carbonation is good but it’s a little watery. haven’t had this in years and while it’s certainly not great it was refreshing and a nice accompaniment to hibachi night.
Nov 05, 2023
Photo of Rke1000
Rated by Rke1000 from New York

3.27/5  rDev +19.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.25
Why bother to review when the Dr from Canada got it all exactly correct in his 9/2 review.
Nov 05, 2023
 
Rated: 3.25 by FZR23 from Romania

Nov 03, 2023
 
Rated: 3.35 by o29 from Texas

Oct 25, 2023
 
Rated: 3.08 by ScrantanDave from England

Sep 28, 2023
Photo of buckthehog
Rated by buckthehog from Texas

3.69/5  rDev +34.7%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
Malty and effervescent. What is the Ichiban Shibiori process? Show me Paint the fence!
Sep 26, 2023
 
Rated: 3.25 by West_Chester_Ale_Tester from Ohio

Sep 24, 2023
 
Rated: 1 by BrisLoganite from Australia

Sep 18, 2023
 
Rated: 3.31 by BKotch from Texas

Sep 09, 2023
 
Rated: 1 by doctorgary from New York

Sep 07, 2023
 
Rated: 2.75 by dafla67 from Pennsylvania

Sep 05, 2023
 
Rated: 2.75 by RalphStanley34 from French Polynesia

Sep 03, 2023
Photo of TheDoctor
Reviewed by TheDoctor from Canada (QC)

3.59/5  rDev +31%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
Polished brass color with a decent head that fizzily drops to a white sheet, leaving little lacing. Nose is toasty malt sweetness, with a crisp mineral whiff, and a caramelish malt sweetness that's neither pleasant nor unpleasant, but which is most definitely there. It is round-feeling and has a pretty rich malt character all the way through the finish, medium carbonation. Honestly a more complex beer than I was expecting, but still a little hollow and one-note in a way industrial lager all is. There is something about this can that is making me wonder but what it's lightly oxidized, but regardless a decent enough beer.

3.75...3.5...3.5...3.75...3.75
Sep 02, 2023
Kirin Ichiban from Kirin Brewery Company, Limited
Beer rating: 64 out of 100 with 2135 ratings