Kirin Company

Kirin Company, Limited (Kirin Kabushiki-gaisha) is a Japanese integrated beverages company. It is a subsidiary of Kirin Holdings Company, Limited. The company's headquarters are located in Nakano-ku, Tokyo.

History

The Kirin Company was established in 1885 as the Japan Brewery Company, Limited in Yokohama. The company's first product was Kirin Beer, which was named after the Chinese mythological creature, the Qilin. The creature was also used as the company's logo.

In 1907, the company was renamed Kirin Brewery Company, Limited. Over the years, the company expanded its product line to include not only beer but also soft drinks and other beverages. In 1987, Kirin Brewery Company, Limited was restructured into Kirin Company, Limited, and Kirin Brewery Company, Limited became a subsidiary of the new company.

Products

Kirin Company, Limited produces a wide range of beverages. These include:

• Beer: Kirin's flagship product is Kirin Beer, which is one of the most popular beers in Japan. The company also produces other beer brands such as Kirin Ichiban and Kirin Lager.
• Soft drinks: Kirin produces a variety of soft drinks under the Kirin brand. These include Kirin Lemon, a popular lemon-flavored soft drink, and Kirin Mets, a carbonated soft drink.
• Whisky: Kirin also produces whisky under the Fuji Gotemba Distillery brand.
• Wine: Kirin produces wine under the Mercian Corporation brand.

Subsidiaries

Kirin Company, Limited has several subsidiaries, including:

• Kirin Brewery Company, Limited: This is the company's beer brewing subsidiary. It operates several breweries in Japan and overseas.
• Mercian Corporation: This subsidiary produces wine and other alcoholic beverages.
• Fuji Gotemba Distillery: This subsidiary produces whisky and other spirits.

See also

• List of companies of Japan
• Beer in Japan
• Economy of Japan