The Australasian brewer Lion Nathan is to begin manufacturing and distributing Kirin Ichiban, the Japanese beer produced by Kirin, in Australia. Kirin holds a 46% stake in Lion Nathan.


The beer will be brewed and bottled at the Malt Shovel Brewery, Sydney, and will be available on the Australasian market on 1stMay 2003.


“People’s interest in Japanese food has been increasing due to an increasing consciousness about health. Kirin is now able to provide a fresh premium beer brewed locally,” a press release from the company said.


It continued: “While total beer consumption is at a plateau in Australia and New Zealand, the premium beer category including imported brands has been growing steadily. Kirin will aim to expand the domain of their global beer business by launching this unique product mainly at the high-end market in metropolitan areas in Australia and New Zealand.”


The company said that this was part of a strategy to develop a global network with Asia- Oceania asits core market.

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In January 2003, Kirin and Lion Nathan China jointly launched “Kirin Seijun Beer” in Shanghai. Kirin has also started selling Lion Nathan Group’s wine in Japan.

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