I am unsure as to what the difference between a Kirin and a Kirin Ichiban is, but this one comes in a stomping big bottle with a half dragon half horse looking beast proudly brandishing a giant flowing beard. It could very well be an album cover of a Japanese death metal band.
It seems to resemble a normal Kirin in execution to be honest. Very, clean and crisp, and highly refreshing. Predominant flavours of corn and rice and a slightly hopped finish. Beer geeks might shirk at it because it doesn't hit you like someone mashing the punch button with E.Honda, but it doesn't need to. Kirin make palette cleansing beers that are fantastic to drink with asian food of all varieties. You don't exactly want a Chocolate Porter with your Szechuan Beef or Pork Gyoza.
Mano a mano against IPAs and Trappist beers, no it isn't going to stand up. But in terms of bettering it's peers in a
niche of the mainstream market, you can't fault it. Given the evolution of my tastes throughout this challenge Kirin no longer impresses me like it used to, but it's still a very reliable beer that you can find at most bottle shops. So if you're ducking into a BYO restaurant, and they don't have that obscure brown ale you like, always keep Kirin in mind.
6.5/10
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