9 Best Tried and True Japanese Wheat Beers in 2022 (Minoh Beer, Kiuchi Brewery, and More)

Gran Kirin White Ale was created based on a concept of beauty and drinkability. It's meant to appeal to all drinkers, whether they are beer connoisseurs or novices. Kirin was also concerned with crafting a brew that can be enjoyed every day, but still tastes like something special.

Our tasters describe it as having a fruity aroma similar to chardonnay, and a luxurious taste like champagne. The flavors come from Nelson Sauvin Hops from New Zealand, which are reminiscent of white grapes and white wine. Even our tasters who said they weren't used to beer thoroughly enjoyed this one.

This is available at convenience stores and supermarkets in Japan, so give this a try next time! We recommend it without hesitation!

Hitachino Nest Beer produces this White Ale, which is spicy and fruity with a pleasant aroma of coriander, nutmeg and orange peel. One of our beer-loving editorial staff commented that it is "very easy to drink due to its subtle sweetness," and we recommend it to beer lovers who can appreciate complex flavors. 

This white ale doesn't feature much in the way of sharpness, body, or bitterness, but the taste and smell of spices will have you coming back for more. It's a great beer for craft beer enthusiasts and newcomers alike!

This wheat beer is made with water from an underground spring at an altitude of almost 1,000 feet in Oyama in Tottori prefecture. Winner of a Gold Medal at the World Beer Awards, it's well-balanced and easy to drink. 

The fragrance is lightly yeasty, and when poured, a soft and creamy head forms. The mouthfeel is similar to champagne. It may not be the most complex brew, but is a delicious choice nonetheless.

Many people were surprised to learn that White Belg is a happoshu, which means it contains almost no barley malt and a large amount of alcoholic spirits. The taste is just like a Belgian white beer.

The fruity, refreshing sweetness drawn from coriander and orange peel is well-balanced with the aroma of hops. It goes well with cold, refreshing dishes. We recommend this for those who want to try white beer without any bitterness from barley and hops.

Okinawan beers have a reputation for being light, and this one is no exception. It goes down so easily, we could imagine guzzling quite a few without knowing! 

The taste is smooth, and the aroma is of white wine and fruity yeast. If you're not a fan of pilsners but want something light, you'll probably enjoy this one.

Minoh Beer is a major brewery in Japan. Their Weizen is a beer which is subtle and elegant in its aroma and taste.

This beer will go down easily, and the rich wheat malt flavor lingers gently on your tongue. It is characterized by the sweetness of its wheat malt and yeast flavor. 

Ginga Kogen Beer's hefeweizen is made in a brewery in Iwate Prefecture using traditional southern German methods. It sure tastes like a German Weizen beer, with a strong wheat flavor like biting into a loaf of yeasty bread.

It has only moderate bitterness and is easy to drink, so it is recommended even for those who are infrequent beer drinkers. Note that the label changed in 2020, so some of our photos look different.

Suiyobi No Neko (or Wednesday's Cat) is a beer made by Yaho Brewing and bottled in Nagano prefecture. It has a rich wheat flavor with a subtle sweetness akin to rice or bread. 

The flavor is fairly strong, with a noticeable sharpness. Compared to other Belgian white beers, its distinct flavor might make it slightly harder to drink. 

Tokyo Blues Single Hop Wheat is made with Nelson Sauvin hops, which is a kind of hops from New Zealand that have very similar tastes and aromas to white wine and white grapes. 

This beer has that elegant, fruity aroma typical of Nelson Sauvin hops. But when you taste it, a sourness hits you first and a bitterness follows and lingers, possibly making it an acquired taste.