Japan’s second largest brewer, Kirin Holdings, is hopeful to build market share in the growing Taiwanese craft beer market.

Kirin, which holds a 34% market share in Japan, will begin exporting its Spring Valley brand (their ‘craft’ beer arm) later this year.

According to 2019 estimates craft beer in Taiwan makes up about 5% of the total beer market, with various imported beers making up another 30%.  The craft beer market in Japan, in contrast, is only about 1% of the total beer market.

Spring Valley was launched by Kirin Holdings in 2015 to tap into the growing Japanese craft beer market. They currently operate brewery restaurants in Tokyo’s trendy Daikanyama district as well as in Yokahama and Kyoto.

Ichiban Shabouri, Kirin’s flagship premium lager brand, already has a foothold in the Taiwanese market being sold in over 350 restaurants islandwide. Ichiban Shabouri as well as a range of other Kirin products are distributed through their local subsidiary the Taiwan Kirin Company Ltd. which will also be responsible for the marketing and distribution of Spring Valley.

The Taiwan craft beer market has been growing steadily over the past 5 years with now more than 20 independent breweries calling the island home. Due to the government’s proactive handling of the coronavirus the island’s beer industry, while still facing a tough year, has not been hit as hard as those in other parts of the region.