KIRIN ICHIBAN

BEER REVIEW: 431

BREWER: Bryggt och Tappat, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany

STYLE: Lager

ABV: 5%

VESSEL: 330ml brown bottle

DATE OF POST: 9th January 2026

 

SAMMY SAY’S…

Kirin Lager is the kind of beer that turns up with a polite smile and a pressed shirt, ready to mingle but not quite ready to dance. It’s got the charm of a well-behaved guest at a garden party: pleasant, inoffensive, and just a little bit forgettable. But let’s not be too harsh. There’s fun to be had here, even if it’s the kind that involves gentle nods rather than belly laughs.
The pour is clean and golden, with a fizz that’s more polite than enthusiastic. It settles quickly, leaving a modest head that vanishes like someone who’s just remembered they left the oven on. The nose is light and citrusy, with a faint whiff of grain and a whisper of lemon. It’s not going to win any awards for complexity, but it’s fresh enough to make you lean in for a second sniff.
First sip? It’s crisp. There’s a flash of malt, a touch of sweetness, and then a slightly metallic bitterness that arrives like an unexpected guest and stays just a bit too long. It’s not unpleasant, but it does make you wonder if the party’s about to wind down. There’s a hint of rice in the background – subtle, clean, and very much in keeping with Kirin’s Japanese roots – but it doesn’t do much to elevate the experience. It’s like someone brought sushi to a barbecue and forgot the soy sauce.
The mouthfeel is thin. Not watery exactly, but definitely on the lean side. It slides across the tongue like a beer that’s trying to be refreshing but forgot to bring its personality. You keep sipping, hoping it’ll thicken up or throw in a surprise, but it stays resolutely mild. It’s the kind of texture that makes you reach for crisps just to give your mouth something to do.
Packaging is solid. The gold and white label has a kind of retro elegance, and the mythical beast on the front, part dragon, part horse, part “what is that exactly?”, adds a touch of flair. It’s the kind of packaging you wouldn’t mind being seen with, even if you’re not quite sure what it’s trying to say. The name gets a tick. “Kirin” sounds cool, mysterious, and vaguely powerful. Shame the beer doesn’t quite live up to it.
It does get a nod for being easy going. You could drink this at a barbecue, a midweek dinner, or while watching a film you’ve already seen three times. It’s not going to distract you, and sometimes that’s exactly what you want. But if you’re looking for depth, complexity, or a beer that makes you sit up and say “ooh,” this isn’t it.
Kirin Lager is a bit of a let down in the nicest possible way. It promises a mythical experience and delivers something more like a polite shrug. You won’t hate it. You might even enjoy it. But you’ll probably forget it by the time you’ve finished it. And maybe that’s okay. Not every beer needs to be a revelation. Some just need to be cold, fizzy, and vaguely agreeable. Kirin ticks those boxes. And then quietly exits stage left.

Sammy’s Rating: 55%

 

JYMI SAY’S…

The year was 1995. I was working at a local sports bar cleaning snooker tables and Sammy was trying to pull in some spending money for fags, cheap lager and CDs by plying his trade at the former supermarket, Somerfield. I distinctly remember one Saturday. I was staying over at Sam’s house, we had both been working that day and had also just been paid. It was going to be a big night. It was also Sammy’s first pay cheque from Somerfield.

Now the gig I had at the sports bar was a good one. Working on a Tuesday and Saturday I would receive £40 a week to clean and iron 10 snooker tables each day. I also got unlimited free snooker as well as free beer. I really was onto a winner, especially as once I got the technique down, 10 tables only took me 90 minutes.

But back to big pay day Saturday…

I think we had stuck on a Sonic Youth record. Sam was primed, brown envelope in hand. We had no idea what it was going to contain as he had forgotten how many hours he had worked and also hadn’t been informed what rate he was on.

It’s important for context here that you remember that I was earning £40 for 3 hours work plus unlimited snooker and beer.

Envelope opened. £47.90.

‘Not bad at all son!’ I exclaimed.

‘For 21 hours work… THAT’S £2.28 A FUCKING HOUR!’ Sam wailed!

This makes me giggle to this day! Not because of Sammy’s misfortune but because of the extreme reaction. However, once we realised that we had almost £90 between us spirits were high once more and the big night out was BACK ON!

Now, you maybe wondering why I telling this completely unnecessary anecdote? Well, the free beer I was getting from the sports bar, was Kirin!

Do I remember what it was like back then? No, not at all. But I’m fairly sure I liked it.

Thirty years on, let’s see how the brew today fares…

Ok, for the European market it is now brewed in Germany, not Japan. Bit of a shame but makes sense business wise I suppose.

Beer wise I have to say that what I got was TOTALLY unexpected…

A surprisingly good full honey nose leads the way. In the mouth it’s a touch dry and a touch bitter. In the swallow there is definitely a tickle of lime. The aftertaste is bitter and hoppy with the late aftertaste being slightly acrid and a touch smoky.

Remember, this is a lager!

Now while all of this was perfectly pleasant, you can see why I was taken aback!

Kirin, though clearly tasting like a lager does not behave like one at all.

This is a decent enough beer for sure, but oddly complex for it’s style. Worth a go without a doubt but if you’re looking for a summertime crushable brew, I’d say look elsewhere.

Jymi’s Rating: 64%

 

MUSE ON BOOZE RATING: 59.5%

MOB review next weekend: VEDETT EXTRA PILSNER by BROUWERIJ DUVEL MOORTGAT

Sammy & Jymi – Musing on Booze weekly since 2017

Bluesky: @museonbooze.bsky.social

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M O B 2026

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