The best gluten-free Japanese beers
Navigating Japan’s unique beer landscape for the gluten-sensitive drinker.
Introduction
A glass of very cold beer with white, creamy and bubbly foam can transport us to happy moments from our past, such as when we got a promotion at work we wanted or attended a celebration that we really enjoyed. But what happens when we can’t drink the classic beers because we follow a gluten-free diet. Today, we can find beers of different flavors, textures, and colors brewed all over the world at our fingertips. Here we are going to present you a selection of gluten-free Japanese beers, delicious, healthy and accessible on the market.
Drinking beer is an ancient tradition, the oldest record of beer production dates back to the 4th millennium BC. The construction or composition may have changed over the years, but we still prefer it for relaxing and socializing.
Japanese gluten-free beers have the particularity of being made from rice, malted barley or soy protein, and are distinguished by their premium flavor and quality.
Important Note
Before diving deep into the list, it’s crucial to understand the risk of cross-contamination. Due to shared manufacturing lines with regular beers, it’s always best to verify with establishments about their preparation practices to ensure a truly gluten-free experience.
Japanese Beer Gluten Free: our recommendations
Beer, as we know it in the West, was introduced to Japan in the 17th century by the Netherlands. It is known as biiru, an adaptation of the Dutch expression bier.
Today, Japan ranks 12th in global beer production and has four major beer manufacturers: Sapporo Beer, Kirin Beer, Asahi Beer and Suntory.
Among the most produced styles of beer in Japan are lager and Pilsen with an alcohol content of around 5%. In its preparation, the use of barley is often discarded and rice is preferred, which makes the preparation and fermentation different from that of the rest of the world.
If drunk in moderation, it softens the temperament, brightens the spirit and promotes health. Thomas Jefferson (3rd President of the USA)
Sapporo Black Label
Made by the Sapporo Beer company founded in 1876 and considered the oldest in Japan. Sapporo Beer offers a gluten-free version of its classic beer: Sapporo Black Label. Among its ingredients are malted rice, toasted malt and hops that give it its characteristic sweet and refreshing flavor.
Sapporo beer is the most popular and best-selling among Asian beer brands in the US. It has a headquarters in Wisconsin, Sapporo USA Inc. founded in 1984.
Kirin Heartland
Manufactured by Kirin Beer and currently belonging to the Mitsubishi business group. This beer is named after a Chinese mythological being that is considered good luck in Eastern culture.
Kirin Heartland is made in the European Lager style and has a pleasant, sweet and fruity aroma.
Asahi Dry Zero
Produced by Asahi Beer, a company whose origin is full of theories and mysteries, some say that the name Asahi may come from the river of the same name or the bridge that crosses it.
This gluten-free beer preserves the freshness and flavor of its most classic beer, but without alcohol and low in calories. It is considered one of the most important in Japan.
Nadogoshi Nama
Also manufactured by the Kirin Beer company, this beer uses soy or pea among its ingredients, and is very popular for its smooth and complex flavor.
Brewed in the Happoshu style, literally “foaming alcohol”, Nadogoshi Nama is a beer that contains 67% less malt.
Sokai Zero
Produced by Sapporo Breweries Ltd., this beer is brewed in the Happosu style and is low in calories.
Sokai Zero has a caramelized, sweet and light aroma. It is composed of rice and pea proteins, instead of barley.
Types of gluten-free beers
Gluten-free beers can be divided into two main types:
- Beers made with gluten-free ingredients: These beers are made with ingredients that do not contain gluten, such as rice, corn, sorghum or buckwheat.
- Beers filtered to remove gluten: These beers are made with ingredients that contain gluten, but are filtered to remove gluten.
Gluten-free Japanese beer brands
In Japan, there are a number of gluten-free beer brands available. Some of the most popular are:
Gluten-Free Asahi Beer – This beer is a light, refreshing lager brewed with rice and corn.
Kirin Free – This beer is a European-style beer brewed with gluten-free rice, corn, and barley.
Gluten-Free Sapporo – This beer is a Japanese-style beer brewed with rice and corn.
