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Kirin Ichiban White Beer

Japan·American Wheat Ale
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Kirin Ichiban White Beer joined the range in April 2025. Part of the grist is wheat malt, the beer is made from first-run wort only and left unfiltered, which gives it a pale, lightly hazy look. The aroma is gentle: soft grain and a sweet wheat note, with a hint of lemon and very little hop character. On the palate it is rounder and softer than the standard Ichiban, a faint lemony freshness and mild acidity set accents, bitterness stays very low, and the finish is clean and light.

ABV
5.0%
Bitterness
Lightly bitter
Citrus hop bitterness
SRM
golden5
PaceA Few
Where this beer sits
Body
lightfull-bodied
Sweetness
drysweet
Bitterness
mildbitter
Texture
crispcreamy
What makes this beer itself
MaltHop
wheatcleancitrusy
wheat
clean
citrusy
bready
fruity
Aroma
The nose is restrained and elegant, dominated by soft grain character and a pronounced wheat sweetness.
not found:hoppy,caramel,sour,smoky

Tasting Notes

AI-generated sensory profile for Kirin Ichiban White Beer

◎ Appearance

Pale golden hue with a distinctly lightly hazy appearance, characteristic of an unfiltered wheat ale. The cloudiness stems from suspended yeast and wheat proteins, creating a soft, diffuse light transmission rather than full opacity. A modest white head forms and dissipates gently, leaving delicate traces of lacing on the glass.

pale goldenlightly hazysoft white headfine lacing

◌ Aroma

The nose is restrained and elegant, dominated by soft grain character and a pronounced wheat sweetness. A subtle lemon note emerges from the middle, adding brightness without assertiveness, while hop aromatics remain deliberately minimal, allowing the malt foundation to take center stage.

soft grainwheat sweetnessdelicate lemonminimal hop character

◐ Taste

The palate presents a noticeably rounder, softer mouthfeel compared to the standard Ichiban expression. Faint citrus freshness and gentle acidity provide subtle counterpoint, while bitterness remains restrained and unobtrusive. Mild bready notes underscore the wheat bill, with the finish resolving clean and light without residual harshness.

smooth palatewheat-forwardcitrus freshnesslow bitterness

◑ Finish

The finish is clean and brief, with no lingering astringency or hop bite. A subtle wheat sweetness and faint lemon note fade quickly, leaving the palate refreshed and ready for the next sip.

cleanlight finishrefreshing
78
hopIQ score
Aroma
78
Taste
80
Appearance
78
Finish
76
Serve at 5–8°C

Serve at 5–8°C for the best flavour balance and aroma expression.

Pint glass

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

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Food Pairing

What to eat with Kirin Ichiban White Beer

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About American Wheat Ale

Style guide · what to expect · how to find alternatives

What is a American Wheat Ale?

American Wheat Ale is a distinctive beer style with its own characteristic flavour, aroma and colour. Discover what makes it unique and find similar beers on hopIQ.

Finding a similar American Wheat Ale

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

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