Beer in Japan

Japan brews with precision. Four giants — Asahi, Kirin, Sapporo, Suntory — perfected the crisp rice lager and the theater of the perfectly poured mug, while a craft movement born of 1994’s brewing deregulation (ji-biru) has matured into one of Asia’s most refined beer scenes. Everyday quality is the marvel: even convenience-store beer is treated with care.