Kirin Ichiban
Japan
The Japan Brewery Company, the forerunner of Kirin, was founded over a hundred years ago in 1885. Just three years later, in 1888, the brewing of Kirin beer began. The market warmly welcomed Kirin, recognizing the authenticity of a beer made by German brewer using German ingredients. Kirin Brewery Co., Ltd. was established in 1907, taking over the business of Japan Brewery. and ever since then the company has actively invested in facilities and made strenuous efforts to secure supplies of high–quality malt and hops. Thanks to this, Kirin beer, with its emphasis on quality, has been a favorite of beer-lovers in Japan, attaining a 60% domestic market share in 1973.
