Kirin Brewery Begins Local Production of KIRIN ICHIBAN in South Korea. Strengthening Local Supply to Deliver High-Quality KIRIN ICHIBAN to Korean Consumers

TOKYO, October 13, 2026 - Kirin Brewery Company, Limited (Kirin Brewery) has commenced production of KIRIN ICHIBAN at the Jeonju Brewery of HiteJinro Co., Ltd. (HiteJinro) in South Korea. Beginning in early October, KIRIN ICHIBAN sold in South Korea will be gradually transitioned to products brewed locally in South Korea.

In South Korea, Japanese beer is highly regarded for its quality. In recent years, this reputation has grown even stronger against the backdrop of an increase in the number of visitors from South Korea to Japan since the COVID-19 pandemic. Amid growing interest in Japanese beer and the launch of a variety of products, sales of Japanese beer in the South Korean market have continued to expand.

Kirin Brewery began its partnership with HiteJinro in 2004 and has since exported and sold KIRIN ICHIBAN in South Korea. The brand's distinctive taste, created using Kirin's unique First Press Brewing Method*1, which uses only the first wort extracted during the brewing process, has been well received by consumers. As a result, KIRIN ICHIBAN achieved its highest-ever sales volume in 2025.
*1 A proprietary brewing method that uses only the first-press wort, the very first wort extracted during the filtration process.

With the start of local production, Kirin Brewery will ensure a stable supply of KIRIN ICHIBAN while shortening transportation lead times and delivering an even higher-quality product to consumers in South Korea. By further enhancing the value of KIRIN ICHIBAN, Kirin Brewery aims to make it an even more beloved brand among consumers in South Korea.

Furthermore, by expanding its more than 20-year sale-centered partnership with HiteJinro to encompass manufacturing, technology, and quality management, Kirin Brewery will continue to collaborate with HiteJinro to create new value through alcoholic beverages and contribute to the revitalization of South Korea's alcoholic beverage market.

Through the production and sale of KIRIN ICHIBAN in South Korea, Kirin Brewery will continue to share the appeal of great-tasting beer through KIRIN ICHIBAN as a global brand and contribute to a bright future for the beer market.

The Kirin Group is committed to creating products that respect both nature and people, while bringing new joy through food and health and contributing to the realization of a more fulfilling society.

Product Details

1．Product Name	KIRIN ICHIBAN
2．Launch Date	Nationwide rollout beginning in early October 2026
3．Sales Markets	South Korea
4．Package Size/Container	350ml Can, 490ml Can, 500ml Can
5．Alcohol Content (ABV)	5%
6．Pure Alcohol Content	350ml Can:14g, 490ml Can:19.6g, 500ml Can:20g
7．Production Brewery	HiteJinro Jeonju Brewery, South Korea

About Kirin Holdings

Kirin Holdings Company, Limited is a global company operating across three core business domains spanning Alcoholic Beverages, Non-alcoholic Beverages & Health Science, and Pharmaceuticals. The company traces its roots to Japan Brewery, established in 1885, which later became Kirin Brewery in 1907. Since then, Kirin has expanded its business operations by leveraging fermentation and biotechnology as core strengths. The company entered the pharmaceutical field in the 1980s, which has since grown into a global business. In 2007, the company transitioned to a pure holding company structure as Kirin Holdings, and it is now strengthening its Non-alcoholic Beverages & Health Science domain.

Under its long-term vision “Innovate2035!”, the Kirin Group is focused on creating value that encourage behavioral change among consumers and patients, creating new lifestyle habits in the areas of food and health. With a unique business portfolio spanning Alcoholic Beverages, Non-alcoholic Beverages & Health Science, and Pharmaceuticals, the Group will further expand group-wide initiatives that support both mental and physical well-being. The Kirin Group will continue to advance innovation through the combined strength of its people and technology, creating both social and economic value as a global leader in CSV*, while pursuing sustainable, long-term growth in corporate value.
*Creating Shared Value: combined added value for consumers as well as for society at large.

GALLERY