Japanese Beer In Cleveland: Where To Buy?

If you're looking to buy Japanese beer in Cleveland, there are a few options to explore. You can try local Japanese markets, such as Asia Food Company, Tink Holl Food Market, or CAM International Market. These stores offer a range of Asian products, including Japanese beverages. Additionally, online retailers like Amazon and Total Wine provide a convenient way to purchase Japanese beer, with a wide selection of brands such as Sapporo, Asahi, and Kirin. However, availability and pricing may vary by location, so it's always a good idea to check multiple sources before making a purchase.

Japanese beer in Cleveland restaurants

Japanese beer is a fermented alcoholic drink made from grain, yeast, and water. It was introduced to Japan by Dutch traders in the 17th century, and the first brewery with a focus on the local Japanese market was established in 1869 in Yokohama. Today, there are several popular Japanese beer brands, including Sapporo, Asahi, and Kirin, that can be found in restaurants across the United States and Canada. Here are some places in Cleveland where you can enjoy Japanese beer:

• Sushi Restaurants and Izakayas: Sapporo Premium Beer, often referred to as a rice lager, is commonly found in sushi restaurants and izakayas. It is light, refreshing, and subtly sweet. You can also find its competitor, Asahi Super Dry, which is very similar but with a slightly drier taste.
• Japanese Restaurants: In addition to sushi restaurants and izakayas, other Japanese restaurants in Cleveland may offer a selection of Japanese beers. These could include popular brands such as Sapporo and Asahi, as well as other options like Kirin Ichiban, which has a more intense flavor and is brewed only with malted barley.
• Asian Restaurants: While Thai or other Asian restaurants may not serve exclusively Japanese beers, you can often find popular Japanese brands such as Sapporo and Kirin on their menus. These beers go well with spicy food, so don't hesitate to pair them with your favorite Asian or Mexican dishes.
• Beer Shops or Asian Stores: If you're looking to purchase Japanese beer to enjoy at home, you can try local beer shops or Asian stores in Cleveland. These specialty stores may carry a variety of Japanese beers, including Sapporo, Kirin, and Asahi.

Buying Japanese beer online

Japanese beer is a fermented alcoholic drink made from grain, yeast, and water. While the most popular beer in Japan is Asahi Super Dry, there are many other brands to choose from, including Sapporo, Kirin, and Suntory.

Online Retailers

Japanese beer can be purchased online from various retailers, including Amazon, GotoLiquorStore, and Total Wine & More. These websites offer a wide range of Japanese beer brands, from mainstream to microbreweries, and often have delivery services available.

Availability and Pricing

The availability and pricing of Japanese beer can vary by location, but it is generally not difficult to find. Mainstream brands such as Sapporo and Kirin are widely available at beer shops or Asian stores, and can also be found at Japanese restaurants.

Types of Japanese Beer

Japanese beer comes in a variety of styles, including pale lagers, rice beers, craft beers, and dark lagers. The country's beer industry was heavily influenced by German brewers and styles during its formative years, but today, many Japanese craft beers show restraint in hop bitterness and have soft mouthfeels.

Food Pairing

Japanese beers pair well with food, especially spicy dishes and seafood. Lighter beers, such as rice lagers, go well with tempura and sushi, while bolder red rice ales complement sausages, salmon, and teriyaki.

Non-Alcoholic Options

For those looking for non-alcoholic options, Japanese brands such as Asahi, Kirin, and Suntory offer a range of beer alternatives that are ultra-light, crisp, and refreshing, with zero calories and alcohol content.

Legal Considerations

It is important to note that there may be legal restrictions on shipping alcohol to certain locations, and state regulations may apply. It is always a good idea to check the relevant laws and regulations before placing an order.

Japanese beer brands

Japanese beer has some distinct characteristics that set it apart from other beers. Some Japanese brewers add rice as an ingredient, giving the beer a lighter, crisper taste. You can also find beers with additional ingredients such as yuzu (a tart citrus fruit), sansho (a Japanese pepper), matcha green tea, and cherry blossom leaves. Japanese beer also typically has more foam than beers from other countries.

The "big four" major breweries in Japan are Asahi, Kirin, Suntory, and Sapporo, but there are also many regional and craft breweries producing a wide range of beers.

Asahi

Asahi Breweries, established in 1889, is the most popular beer in Japan, with a 36.5% market share as of 2023. Asahi beer is known for its crisp, refreshing taste and smooth texture. Its flagship product, Asahi Super Dry, is a rice lager with a dry, crisp taste and refreshing finish. Asahi also offers a non-alcoholic option called Asahi Dry Zero.

