Japan, Tokyo: Kirin Brewery Co. plans to modify the flavor and packaging of its Tanrei low-malt beer between January and February. It has already raised the barley content of its mainline Kirin Tanrei low-malt beer by at least 20 %, Asia in Focus posted on December 9. By doing so, Kirin is targeting a 2-million-case sales increase to about 78 million cases next year from its estimate for the current year.

Other Japanese beer manufacturers, including Sapporo Breweries Ltd. and Suntory Ltd, hope to revive sales of low-malt beer by revamping existing brands and launching new products.

12 December, 2004