Introducing "Shonan Gold" Fruit: New Refreshing Fruit Flavor "Kirin Hyoketsu® Sugar-Free Shonan Gold ALC.7% (Limited Time)"
Kirin Brewery will launch the limited-edition "Kirin Hyoketsu® Sugar-Free Shonan Gold ALC.7%" nationwide on May 12th, featuring the rare Kanagawa-produced citrus "Shonan Gold." This new flavor in the "Hyoketsu® Sugar-Free" series contains no sugar or sweeteners, offering the juicy fruitiness, refreshing acidity, and elegant aroma unique to Shonan Gold. It aims to invigorate the RTD market as an easy-to-pair sugar-free chu-hi.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: April 15, 2026 at 20:00
- 🔍 Collected: April 15, 2026 at 11:31
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: April 15, 2026 at 17:24 (5h 52m after Collected)
Kirin Brewery Co., Ltd. (President Hideki Horiguchi) will launch "Kirin Hyoketsu® Sugar-Free Shonan Gold ALC.7% (Limited Time)" nationwide on May 12th, as part of its "Kirin Hyoketsu® Sugar-Free" series, which is finished without any sugar or sweeteners for a crisp, refreshing taste.
In recent years, driven by a growing health consciousness and increased consumption during meals, the demand for RTD*1 that is "crisp and not sweet" has been rising. Since its launch in 2020, the "Hyoketsu® Sugar-Free" series has focused on the fruit juice that determines its flavor, pursuing "clear fruitiness without excess sweetness" made possible by being sugar-free. This unique taste of "Hyoketsu® Sugar-Free" has been supported, surpassing a cumulative total of 1.8 billion bottles*2 in the fastest time among Kirin's RTD brands launched in the past 20 years, leading the expanding "sugar-free chu-hi" category.
*1: Abbreviation for Ready to Drink. An alcoholic beverage that can be consumed immediately after opening.
*2: Based on 350ml equivalents, as of the end of February 2026.
The "Kirin Hyoketsu® Sugar-Free Shonan Gold ALC.7% (Limited Time)" to be launched this time is the first time the "Hyoketsu®" brand has adopted "Shonan Gold," a Kanagawa Prefecture-produced fruit. By choosing a novel flavor, we embody the brand's commitment to "Always New" and create an opportunity for new customers, as well as existing ones, to pick up a "sugar-free chu-hi."
"Hyoketsu®" is a brand that aims to "brighten and refresh our customers' today." Through the launch of this limited-time product, we aim to revitalize the RTD market by proposing a new deliciousness for "sugar-free chu-hi."
● Taste
- Uses "Shonan Gold," a Kanagawa Prefecture-produced fruit, characterized by its juicy fruitiness and refreshing acidity. "Shonan Gold" is a hybrid variety of Satsuma mandarin and Golden Orange, featuring the juicy fruitiness of mandarins and the elegant aroma of oranges.
- A "sugar-free chu-hi" that can be enjoyed with a non-tiring drinking experience, easily paired with meals, while enjoying the refreshing fruitiness. (0.3% fruit juice)
● Package
The light blue sugar-free logo typical of "Hyoketsu® Sugar-Free" is adorned with an illustration that conveys the rich fruitiness of Shonan Gold. An orange limited icon emphasizes the specialness of this limited-time offering.
● "Sugar-Free Chu-Hi Encyclopedia by Kirin Hyoketsu® Sugar-Free"
On the "Hyoketsu®" brand website, we have published the "Sugar-Free Chu-Hi Encyclopedia by Kirin Hyoketsu® Sugar-Free," which compiles market data and customer survey results that illustrate the reality of the growing "sugar-free chu-hi" market.
Details: https://www.kirin.co.jp/alcohol/rtd/hyoketsu/muto-taizen/
Kirin Group, through its manufacturing that observes nature and people, aims to expand new joys of "food and health" and contribute to the realization of a richly fulfilling society.
