Pretty good ale

Good Ale

Brand: Kirin

Price: 200 yen

Place of purchase: Belx Supermarket

Rating:

In the beer aisle of your local supermarket, you might have noticed a bright orange label. In October 2025, Kirin Breweries launched Good Ale. This beer is the third "pillar" in Kirin's beer lineup. You'll see it next to Ichiban Shibori and Harekaze. The beer pours clear and golden, and resembles an IPA. It's light, citrusy, even juicy. It's got somewhat pronounced hop and malt flavours, and a polite bitter finish. It's a reasonably-priced alternative to pricier "puremoru", or premium malt beers.

Kirin Breweries' new player Good Ale, is a reasonably-priced beer. For Japanese beer fans, I imagine that there will be mixed reviews. The beer, top fermented with "cryohops" and three varieties of aroma hops, has a pleasant, fruity aroma. You get mango and pineapple scents. The flavour holds up, too, with a good malty middle and lightly bitter finish. This one isn't that exciting but it is a nice sip. It's positioned as an economical alternative to more expensive "puremoru", premium malt beers. I'd say it gives the more expensive ones a run for their money.