Orion has been brewed in Nago, Okinawa since 1957, and it dominates the island in a way none of Japan’s national brands (Asahi, Kirin, Sapporo, Suntory) can match. It is the beer of choice at Okinawan barbecues, beach parties and the izakayas that line Naha’s side streets.
At a Glance
| Style | Pale lager |
| ABV | 5.0% |
| Calories | About 147 per 350ml can |
| Carbs | About 10.5g per 350ml can |
| Origin | Orion Breweries, Nago, Okinawa, Japan |
| Ingredients | Malt, hops, barley, rice, corn, starch |
| Vegan | Yes |
| Gluten free | No, brewed from barley malt |
| Typical price | Around $3 to $5 per bottle at Japanese and Asian markets, or Total Wine and BevMo in the US |
How it tastes, by the numbers
Orion is built to be refreshing in Okinawa’s subtropical heat, with a light body and almost no bitterness.
The full review
Orion pours pale straw gold with a thin white head that fades fast. The nose is clean and grainy, with barely a whisper of hops.
On the palate it is light-bodied, mildly sweet from the rice and corn in the grain bill, and finishes crisp and dry. There is not much complexity here, and that is the appeal: it is a warm-weather session beer, not a beer built for sipping and analysis.
Compared to Japan’s national brands, Orion is noticeably lighter and less bitter than Asahi Super Dry, and closer in character to a Southeast Asian lager than a mainland Japanese one, a nod to Okinawa’s subtropical climate and history.
“A clean, mild lager that tastes like the Okinawan coast: light, warm and completely unhurried.”, Beer Is My Life
- Very light, refreshing body suited to hot weather
- Genuinely distinct from mainland Japanese lagers
- Cultural icon in Okinawa with real brewing history since 1957
- Reasonably priced where it is available
- Harder to find outside Japanese markets and large import retailers
- Not much hop character for drinkers who want bitterness
- Rarely available on tap outside Japan
Who it is for
Fans of light Asian lagers and anyone curious about regional Japanese beer beyond the big four national brands.
Where to buy Orion
Orion is not carried by US beer delivery services, but it is stocked at many Japanese and Asian grocery stores, and by large retailers like Total Wine and BevMo. If you want a similarly clean, easy-drinking lager delivered to your door, Sapporo Premium is the closest widely available match. Use the button above to check availability and pricing near you.
FAQs
What does Orion beer taste like?
Light, crisp and mildly sweet with almost no bitterness, similar to other rice-adjunct Asian lagers but distinct from mainland Japanese brands like Asahi and Kirin.
How much alcohol is in Orion beer?
Orion Draft has an ABV of 5.0%.
Who makes Orion beer?
Orion Breweries, based in Nago, Okinawa, Japan. It has brewed there since 1957 and is the only major Japanese beer brewed exclusively on Okinawa.
Can you buy Orion beer in the US?
Yes, at Japanese and Asian grocery stores and some large retailers like Total Wine and BevMo, though it is not on mainstream beer delivery apps.
Is Orion beer gluten free?
No, it is brewed from barley malt and contains gluten.
