Maruefu gets a 2025 refresh

Shin Maruefu

Brand: Asahi Breweries

Price: 220 yen

Place of purchase: Belx Supermarket

Rating:

Asahi Superdry is probably the most familiar beer in the brand, but back in the 1980s, Maruefu was commonly offered at izakayas. It was discontinued and then revived in 2021. The retro beer was so popular that it sold out. The old recipe resulted in 4.5% alcohol with mellow hoppy and citrusy flavours. In January 2025, Asahi retired the old recipe, pumped up the alcohol content to 5% and fermentation. The result is not noticeably more alcoholic. It tastes a little more yeasty. It pours with the same lovely golden colour, good body, and a decent head that keeps the carbonation.

So how does it compare to the old Maruefu? The original Maruefu was a nice table beer, moderately alcoholic at 4.5%. It had a nice hoppy and citrusy scent and a not too sharp bitter finish. It's been my preferred beer with dinner since it was revived in 2021. The new version doesn't smell or taste more alcoholic (it's only .5% more, after all). The same decent pilsner characteristics come through. So I'm happy with it. I doubt we'll see anything like the old Coke-new Coke issue as the few reviews from beer nerds indicate that the new version is a likeable mass-produced beer.