Prices
Prices below may vary by retailer and specific beer.
| Brand | Style | ABV | Price per 12-Pack (USD) |
| Asahi Gluten-Free Beer | Lager | 5% | $14.99 |
| Kirin Free | Lager | 5% | $15.99 |
| Sapporo Gluten-Free Beer | Lager | 5% | $15.99 |
| Suntory The Premium Malt’s Gluten-Free | Lager | 5% | $16.99 |
| Echigo Koshihikari Ale | Pale Ale | 5.5% | $19.99 |
| Baird Beer Free Style | Lager | 5% | $22.99 |
| Yoho Brewing Gluten-Free Belgian White | Belgian White | 5% | $24.99 |
| Hitachino Nest Beer Gluten-Free Beer | Lager | 5% | $26.99 |
Notes:
All of these beers are certified gluten-free by the Gluten-Free Certification Organization (GFCO).
ABV (alcohol by volume) is the percentage of alcohol that beer contains.
The 12-pack price is for a case of 12 12-ounce cans or bottles.
How much alcohol do Japanese gluten-free beers have?
The volume of alcohol is measured by ABV (Alcohol By Volume). ABV is a global standard measure of how much ethanol an alcoholic beverage contains and is expressed as a percentage.
Japanese gluten-free beers have an alcohol volume of between 4% and 5.5%, but there are also others that contain 0% alcohol.
In the following table we present different types of gluten-free Japanese beers and their alcohol percentage. Additionally, we have included the company they come from.
| Japanese Beer Gluten-Free | Company | ABV |
| Sapporo Black Label | Sapporo Beer | 5% |
| Kirin Hearland | Kirin Beer | 5.50% |
| Asahi Dry Zero | Asahi Beer | 0% |
| Nadogoshi Nama | Kirin Beer | 5% |
| Sokai Zero | Sapporo Breweries Ltd | 4% |
| Jokki Nama | Suntory | 5% |
| Draft One | Sapporo Breweries Limited | 5% |
| Mandarin Rice Lager | Two Bays Brewing Company | 4,4% |
Additional Information
In addition to the beers mentioned above, there are other gluten-free Japanese beers available in the United States. These include:
- Gluten-free Otokoyama beer
- Gluten-free Yebisu beer
- Suntory The Premium Malt’s Extra Stout gluten-free
- Echigo Koshihikari Ale & Lager
- Freestyle Baird Beer and Free Wheat
- Gluten-Free Yoho Brewing IPA and Pilsner
- Hitachino Nest Stout & Ale Gluten-Free Beer
With the growing popularity of gluten-free beer, it is likely that even more gluten-free Japanese beers will be available in the United States in the future.
Where to buy gluten-free Japanese beers?
Today, the popularity of beer is so great that there are specialized beer stores that offer gluten-free Japanese beers. The good thing about these stores is that they have experts who can provide advice and detailed information about the preparation and components of each drink. Additionally, in most of these establishments there is a library of specialized books that provide a complete immersion in the world of beer.
Another option is supermarkets, large stores that offer beers from all over the world at your fingertips, including gluten-free Japanese beers.
Convenience stores also usually have the best-selling beers on the market in stock and, most importantly, they have extended hours and we find them very close by.
There are also online stores where you can order gluten-free Japanese beers and have the order delivered to your door. The practicality and the possibility of knowing the comments of other users is a plus in this way of buying.
How to drink gluten-free Japanese beers?
There are different ways to drink a gluten-free Japanese beer. Some options are to drink it very cold, with or without added ice, combined with snacks or different foods from Japanese cuisine or enjoy it with Western foods.
It is recommended to drink beer in moderation alone or in groups of friends, at parties, events and family or work festivities.
Beer curiosities
Below, we present some curiosities about beer:
- In ancient times, many salaries were received with beer
- In the past, countries that brewed beer did not have the obligation to participate directly in war, but they did have to ensure supplies for the army.
- Fermented drinks, such as beer, consumed in moderation, are part of a healthy diet due to the content of proteins, vitamins, fibers, nutrients and carbohydrates.
- The first Japanese to brew beer was Yukitami Kawamoto, known as the father of Japanese chemistry, around 1853.
- Sake, a traditional Japanese drink, could be considered a rice beer or beer could be classified as sake, but there are several differences between the two.
Conclusions
Gluten-free Japanese beers are an excellent option to enjoy a beer without breaking the gluten-free diet, and most importantly without losing the flavor and quality of a good beer.
Gluten-free Japanese beers are a safe and reliable option, and they have a variety of tastes and flavors to delight the most demanding palate. So, as the Japanese say when toasting: kanpai! (Cheers!)
