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Kirin Ichiban

Japanese premium lager sold in US sushi bars and supermarkets on its Japanese origin.

Status: Watchlist
Founded
1907
Website
kirinholdings.com
HQ
Japan
Manufacturing
USA
Ownership type
Public
Parent
Kirin Holdings
Status since
2026-10-30

Ownership

Kirin owns the brand; Anheuser-Busch brews the US supply under license in Los Angeles and Williamsburg, Virginia.

Why Watchlist

Kirin Ichiban was sold in the US with Japanese imagery and described as imported while Anheuser-Busch brewed it in California and Virginia. A 2015 class settlement gave refunds, a more prominent brewing disclosure and an end to "imported" descriptions.

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