Kirin Ichiban 12Pk

Kirin Ichiban 12Pk is a 12-pack of the acclaimed Japanese-style lager brewed with 100% malted barley at 5.0% ABV. This all-malt beer earned a Gold Medal at the 2022 World Beer Awards in the German Style Pilsner category, validating its clean, malt-forward character and polished drinkability.

Quick Facts: ABV: 5.0%  |  Origin: Japan (US-brewed in Fort Collins, Colorado)  |  Style: All-Malt Lager  |  Brewery: Kirin Brewery Company

Production & Heritage

Kirin Brewery Company was founded in 1907 in Yokohama, Japan, and has grown into one of the country's most recognized brewing houses. What distinguishes Ichiban from virtually every other mass-market lager is the "Ichiban Shibori" — or first-press — brewing method. Rather than using secondary pressings with hot water to extract additional wort from the mash (standard industry practice to increase yield), Kirin uses only the initial, most concentrated extraction. This first-press wort delivers a purer, richer malt character. The recipe itself is equally distinctive: Ichiban is brewed exclusively with malted barley, water, and hops — no rice, no corn adjuncts — setting it apart from competitors like Asahi Super Dry and Sapporo Premium, which rely on adjunct grains. The US market supply is brewed at Kirin's facility in Fort Collins, Colorado.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Lightly toasted malt leads, followed by a honeyed sweetness and delicate floral hop notes. Subtle suggestions of fresh hay and a faint bubblegum-like ester round out the nose.

Taste: The entry is soft and malt-driven, with flavors of fresh bread and gentle toast filling the mid-palate. A measured sweetness builds before a modest hop bitterness arrives to balance things out, keeping the profile savory rather than cloying. The medium-light body and moderate carbonation give it a dry, crisp texture that never feels heavy.

Finish: Clean and mellow, with a surprisingly polished fade. A touch of lingering malt warmth stays just long enough to invite the next sip.

How to Drink Kirin Ichiban

Serve well chilled — ideally between 38°F and 42°F — in a pilsner glass or tall tumbler to showcase its clarity and carbonation. Kirin Ichiban is built for straightforward enjoyment, but it also works in several beer-friendly drinks. A Michelada benefits from Ichiban's clean malt backbone, which won't compete with the lime and hot sauce. A Beer Highball (Hoppy style) — equal parts Ichiban and shochu over ice — plays into its Japanese roots and amplifies the dry finish. A Shandy made with fresh lemonade pairs well with the beer's subtle sweetness and floral hops, making a refreshing warm-weather drink.

Best For

• Pairing with sushi, ramen, or izakaya-style small plates
• Stocking the fridge for a backyard cookout or game day
• Introducing someone to premium Japanese-style lagers
• Serving alongside grilled seafood or yakitori

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Kirin Ichiban taste like? Kirin Ichiban has a smooth, malt-forward profile with flavors of fresh bread and light toast, balanced by a mild hop bitterness and a clean, dry finish. It is lighter-bodied than many craft lagers but carries more complexity than typical adjunct beers.

How does Kirin Ichiban compare to Sapporo Premium? Both are popular Japanese lagers, but Kirin Ichiban is brewed with 100% malted barley while Sapporo Premium uses rice as an adjunct grain. The result is that Ichiban delivers a fuller malt character with more body and breadiness, whereas Sapporo tends to be lighter and crisper on the palate.

Is Kirin Ichiban good for beginners? Kirin Ichiban is an excellent entry point into premium lagers because its clean taste and smooth texture are immediately approachable. The all-malt recipe provides enough flavor depth to be interesting without overwhelming anyone new to craft or imported beer.

Where is Kirin Ichiban made? Kirin Ichiban originates from Kirin Brewery Company, founded in 1907 in Yokohama, Japan. The beer sold in the United States is brewed at Kirin's facility in Fort Collins, Colorado, following the same first-press method and all-malt recipe.

What foods pair well with Kirin Ichiban? Sushi and sashimi work beautifully because the beer's clean finish doesn't mask delicate fish flavors. Grilled chicken yakitori benefits from the malt sweetness cutting through the smoky char. Gyoza and tempura pair well since the carbonation and dry finish cleanse the palate between bites. Spicy Thai or Korean dishes are balanced by the beer's subtle sweetness and moderate body.

What sizes does Kirin Ichiban come in? Kirin Ichiban is available in multiple formats including single 12 oz cans and bottles, 6-packs, 12-packs, and larger 22 oz bottles depending on market availability.

Is Kirin Ichiban worth the price? Kirin Ichiban positions as a premium import-style lager, priced slightly above domestic macro lagers but generally in line with other Japanese imports like Sapporo and Asahi. The all-malt recipe and first-press brewing method deliver noticeably more flavor complexity than adjunct lagers at a similar price point, making it a strong value within its tier.

Why Kirin Ichiban?

The Ichiban Shibori first-press process is genuinely rare at this scale — most major brewers extract every possible drop from their mash, but Kirin sacrifices yield for a purer, more concentrated wort. That commitment to process, combined with a 100% malted barley recipe free of rice or corn, gives Ichiban a malt depth and breadiness that most mass-market lagers simply cannot match. Its Gold Medal at the 2022 World Beer Awards and Silver Medal at the 2024 London Beer Competition confirm that the difference is not just marketing. For anyone who drinks Japanese lagers regularly, Ichiban stands as the most malt-rich, full-flavored option in the category.