Kirin Brewery Company
Encyclopedia
is a Japan
ese company. It is a member of the Mitsubishi
keiretsu
.
(low-malt) category, Kirin Tanrei is the top seller. Kirin handles domestic distribution for several foreign brands, including Budweiser
and Heineken
. Kirin's brewery operations also extend overseas, through strategic alliances, subsidiaries, and affiliates, to China
, Taiwan
, Australia
, the Philippines
, Europe
, New Zealand
and the United States
. The company holds a 100% stake in Lion Nathan Limited
, a consolidated subsidiary that is based in Australia but has particularly important operations in China. Kirin has a 48% stake in San Miguel Brewery, the dominant brewer in the Philippines. Kirin now applies its fermentation
technology to areas such as plant
genetics, pharmaceuticals, and bioengineering. Although brewing and related businesses remain the core of Kirin's activities, the company is also involved in several other sectors: hard liquor, wine
, soft drink
s, and food
products.
In Japanese, "kirin" can refer to giraffes, or to Qilin
, mythical hooved Chinese chimerical creatures. Kirin Brewery is named after the latter.
On July 14, 2009, Kirin announced that it was in negotiations with Suntory
on a merger. On February 8, 2010, it was announced that negotiations between the two were terminated.
On October 2011, the court has decided that Kirin can buy a majority stake in family-run Brazil
ian brewer Schincariol. Kirin will buy 50.45 percent of the stakes with value $2.6 billion.
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
ese company. It is a member of the Mitsubishi
Mitsubishi
The Mitsubishi Group , Mitsubishi Group of Companies, or Mitsubishi Companies is a Japanese multinational conglomerate company that consists of a range of autonomous businesses which share the Mitsubishi brand, trademark and legacy...
keiretsu
Keiretsu
A is a set of companies with interlocking business relationships and shareholdings. It is a type of business group. The keiretsu has maintained dominance over the Japanese economy for the greater half of the twentieth century....
.
Overview
Kirin sells two of the most popular beers in Japan, Kirin Lager--the country's oldest beer brand--and Ichiban Shibori. In the happoshuHapposhu
Happoshu , or low-malt beer, is a tax category of Japanese liquor that most often refers to a beer-like beverage with less than 67% malt content...
(low-malt) category, Kirin Tanrei is the top seller. Kirin handles domestic distribution for several foreign brands, including Budweiser
Budweiser
Budweiser is a German adjective describing something or someone from the city of České Budějovice in Southern Bohemia, Czech Republic.Beer brewing in České Budějovice dates back to the 13th century...
and Heineken
Heineken
Heineken is a Dutch beer which has been brewed by Heineken International since 1873. It is available in a 4.6% alcohol variety in countries such as Ireland. It is the flagship product of the Heineken company and is made of purified water, malted barley, hops, and yeast. In 1886 H...
. Kirin's brewery operations also extend overseas, through strategic alliances, subsidiaries, and affiliates, to China
China
Chinese civilization may refer to:* China for more general discussion of the country.* Chinese culture* Greater China, the transnational community of ethnic Chinese.* History of China* Sinosphere, the area historically affected by Chinese culture...
, Taiwan
Taiwan
Taiwan , also known, especially in the past, as Formosa , is the largest island of the same-named island group of East Asia in the western Pacific Ocean and located off the southeastern coast of mainland China. The island forms over 99% of the current territory of the Republic of China following...
, Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
, the Philippines
Philippines
The Philippines , officially known as the Republic of the Philippines , is a country in Southeast Asia in the western Pacific Ocean. To its north across the Luzon Strait lies Taiwan. West across the South China Sea sits Vietnam...
, Europe
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
, New Zealand
New Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
and the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. The company holds a 100% stake in Lion Nathan Limited
Lion Nathan
Lion Nathan National Foods is the parent company created in October 2009, into which Lion Nathan and National Foods were merged. It is fully owned by Kirin Holdings Company, Limited...
