The Japan Brewery Company, the forerunner of Kirin, was founded over a hundred years ago in 1885. Just three years later, in 1888, the brewing of Kirin beer began.
The market warmly welcomed Kirin, recognizing the authenticity of a beer made by German brewer using German ingredients.
Kirin Brewery Co., Ltd. was established in 1907, taking over the business of Japan Brewery. and ever since then the company has actively invested in facilities and made strenuous efforts to secure supplies of high–quality malt and hops. Thanks to this, Kirin beer, with its emphasis on quality, has been a favorite of beer-lovers in Japan, attaining a 60% domestic market share in 1973.

1990 saw the launch of Kirin Ichiban Shibori, a unique brew made exclusively from the first press of the wort.
In its very first year, Kirin Ichiban generated a record sales volume, and became one of Kirin's most successful products.
And today, Kirin Ichiban occupies a special place in the hearts of millions of beer–lovers in Japan, and around the world.

The kirin – the symbol of Kirin Beer – is a potent creature from ancient Chinese mythology, revered as a harbinger of good luck.
According to legend, when Confucius, the founder of Confucianism, was born in 6th century B.C., a kirin appeared before the eyes of his mother.
Following the practice of European brewers who pictured animals on their product labels, Kirin Beer chose to put this mythological creature bearing the company name on its label to make the product more familiar to Japanese consumers.