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Kirin Good Ale

Kirin Brewery
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🌍 Japan · Pale Ale · One of 177 Pale Ales in hopIQ

Kirin Good Ale (グッドエール) arrived on 7 October 2025 and, unlike the bottom-fermented lagers usual in Japan, is fermented with a top-fermenting ale yeast. It is made from malt only and hopped with three aroma varieties plus pellets of concentrated lupulin, which steep in the beer during fermentation and are then filtered out. The aroma is bright and fruity, with a soft citrus note reminiscent of mandarin and floral hints from the yeast over a malty base. Bitterness stays low, and the finish is light and clean.

ABV
5%
Bitterness
Noticeably bitter
Citrus hop bitterness
SRM
golden8
See all Pale Ale alternatives →

AWARDS

Silver · 2026
World Beer Awards
Silver — World Beer Awards
How it drinks· Its pace, balance and relationship to the style.
Pace
sessionsipper
Balance
malt-ledhop-led
Where this beer sits· Four axes, the same for every beer in hopIQ.
Body
Medium body.
lightfull-bodied
Sweetness
Dry finish.
drysweet
Bitterness
Moderate bitterness.
mildbitter
Texture
Crisp mouthfeel.
crispcreamy

Balanced backbone, with every axis close to the middle.

Nothing dominates, and that is the craft — each element gets room to be tasted.

Character· What makes this beer itself — not just another Pale Ale.
Hop character
citrusy
floral
hoppy
Fermentation & yeast
clean
fruity
yeasty
Malt character
malty

Tasting Notes

AI-generated sensory profile for Kirin Good Ale

Appearance

Pale gold in color with bright clarity and a fine, persistent white head that clings to the glass with delicate lacing. The beer presents a clean, inviting visual profile typical of a well-crafted ale, with good carbonation evident in the steady stream of tiny bubbles rising through the body.

pale goldbright clarityfine head retentionwell-carbonated

Aroma

The nose opens with bright fruity esters balanced against a soft, grainy malty foundation. Citrus notes—particularly mandarin—emerge alongside subtle floral character derived from the ale yeast, while the concentrated lupulin pellets contribute a gentle herbal dimension without aggressive resinousness. The overall profile remains approachable and aromatic rather than intensely hoppy.

bright citrussoft floralfruity estersgrainy malt

Taste

Entry is clean and slightly sweet, with the malty base providing body and a pleasant grain character. Mid-palate develops the citrus and subtle herbal notes detected on the nose, while bitterness remains restrained—present but never dominating. The beer maintains excellent balance throughout, allowing the ale yeast's fruity character and the malt's gentle sweetness to coexist without tension.

clean palaterestrained bitternessbalanced malt sweetnesscitrus notes

Finish

The finish is short and crisp, leaving behind a light, refreshing aftertaste with lingering hints of citrus and a dry, clean sensation. No harsh bitterness or heavy residue; the beer concludes with elegance and clarity.

clean finishcrisp dryinglight aftertaste
78
hopIQ score
Aroma
80
Taste
78
Appearance
80
Finish
75
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Serve & Enjoy

How to get the most out of Kirin Good Ale

Serve at 7–10°C
Refrigerate, then rest 2 min

Cold enough to sharpen the hop aroma without numbing the palate. Around 7–9°C keeps the citrus and pine vivid without losing bitterness definition.

Pint glass
Recommended for this style

The classic — versatile, comfortable to hold and keeps the beer cool. No frills, no distractions: just the beer.

Drink fresh — hop aroma fades fast. Best within 3 months of canning or bottling.

Food Pairing

What to eat with Kirin Good Ale

About Pale Ale

Style guide · what to expect · how to find alternatives

What is a Pale Ale?

India Pale Ales are hop-forward ales with ABV typically 5.5–7.5% and IBU 40–70+. Bold citrus, pine or tropical aromas alongside firm bitterness and a clean dry finish.

Finding a similar Pale Ale

hopIQ matches by flavor profile — not just style label. A beer with the same clean, fruity, citrusy character as Kirin Good Ale will score highly even if brewed in a different country or under a different sub-style name.

Other Pale Ales in hopIQ

Compare with another beer →Explore all Pale Ale beers in hopIQ →Browse Japan beers →