Kirin Tanrei
Kirin Brewery Company, Limited

Kirin TanreiKirin Tanrei
Beer Geek Stats | Print Shelf Talker
From:
Kirin Brewery Company, Limited
 
Japan
Style:
Happoshu
Ranked #7
ABV:
5.5%
Score:
66
Ranked #28,253
Avg:
2.71 | pDev: 22.51%
Reviews:
41
Ratings:
82
Status:
Active
Rated:
Feb 08, 2023
Added:
Jun 16, 2004
Wants:
  24
Gots:
  8
No description / notes.
View: More Beers
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Ratings by shivtim:
Photo of shivtim
Reviewed by shivtim from Georgia

1.85/5  rDev -31.7%
look: 2 | smell: 2 | taste: 1.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2
Grabbed a can of Tanrei Draft from Family Mart. It's themed to the national soccer team ("Samurai Blue"). I wasn't expecting this to be any good, but was happy to try a new style of beer.

Another clear brew. Light yellow. Small white head. Quite effervescent.
Nose is grains and aluminum.

The taste is very bland. Maybe a slight hint of malts... mostly just watery indistinct rice/corn (?) and an iron-ey tinge. Even a bit of weird ethanol burn. Really not that good, verging on bad.

Mouthfeel is OK. Slightly watery, but well carbonated.

Overall not good. To be avoided.
Nov 24, 2011
More User Ratings:
 
Rated: 2.22 by mmmbeerNY from New York

Feb 08, 2023
Photo of monkist
Reviewed by monkist from Hungary

1.95/5  rDev -28%
look: 2 | smell: 2 | taste: 2 | feel: 1.5 | overall: 2
Okay they call this Kirin Tanrei - Gokujo Nama which is an euphemism to say the least. This is neither first rate nor draft as it is trying to suggest. It is a sickening cr@p.
The main problem with this is that they are trying too hard (typical of many Japanese beers.) They are trying to imitate a kind of hop taste that doesn’t exist and tastes like detergent or some kind of dish soap. Other than that? Not much is left, the artificial flavor is just way too overwhelming. Had this once, had it again for the review but it was a mistake. Never again.
Mar 04, 2022
Photo of ScaryEd
Reviewed by ScaryEd from New Hampshire

2.53/5  rDev -6.6%
look: 3 | smell: 1.25 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 2.5
I hate being a ticker, but this is the only style of beer I've never tried. I didn't really "seek" it out, but a friend of mine acquired this (I don't know how nor do I care) and gifted it to me.

Drank from the can so given a neutral rating for appearance.

The aroma is...odd. Notes of rice and corn, as expected, but there's some... squash in there? Followed by a bit of bread before being skunked in the face. Not pleasant.

The flavor is pretty much what you would expect from a typical adjunct lager: Corn, rice, bread, and a touch of hops. Not good but not bad either.

The feel is light and well carbonated. Crisp and drinkable. Not bad.

Overall, I guess I'm glad I get to finally tick this style off the list, but as a beer it's just not good. It's basically on par with an average-at-best AAL.
Sep 27, 2020
Photo of MonDak_Joe1953
Reviewed by MonDak_Joe1953 from Minnesota

2.96/5  rDev +9.2%
look: 3.25 | smell: 2.75 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3
Obtained via trade from the very generous BA member, Harrison8.
Poured from what looks to be a 12oz (maybe 11.2oz) can into glass. Mostly Japanese language information on the can. The most English displayed is this slogan, "Sheer refreshment! Open up the smooth taste that goes perfectly with good times.". This is the white colored can with the gold bands and mythical figure. Bottom of can is stamped, which looks to be a canning date in '2018.08', with a best by date of '2019.04'.
Clear, straw colored body. About one finger of white, bubbly head upon pouring, which recedes back to thin cap. Leaves behind some spot patterns of lacing.
Faint aroma of grain used in the brewing.
Taste is of a grain malt, but much different from a barley malt. To me it tastes like sorghum would taste if brewed. Kind of sweet. Thin taste profile that does not last long.
Thin mouth feel. Good carbonation. Very easy to drink and provides some refreshment.
I have been trying to figure out how to obtain a Happoshu beer, to check the beer style. The trade opportunity with Harrison8 appeared, and he was gracious enough to hear my entreaty. The real joy is in getting to drink a Happoshu style beer, but the beer itself is okay, and certainly not terrible.
Nov 29, 2018
 
Rated: 3.49 by alexsergio from New York

Oct 12, 2018
Photo of Harrison8
Reviewed by Harrison8 from Missouri

3.51/5  rDev +29.5%
look: 3.25 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.5
Pours yellow with a finger of foamy head. Head retains fairly well, with a thin veil of foam remaining for a long while. Aroma is very dry and condense, hitting notes of pilsner, bread, sweet potato and light cleaner vibe. Flavor profile is pilsner, bread, and caramel malts through and through. It lightly sweetens at the finish, landing more in caramel and yeast ester territory. It has a finish similar to a standard lager. Mouth feel is slightly fuzzy, giving it a light velvety texture that combines well with the light effervescence. It has a medium thickness. Overall, a refreshing take on the style. It drinks like a pretty standard lager.

Served in a 12oz snifter from a 16oz equivalent can.
Sep 30, 2018
Photo of VABA
Reviewed by VABA from Virginia

2.75/5  rDev +1.5%
look: 2.75 | smell: 2.75 | taste: 2.75 | feel: 2.75 | overall: 2.75
i tried this at a Lotte store with lunch. The beer was nondescript but it went well with the BibimBap as it was light in alcohol and was decently carbonated.
Jan 07, 2018
 
Rated: 2 by ThisSeasonsWaifu from Sweden

Jul 27, 2016
 
Rated: 2.64 by bird_soul from Netherlands

Jun 28, 2016
 
Rated: 3 by Raime from Korea (North)

Oct 14, 2015
 
Rated: 2.99 by johnyb from Florida

Aug 03, 2015
 
Rated: 2.03 by LakerLeith from California

Jul 21, 2015
Photo of TNeedles
Rated by TNeedles from California

1.24/5  rDev -54.2%
look: 1 | smell: 1.25 | taste: 1.25 | feel: 1.25 | overall: 1.25
goes with sushi I guess?
Jul 15, 2015
 
Rated: 2.5 by DrMindbender from South Carolina

Jul 09, 2015
 
Rated: 2.59 by MisterKilderkin from California

May 28, 2015
 
Rated: 2.75 by Iamjeff6 from Virginia

Apr 13, 2015
 
Rated: 3.21 by Drift from California

Mar 04, 2015
 
Rated: 4.56 by Artoffence

Nov 24, 2014
 
Rated: 2 by JMS1512 from New Jersey

Oct 31, 2014
Kirin Tanrei from Kirin Brewery Company, Limited
Beer rating: 66 out of 100 with 82 ratings