When you think about Japan and Alcohol, the first thing that springs to mind is probably Sake. However, beer it seems is rather popular with the Japanese. Asahi is by far the biggest selling beer in Japan and it is fast becoming popular around the world, In fact our very Peter Evans say’s it’s his favourite beer. Asahi’s Super dry beer is the number 1 beer in Japan and the company even built a beer hall named after it (that’s the building with the golden flame) Peter loves it so much he makes sure all his restaurants are stocked with Asahi beer. It’s seems very fitting that whilst in Japan, Pete visits the home of Asahi beer and Speaks to the General Manager of the International Headquarters, Mr Sugiura about Asahi Beer.

Asahi beer was started in 1889 (Then called the Osaka Beer brewing company). Asahi beer released its first ale in 1892 and has been a highly successful company ever since, breaking into the soft drink, food and health and wine markets. The Asahi Super Dry Beer has been the number one beer in Japan since its release in 1987. In 1989 the new headquarters Asahi Beer tower and the Asahi Super Dry Hall were completed. It stands on the site of the original Asahi beer brewery.

The Asahi Beer Tower acts as the companies head office. Its exterior design is intended to look like a mug of beer, with its orange tinted glass and white panelling on the roof. The Asahi Super Dry hall next door is a black granite building designed by Philippe Stark. Atop this building you’ll see a golden structure. It’s known as the Golden Flame, but fondly referred to as the golden turd!

On Level 22 of the Beer Tower there is a bar called the Asahi Sky Bar.

In the building next door (the Super Dry Beer Hall) is a place called the Flamme d’or Bar – this is a beer hall. There is also a restaurant called ‘La Narita’. Here the menu varies from western to Japanese food. Asahi reps say that Asahi beer goes with all foods!

Asahi beer Headquarters
Level 16
23-1, Azumabashi 1-chome,
Sumida-ku, Tokyo
130-8602, Japan
www.asahibeer.co.jp