New 'Beers' for young tastes

To entice the younger generation to quaff more beer, two brewery companies will introduce beer this fall developed by young people.

On Oct. 21, Asahi Breweries Ltd. will start selling Asahi Ginger Draft, a happoshu low-malt beer containing ginger extract. It will sell for about 160 yen for a 350-milliliter can.

Rival Kirin Brewery Co. will introduce Kirin Smooth, a third-category beer, on Sept. 17. Selling for about 140 yen a can, the lighter beverage will have a lower carbon content and 4 percent alcohol.

"Young people don't like beer's bitter taste. We tried to create a beverage that is attractive to them," said a 29-year-old Kirin employee.(IHT/Asahi: August 16,2008)