Kirin vs Suntory:Which is more popular?
In October 2026, Kirin had more branded searches than Suntory among Japanese beer brands worldwide. Kirin had about 82,600 branded searches, while Suntory had 12,100. Kirin made up 20.5% of all Japanese beer brand searches we track, and Suntory accounted for 3%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about Japanese beer brands, Kirin appeared in all five answers and Suntory in three. Kirin was mentioned before Suntory in every answer.
Who do people search for more?
Kirin, about 7 searches for every 1 for Suntory
Who does AI mention more?
Kirin, mentioned in every answer we collected
Who does AI recommend more?
Kirin, named ahead of Suntory in every answer
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Top Japanese beer brands in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews
In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, Kirin appeared in all five answers. Suntory was mentioned in three out of five: in one of the three ChatGPT answers and in both Google AI Overviews. Kirin was listed before Suntory in every answer.
Most recommended by AI
Brands get a higher ranking if they are mentioned earlier in the answers.
Mentioned by AI
Each dot is one answer, filled in when that answer mentions the brand.
Asahi5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
Sapporo5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers- Kirin5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
Yebisu5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
Hitachino Nest4 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
Orion3 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
Suntory3 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
See every answer about Japanese beer brands
5 answers
Asked ChatGPT
“Which Japanese beer should I try?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What are the best Japanese beer brands?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What's a good Japanese beer to drink with sushi?”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“japanese beer”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“japanese beer brands”
Brands are shown in the order each answer named them. The survey took place in the United States on October 25, 2026.
Is Kirin or Suntory more popular in search?
This chart shows how often people search Google for Kirin and Suntory by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all seven Japanese beer brands we track, month by month, from English-language searches worldwide.
Share of searches by month for Kirin, Suntory. The figures are in the table below the chart.
View monthly share of searches table
| Month | Asahi | Sapporo | Kirin | Orion | Suntory | Yebisu | Hitachino Nest |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nov 2025 | 34.6% | 34.6% | 18.9% | 4.7% | 2.5% | 3.8% | 0.91% |
| Dec 2025 | 34.2% | 34.2% | 20.6% | 3.8% | 2.5% | 3.8% | 0.9% |
| Jan 2026 | 30.7% | 37.4% | 20.4% | 4.1% | 2.2% | 4.1% | 0.99% |
| Feb 2026 | 31.7% | 38.5% | 19% | 4.2% | 2.3% | 3.5% | 0.84% |
| Mar 2026 | 30.7% | 37.4% | 20.4% | 4.1% | 2.2% | 4.1% | 0.99% |
| Apr 2026 | 30.5% | 37.1% | 20.3% | 5% | 2.7% | 3.3% | 0.98% |
| May 2026 | 33.2% | 33.2% | 22.2% | 4.5% | 2.4% | 3.7% | 0.87% |
| Jun 2026 | 38.9% | 31.7% | 19.5% | 4.3% | 1.9% | 2.9% | 0.84% |
| Jul 2026 | 29.6% | 36% | 22.1% | 5.9% | 2.2% | 3.2% | 0.95% |
| Aug 2026 | 30.4% | 37.3% | 20.3% | 6.1% | 2.2% | 2.7% | 0.8% |
| Sep 2026 | 31.3% | 38.4% | 19.2% | 5.1% | 2.3% | 2.8% | 0.82% |
| Oct 2026 | 33.5% | 33.5% | 20.5% | 5.5% | 3% | 3% | 0.89% |
How has branded search for Kirin and Suntory changed worldwide over the last 12 months?
3 findings
- Kirin was ahead of Suntory in every measured month of the 12 months ending October 2026.
- Across the 12 months ending October 2026, Kirin’s share of searches among Japanese beer brands worldwide moved from 18.9% to 20.5%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 60.2K to 82.6K.
- Across the 12 months ending October 2026, Suntory’s share of searches among Japanese beer brands worldwide moved from 2.5% to 3%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 8.1K to 12.1K.
How did search popularity change for Japanese beer brands worldwide in October 2026?
2 changes
In October 2026, Suntory overtook Yebisu to rank 5th among Japanese beer brands worldwide, with 3% of the searches.
In October 2026, Kirin gained share of searches among Japanese beer brands worldwide, from 19.2% to 20.5%.
How are Kirin’s and Suntory’s branded searches counted?
3 search terms
Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Kirin’s and Suntory’s names. When viewed over time, estimated search volumes for these branded terms can be used to understand whether interest in the brands is growing, holding steady, or fading.
Other head-to-heads among Japanese beer brands
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