This weekend we didn’t do much except make a run to Costco Sunday morning. The shopping list was pretty small, actually. One of the more interesting things we got is a case of Kirkland craft beer. I think it is the same stuff you’d be able to get in Costco stores in America, but here in Japan craft beer is pretty rare, and pretty expensive. Beer is really expensive in Japan, whatever the type. Here’s a quick breakdown in price…
First, just plain regular beer. Asahi Super Dry, for example. One standard 350ml can is about 166 yen ($2 US).
Next, premium beer. Suntory Premium Malts, for example. One standard 350ml can is about 208 yen ($2.60).
Low end craft beer. Yona Yona Ale is a good example, although there are only two or three in this category. One standard 350ml can is about 250 yen ($3.13).
Japanese craft beer. There are more and more examples of these. Minoh Brewery is one of my favorites. One 350ml bottle is about 400 yen ($5.00)
Next, imported cheap beer. Budweiser, for example. One standard 350ml can is about 260 yen ($3.25).
Finally, imported craft beer. I can get a 350ml bottle of Kona Brewing company Pale Ale for about 350 yen ($4.38).
But yesterday we paid 153 yen ($1.91) a bottle for the Kirkland craft beer.
That is a really big difference. Also interesting to note is that Costco sells Japanese beers as well, but the price is the same as buying it anywhere else.
So the good news is that I’ll be able to drink affordable craft beer again in Japan. I tried the four different types that came in the case this weekend, Pale Ale, Amber Ale, IPA and Belgian White, and I was pleasantly surprised – they were better than I expected. It was hard to believe that I was drinking the cheapest beer in Japan.
