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Kirin Ichiban Toshitsu Zero

Kirin Brewery
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🌍 Japan · Pale Lager · One of 101 Pale Lagers in hopIQ

Kirin Ichiban Toshitsu Zero came out in 2020 as a full-strength beer in which the carbohydrates are broken down so far that practically no residual sugar remains. The 2025 revision added a double decoction, boiling part of the mash twice, and brought a further hop variety into the blend. The beer is very dry and slim. Grainy malt and a faint bread-crust note carry the palate, lifted by a more floral hop aroma than in the standard Ichiban, and the finish is crisp and short with almost no sweetness.

ABV
5%
Bitterness
Lightly bitter
Malt-forward bitterness
SRM
pale gold4
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
Lean body.
lightfull-bodied
Sweetness
Dry finish.
drysweet
Bitterness
Soft bitterness.
mildbitter
Texture
Crisp mouthfeel.
crispcreamy

A sharp texture drives the beer — a clean, direct pour with room for the palate to fill in.

Character· What makes this beer itself — not just another Pale Lager.
Hop character
floral
hoppy
Malt character
malty
bready
Fermentation & yeast
clean

Tasting Notes

AI-generated sensory profile for Kirin Ichiban Toshitsu Zero

◎ Appearance

Pale golden color with excellent clarity and bright transparency. The head forms quickly but settles to a thin, delicate collar with modest lacing. Carbonation is fine and persistent, creating a gentle effervescence throughout.

pale goldencrystal clearfine carbonationthin head

◌ Aroma

The nose leads with a refined floral hop character, notably more pronounced than the standard Ichiban, supported by clean grainy malt and a subtle bread-crust note. The overall impression is understated and elegant, with no alcohol vapors or off-notes intruding on the delicate balance.

floral hopsgrainy maltbread-crust noteclean

◐ Taste

Bone-dry on entry, the palate develops a lean, malt-forward body built on the foundation of the double decoction process. Grainy character and faint bready notes provide subtle depth, while the floral hop blend introduces a gentle bitterness that complements rather than dominates. The beer remains refreshingly light throughout, with virtually no residual sweetness.

very drygrainyfloral bitternesslean body

◑ Finish

Short and crisp, with a clean drying effect that leaves the palate refreshed. The aftertaste fades quickly to near-silence, leaving only a lingering suggestion of grain and hops.

crisp finishdry aftertasteshort
78
hopIQ score
Aroma
79
Taste
77
Appearance
80
Finish
77
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Serve & Enjoy

How to get the most out of Kirin Ichiban Toshitsu Zero

Serve at 4–7°C
Refrigerate, then rest 2 min

Serve well-chilled at 4–6°C. Carbonation and crispness are the main event — cold preserves both.

Stein
Recommended for this style

The sturdy German stein maintains temperature and keeps carbonation intact. Built for long, convivial drinking.

Store cold and drink fresh. Lagers are at their crispest within 3–4 months.

Food Pairing

What to eat with Kirin Ichiban Toshitsu Zero

About Pale Lager

Style guide · what to expect · how to find alternatives

What is a Pale Lager?

Euro Pale Lagers are clean, refreshing lagers with 4–5.5% ABV and IBU 10–25. Soft malt sweetness, light hop bitterness and high carbonation make them supremely drinkable.

Finding a similar Pale Lager

hopIQ matches by flavor profile — not just style label. A beer with the same dry, crisp, floral character as Kirin Ichiban Toshitsu Zero will score highly even if brewed in a different country or under a different sub-style name.

Other Pale Lagers in hopIQ

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