Tasted on a Trip to Japan, 'Kirin Ichiban' to Be Made in Korea ... Asia's First Licensed Production

HiteJinro's Jeonju Plant to Produce Kirin Ichiban Shibori
Replicates Production Process Used in Japan
CEO Jang Inseop: "We'll Offer It with Even Fresher Quality"

"We have faithfully recreated in Korea the taste of Kirin Ichiban Shibori as enjoyed in Japan."

Jang Inseop, CEO of HiteJinro, made the remark at a press conference marking the start of production in Korea by HiteJinro and Kirin, held on October 8 at HiteJinro's R&D Center in Yongin, Gyeonggi Province.

HiteJinro CEO Jang Inseop delivers opening remarks at a press conference held at the company’s research institute in Yongin, Gyeonggi Province. Photo provided by HiteJinro.

"We have become the first in Asia to begin licensed production of Kirin Ichiban Shibori in Korea," Jang said. "Please look forward to Kirin beer, which will be offered with even fresher quality."

He added, "We have applied the brewing method and ingredient processes for Kirin Ichiban Shibori as they are to our Jeonju Plant. We expect this technical agreement to lead to a more advanced strategic partnership between the two companies, rather than simply transferring production to our facility."

HiteJinro signed an MOU with Japan's Kirin in July to establish a technical partnership, and will produce canned Kirin Ichiban Shibori at its Jeonju Plant. This marks the first time in Asia that Kirin Ichiban Shibori, first introduced to Korea in 2004 through HiteJinro, will be produced by an importer and distributor with no capital relationship with the brand. Kirin Ichiban Shibori produced in Korea has been shipping from the plant since early October.

According to HiteJinro, the imported beer market has been on a sustained downward trend, shrinking by an average of 3% annually over the past five years. By contrast, the Japanese imported beer market grew by an average of 72% annually over the same period, and Japanese beer has effectively driven the entire imported beer market since 2023. Kirin Ichiban Shibori has also recorded average annual growth of more than 14%. By SKU (stock keeping unit), sales have increased since 2020 by 97% for cans, 41% for bottles and 64% for draft beer. Last year, it also achieved its highest sales volume on record.

Ichiban Shibori means "first wort" in Japanese. The beer is made using only the first wort extracted from malt, a method that gives it the rich, distinctive taste of barley and a clean finish. Beer is generally made using a blend of the first and second worts extracted.

HiteJinro officials pose for a commemorative photo at a press briefing held at the company’s research center in Yongin, Gyeonggi Province. From left: Kim Dongwoo, head of HiteJinro’s Jeonju Plant; CEO Jang Inseop; research center head Jeon Jangwoo; and premium region head Kwon Gwangjo. Photo courtesy of HiteJinro.

Kirin Ichiban Shibori produced in Korea uses the same core brewing method as in Japan and is made with Kirin's own yeast to deliver its distinctive taste and quality. Japanese technical staff took part from the initial design stage, which took more than a year, and the local production process was applied as is to the production line at the Jeonju Plant. Production follows Kirin's quantified standards, covering brewing temperature, time, ratios and final product quality, as well as raw materials such as yeast. To achieve this, HiteJinro replicated the same brewing method and obtained production approval through an evaluation system that required it to pass Kirin's standards at least three times.

Kwon Gwangjo, HiteJinro's premium region head, explained, "We receive Kirin's yeast directly and cultivate it in Korea. We have replicated the Ichiban Shibori brewing method on the production line at our Jeonju Plant, and over the past year, we sent Ichiban Shibori produced in Korea to Japan, where it passed strict standards."

The initial production target in Korea is approximately 1.5 million liters (3 million 500-milliliter cans). By next year, the company plans to produce an amount equivalent to 75% of total domestic sales of Kirin Ichiban Shibori. It also plans to repeatedly verify that the beer meets the same standards for taste and aroma as the product made in Japan, thereby ensuring equivalent quality, and to maintain quality on an ongoing basis through regular exchanges between the two companies' technical teams after production begins.

The company says that domestic production of Kirin Ichiban Shibori will allow consumers to enjoy the same taste and quality as the product in Japan, with greater freshness. Products typically take about a month and a half to reach the Korean market after being made in Japan and clearing customs. Production in Korea can shorten this to one or two weeks, while reducing the risks posed by external factors that affect imports and enabling a more stable supply.

Jang said, "I believe domestic production of Kirin Ichiban Shibori, HiteJinro's flagship imported beer brand, marks the moment when a successful business model, built over the past 20 years on mutual trust with Kirin, comes to fruition."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.