, a consolidated subsidiary that is based in Australia but has particularly important operations in China. Kirin has a 48% stake in San Miguel Brewery, the dominant brewer in the Philippines. Kirin now applies its fermentation
Industrial fermentation
Industrial fermentation is the intentional use of fermentation by microorganisms such as bacteria and fungi to make products useful to humans. Fermented products have applications as food as well as in general industry.- Food fermentation :...
technology to areas such as plant
Plant
Plants are living organisms belonging to the kingdom Plantae. Precise definitions of the kingdom vary, but as the term is used here, plants include familiar organisms such as trees, flowers, herbs, bushes, grasses, vines, ferns, mosses, and green algae. The group is also called green plants or...
genetics, pharmaceuticals, and bioengineering. Although brewing and related businesses remain the core of Kirin's activities, the company is also involved in several other sectors: hard liquor, wine
Wine
Wine is an alcoholic beverage, made of fermented fruit juice, usually from grapes. The natural chemical balance of grapes lets them ferment without the addition of sugars, acids, enzymes, or other nutrients. Grape wine is produced by fermenting crushed grapes using various types of yeast. Yeast...
, soft drink
Soft drink
A soft drink is a non-alcoholic beverage that typically contains water , a sweetener, and a flavoring agent...
s, and food
Food
Food is any substance consumed to provide nutritional support for the body. It is usually of plant or animal origin, and contains essential nutrients, such as carbohydrates, fats, proteins, vitamins, or minerals...
products.
In Japanese, "kirin" can refer to giraffes, or to Qilin
Qilin
The Qilin is a mythical hooved Chinese chimerical creature known throughout various East Asian cultures, and is said to appear with the imminent arrival or passing of a wise sage or an illustrious ruler. It is a good omen that brings rui . It is often depicted with what looks like fire all over...
, mythical hooved Chinese chimerical creatures. Kirin Brewery is named after the latter.
On July 14, 2009, Kirin announced that it was in negotiations with Suntory
Suntory
is a Japanese brewing and distilling company group. Established in 1899, it is one of the oldest companies in the distribution of alcoholic beverages in Japan. Its business has expanded to other fields, and the company now offers everything from soft drinks to sandwich chains...
on a merger. On February 8, 2010, it was announced that negotiations between the two were terminated.
On October 2011, the court has decided that Kirin can buy a majority stake in family-run Brazil
Brazil
Brazil , officially the Federative Republic of Brazil , is the largest country in South America. It is the world's fifth largest country, both by geographical area and by population with over 192 million people...
ian brewer Schincariol. Kirin will buy 50.45 percent of the stakes with value $2.6 billion.
Alcoholic beverage business
- Kirin Distillery Co., Ltd. (Renamed from Kirin-Seagram Ltd. on July 1, 2002)
- Ei Sho Gen Co., Ltd.
- Kirin Communications Stage Co., Ltd.
- Heineken Japan Co., Ltd.
Nutrient food
- Kirin Well-Foods Co., Ltd.
- Takeda-Kirin Foods Corporation
- Cosmo Foods Co., Ltd.
Agribio
- Kirin Green & Flower Co., Ltd.
- Flower Gate, Inc.
- Flower Season Co., Ltd.
- Verdy Co., Ltd.
- Tokita Seed Co., Ltd.
- Japan Potato Corporation
Alcohol business
- Kirin Brewery of America LLC (USA)
- Kirin Europe GmbH (GermanyGermanyGermany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
) - Lion NathanLion NathanLion Nathan National Foods is the parent company created in October 2009, into which Lion Nathan and National Foods were merged. It is fully owned by Kirin Holdings Company, Limited...
Limited (AustraliaAustraliaAustralia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
) - Zhuhai Kirin President Brewery Co., Ltd. (ChinaChinaChinese civilization may refer to:* China for more general discussion of the country.* Chinese culture* Greater China, the transnational community of ethnic Chinese.* History of China* Sinosphere, the area historically affected by Chinese culture...
