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Kirin Ichiban White Beer

Kirin Brewery
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🌍 Japan · American Wheat Ale · One of 35 American Wheat Ales in hopIQ

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%
Bitterness
Lightly bitter
Citrus hop bitterness
SRM
golden5
How it drinks· Its pace, balance and relationship to the style.
Pace
sessionsipper
Balance
malt-ledhop-led
Style expression
textbookdistinctive
Where this beer sits· Four axes, the same for every beer in hopIQ.
Body
Medium body.
lightfull-bodied
Sweetness
Off-dry finish.
drysweet
Bitterness
Soft bitterness.
mildbitter
Texture
Very crisp mouthfeel.
crispcreamy

The texture leads here, with everything else held in gentle reserve.

Character· What makes this beer itself — not just another American Wheat Ale.
Malt character
wheat
bready
Fermentation & yeast
clean
fruity
Distinctive notes
hazy
citrusy

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
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Serve & Enjoy

How to get the most out of Kirin Ichiban White Beer

Serve at 5–8°C
Refrigerate, then rest 2 min

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

Pint glass
Recommended for this style

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

Store in a cool, dark place. Check the best-before date on the label for guidance.

Food Pairing

What to eat with Kirin Ichiban White Beer

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.

Other American Wheat Ales in hopIQ

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