- Record -
1. Product Name: "Kirin Hyoketsu® Sugar-Free Shonan Gold ALC.7% (Limited Time)"
2. Launch Date: May 12, 2026 (Tuesday)
3. Sales Region: Nationwide
4. Volume/Container: 350ml Can, 500ml Can
5. Price: Open Price
6. Alcohol Content: 7%
7. Pure Alcohol Content: 350ml Can: 19.6g, 500ml Can: 28g
8. Manufacturing Plants: Kirin Brewery Sendai Plant, Toride Plant, Nagoya Plant, Okayama Plant / Kirin Distillery Fuji-Gotemba Distillery (planned)
In recent years, driven by a growing health consciousness and increased consumption during meals, the demand for RTD*1 that is "crisp and not sweet" has been rising. Since its launch in 2020, the "Hyoketsu® Sugar-Free" series has focused on the fruit juice that determines its flavor, pursuing "clear fruitiness without excess sweetness" made possible by being sugar-free. This unique taste of "Hyoketsu® Sugar-Free" has been supported, surpassing a cumulative total of 1.8 billion bottles*2 in the fastest time among Kirin's RTD brands launched in the past 20 years, leading the expanding "sugar-free chu-hi" category.
*1: Abbreviation for Ready to Drink. An alcoholic beverage that can be consumed immediately after opening.
*2: Based on 350ml equivalents, as of the end of February 2026.
The "Kirin Hyoketsu® Sugar-Free Shonan Gold ALC.7% (Limited Time)" to be launched this time is the first time the "Hyoketsu®" brand has adopted "Shonan Gold," a Kanagawa Prefecture-produced fruit. By choosing a novel flavor, we embody the brand's commitment to "Always New" and create an opportunity for new customers, as well as existing ones, to pick up a "sugar-free chu-hi."
"Hyoketsu®" is a brand that aims to "brighten and refresh our customers' today." Through the launch of this limited-time product, we aim to revitalize the RTD market by proposing a new deliciousness for "sugar-free chu-hi."
● Taste
- Uses "Shonan Gold," a Kanagawa Prefecture-produced fruit, characterized by its juicy fruitiness and refreshing acidity. "Shonan Gold" is a hybrid variety of Satsuma mandarin and Golden Orange, featuring the juicy fruitiness of mandarins and the elegant aroma of oranges.
- A "sugar-free chu-hi" that can be enjoyed with a non-tiring drinking experience, easily paired with meals, while enjoying the refreshing fruitiness. (0.3% fruit juice)
● Package
The light blue sugar-free logo typical of "Hyoketsu® Sugar-Free" is adorned with an illustration that conveys the rich fruitiness of Shonan Gold. An orange limited icon emphasizes the specialness of this limited-time offering.
● "Sugar-Free Chu-Hi Encyclopedia by Kirin Hyoketsu® Sugar-Free"
On the "Hyoketsu®" brand website, we have published the "Sugar-Free Chu-Hi Encyclopedia by Kirin Hyoketsu® Sugar-Free," which compiles market data and customer survey results that illustrate the reality of the growing "sugar-free chu-hi" market.
Details: https://www.kirin.co.jp/alcohol/rtd/hyoketsu/muto-taizen/
Kirin Group, through its manufacturing that observes nature and people, aims to expand new joys of "food and health" and contribute to the realization of a richly fulfilling society.
- Record -
1. Product Name: "Kirin Hyoketsu® Sugar-Free Shonan Gold ALC.7% (Limited Time)"
2. Launch Date: May 12, 2026 (Tuesday)
3. Sales Region: Nationwide
4. Volume/Container: 350ml Can, 500ml Can
5. Price: Open Price
6. Alcohol Content: 7%
7. Pure Alcohol Content: 350ml Can: 19.6g, 500ml Can: 28g
8. Manufacturing Plants: Kirin Brewery Sendai Plant, Toride Plant, Nagoya Plant, Okayama Plant / Kirin Distillery Fuji-Gotemba Distillery (planned)