Beer has been walloped by cheaper and perceivably healthier alcohol drinks.

Saturday 27th September, 06:46 AM JST

Tokushi Yamasaki, an analyst at Daiwa Institute of Research. Times are tough for Japan’s brewers as young people lose their taste for lager. (Reuters)

11 Comments

Naruki_Oni at 08:39 PM JST - 27th September

Most Japanese beer sucks ass anyway, same as most American beer (which actually swallows, so it's worse than Japanese).

The microbrews (or ji-biiru) are the best in both countries. Or... try a beer from another country.

There is nothing like a pint of Guinness draught, or Newcastle (if you drink enough), or Old Speckled Hen, or a thousand other beers that are either unavailable or priced beyond reason.

If you are in Japan, your choices for good beer are almost non-existent. It's no wonder people are turning away from it altogether.
Sarge at 08:47 PM JST - 27th September

"Most Japanese beer sucks"

They do not.
Sarge at 08:49 PM JST - 27th September

Asahi Super Dry - Good!

Kirin Lager - Good!

Kirin Ichiban Shibori - Good!

Sapporo Beer - Good!

Yebisu - Great!

Yebisu Kuro - Great!

I could go on...
neverknow2 at 12:53 PM JST - 28th September

Japanese beer is cheerful!
MeanRingo at 10:34 PM JST - 28th September

I actually agree with Sarge on this one. Japanese beer is fine, but there needs to be more selection, especially at bars and izzakayas where there is often only one choice. That's BS.
BlackFlag at 11:06 AM JST - 30th September

If you are in Japan, your choices for good beer are almost non-existent. It's no wonder people are turning away from it altogether.

there are plenty of good beers in Japan and plenty of imported European ones if you are still picky. all 3 supermarkets within a 10 minute radius of my house sell Guinness, Kilkenny. Chimay, Hoegarden etc and you can get it on tap at local pubs. one bar in my city, Kashiwa has a beer menu with 200 beers, including Speckled Hen, from 4 pm to 7pm everyday is also happy hour, half price. yatta
Nessie at 02:06 PM JST - 30th September

there are plenty of good beers in Japan

Plenty of good beers in Japan. Plenty of good Japanese beers, and plenty of crap ones. But no great Japanese beers.
zaichik at 11:00 AM JST - 7th October

But no great Japanese beers.

Personally, I'd be more inclined towards the view that there are no great mass-produced Japanese beers (while remaining fond of Kirin and Yebisu). I do think there are some damn fine ji-biiru (had some wonderful local brew at Tainai in Niigata Prefecture).
bushlover at 09:11 AM JST - 8th October

Zaichick is right on. The Ji-biiru is very good and any of he imported ji-biiru too. Kilkenney also can go on the list as acceptable. Lager is not the answer. Amber and Red Ales are.
Nessie at 07:50 PM JST - 8th October

The j-jibiiru is hit or miss. It can be good, but good luck finding it...
YadotNapaj at 07:32 PM JST - 13th October

Japanese beer is fine with me, but I wonder what drinks they mean when they say "healthier drinks", I hope they are not saying "shochu" is healthier than beer or wine.