) - Taiwan Kirin Company, Ltd. (TaiwanTaiwanTaiwan , also known, especially in the past, as Formosa , is the largest island of the same-named island group of East Asia in the western Pacific Ocean and located off the southeastern coast of mainland China. The island forms over 99% of the current territory of the Republic of China following...
) - San Miguel Brewery (PhilippinesPhilippinesThe Philippines , officially known as the Republic of the Philippines , is a country in Southeast Asia in the western Pacific Ocean. To its north across the Luzon Strait lies Taiwan. West across the South China Sea sits Vietnam...
) - Four Roses DistilleryFour RosesFour Roses is a Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey brand owned by the Kirin Brewery Company of Japan. The brand was established in 1888. The trademark was probably named for company founder Rufus Mathewson Rose, his brother Origen, and their two sons, although it is somewhat unclear, as several...
(USA) - Raymond Vineyard and Cellar, Inc. (USA)
Pharmaceutical business
- Kirin-Amgen, Inc.Kirin-Amgen, Inc.Kirin-Amgen, Inc. is a biotechnology joint venture between Kirin Brewery Company, Ltd. and Amgen. It is based in Thousand Oaks, California, USA.-See also:...
(USA) - Gemini Science Inc. (USA)
- Hematech Inc. (USA)
- Jeil-Kirin Pharmaceutical Inc. (KoreaKoreaKorea ) is an East Asian geographic region that is currently divided into two separate sovereign states — North Korea and South Korea. Located on the Korean Peninsula, Korea is bordered by the People's Republic of China to the northwest, Russia to the northeast, and is separated from Japan to the...
) - Kirin Pharmaceuticals Co., Ltd. (Taiwan)
- Kirin Pharmaceuticals (Asia) Co., Ltd. (Hong KongHong KongHong Kong is one of two Special Administrative Regions of the People's Republic of China , the other being Macau. A city-state situated on China's south coast and enclosed by the Pearl River Delta and South China Sea, it is renowned for its expansive skyline and deep natural harbour...
) - Kirin Kunpeng (China) Bio-Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. (China)
Agribio business
- Twyford International, Inc. (USA)
- Kirin Agribio EC B.V. (Paris Office) (FranceFranceThe French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
) - Southern Glass House Produce Ltd. (EnglandEnglandEngland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
) - Fides Holding B.V. (NetherlandsNetherlandsThe Netherlands is a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, located mainly in North-West Europe and with several islands in the Caribbean. Mainland Netherlands borders the North Sea to the north and west, Belgium to the south, and Germany to the east, and shares maritime borders...
) - Barberet & Blanc, S.A. (SpainSpainSpain , officially the Kingdom of Spain languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Spain's official name is as follows:;;;;;;), is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula...
) - Qingdao International Seeds Co., Ltd. (China)
- Germicopa S.A. (France)
- Kirin Agribio Shanghai Co., Ltd. (China)
Other business
- Kirin Australia Pty. Ltd. (Australia)
- Indústria Agrícola Tozan Ltda. (BrazilBrazilBrazil , officially the Federative Republic of Brazil , is the largest country in South America. It is the world's fifth largest country, both by geographical area and by population with over 192 million people...
)
See also
- Beer in Japan
- Kirin CupKirin CupThe Kirin Cup is an annual association football tournament sponsored in Japan by the Kirin Brewery Company. The host, Japan, is a participant in every edition. The tournament was founded in 1978 as an international club competition. From 1992 onwards the format was changed to a round robin national...
- Hangzhou Qiandaohu Beer Co., Ltd.Hangzhou Qiandaohu Beer Co., Ltd.Hangzhou Qiandaohu Beer Co., Ltd. is a brewery located in the town of Qiandaohu, in Chun'an County, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China. It produces several brands of beer, including Cheerday....
(Kirin owns a 25% share in this Chinese brewery)