Limited Kirin Beer 2025 – Fresh Hop Aroma from Ichiban Shibori

Kirin’s “Ichiban Shibori Toretate Hop 2025” is back again this year—and it’s something truly special! Let’s dive into this limited-edition brew and discover what makes it so unique.

Kirin Ichiban Shibori

First, Kirin Ichiban Shibori is one of the most popular beers in Japan, known for its unique brewing method. In Japanese, “Ichiban” means “the first” or “the best,” and “Shibori” means “press” or “squeeze.” What makes this beer special is that Kirin uses only the first press of the wort during the filtration process—no second press is used. That’s why Kirin Ichiban Shibori has such a clean, crisp, and refreshing taste.

Ichiban Shibori Toretate Hop 2025

Normally, hops are dried after harvesting before being used in brewing. But Ichiban Shibori Toretate Hop 2025 is brewed with fresh hops—harvested in the summer, still full of moisture, and then flash-frozen to lock in their vibrant character. This fresh-frozen hop brings a floral aroma and layers of green, fruity freshness that you won’t find in ordinary beers. And of course, just like the original Ichiban Shibori, it’s brewed using only the first press of the wort, ensuring a clean and refined taste.

The moment you take your first sip, you might be surprised by the aroma—it’s incredibly refreshing and fruity. It’s not a flavored beer—it’s a real beer, but with a remarkably floral character that feels almost aromatic. You don’t even need a pairing meal—Ichiban Shibori Toretate Hop stands perfectly on its own. It’s truly delicious. I was honestly amazed!

This is a limited-edition beer, available only in this season. So if you’re visiting Japan in November, don’t miss it—it’s a seasonal treat that comes around just once a year!

一番搾り とれたてホップ生ビール｜一番搾り｜キリン

Summary

I never knew that fresh-frozen hops could create such an aromatic and delicious beer. It was my first time feeling that a beer could be perfect on its own—no meal pairing needed. For me, it felt almost like enjoying a fine wine.

And the best part? This beer is available at convenience stores across Japan, so it’s super easy to find if you’re here right now!