Kirin

The Kirin Brewery Company, founded in 1907, is the second most popular beer in Japan, with a market share of approximately 35% in 2023. Kirin beer is loved for its balanced taste, subtle malt sweetness, and crisp finish. Its most popular product is Kirin Ichiban Shibori, which is brewed using only the first press of the wort.

Suntory

With a 16% share of the Japanese beer market in 2023, Suntory is the third largest brewery in the country. Established in 1899, Suntory has successfully sold a range of beers, whiskeys, and soft drinks. Its flagship product is "The Premium Malts", which has a balanced flavor and clean, dry finish. Suntory also offers a non-alcoholic option called Suntory All-Free, which is also free of calories and purines.

Sapporo

Sapporo Beer, with a market share of around 12%, is the smallest of the four major beer brands in Japan. First brewed in Sapporo, Hokkaido, in 1876, Sapporo is known for its smooth, crisp flavor and refreshing finish. Its major brewery is located in the Chiba Prefecture, and it is famous for its Premium and Black Label brands, as well as the more up-market Yebisu beer.

Regional and Craft Breweries

In addition to the major breweries, there are also several regional and craft breweries in Japan that are attracting a loyal following. Some of these include:

• Orion Breweries (established in Okinawa in 1957)
• Niigata Brewery (founded in 1997 in Niigata Prefecture)
• Yo-Ho Brewing Company (founded in 1996 in Nagano Prefecture)
• The Far Yeast Brewing Company (headquartered in Tokyo)
• Shiga Kogen Beer (part of a family-owned sake brewery dating back to 1805)
• Yokohama Beer Company (founded in 1999 with a focus on sustainability)
• Rokko Beer (located in Kobe, established in 1997)
• Otaru Beer (a renowned craft brewery established in 1995 in Otaru, Hokkaido)

These breweries offer a diverse range of beers, from German-style lagers and Belgian-style ales to stouts, IPAs, and seasonal craft brews.

Japanese beer styles

Japanese beers are mostly produced by the country's four major breweries: Asahi, Kirin, Sapporo, and Suntory. These breweries mainly produce pale lagers with an ABV of around 5%. However, there has been a growth in diversity, with an explosion of different beer styles in Japan, including IPAs, Belgian-style beers, and niche beers.

Happoshu

The name "happoshu" means "sparkling alcohol" in Japanese. This style of beer has a lower amount of malt, resulting in a lighter flavour and a lower price. Happoshu is taxed less than beer, making it more appealing to consumers.

New Genre/Third Beer

This style of beer is also known as "third-category beer" or "new genre". It is made without any malt, using alternatives such as pea, soy, and wheat instead. This results in a very light beer with less alcohol and flavour.

Craft Beer

Japanese craft beer varies from city to city and is influenced by international styles. It ranges from fruity and dark beers to hoppy and aromatic ones. Osaka, for example, is known for its craft beer scene, with many izakayas serving local foods that pair well with beer.

Rice Lager

While most Japanese beers are not made with rice, some breweries like Asahi, Kirin, and Sapporo create rice lagers. These beers are light, dry, and crisp, similar to Budweiser and Coors. The rice gives the beer a less flavourful taste.

Popular Japanese Beer Styles

The most popular styles of Japanese beer are ale, pilsner, and lager. Within these styles, there are different approaches, flavour profiles, and alcohol levels. Japanese beers are known for their light body and crisp finish, making them food-friendly and easy to drink.

Japanese beer in Cleveland liquor stores

Japanese beer is available in Cleveland at large alcohol outlets and Asian grocery stores. While some Japanese beers are rice lagers, most are not made with rice but with grains like hops, malt, barley, corn, oats, and wheat.

Some popular Japanese beer brands include Sapporo, Asahi, Kirin, Suntory, and Orion. These can be purchased online at Amazon.com and Total Wine & More.

Sapporo Premium is the first Japanese beer that most Americans have tried. It is commonly referred to as a rice lager, but it also contains corn and starch. Asahi Super Dry is the main competitor to Sapporo Premium. It is a little drier, but otherwise remarkably similar. Kirin Ichiban is a step up in intensity and flavor from the first two beers. It is brewed only with malted barley and has a light toasty quality, with mild bitterness, and a soft texture.

Frequently asked questions