Orion Draft is a cult-favorite Japanese beer. It’s a refreshing international-style lager with enough character to separate itself from the other macro-brews of Japan.
In this post, you’ll find Orion tasting notes, pairing recommendations, brewery info, and much more.
Orion Draft Tasting Notes
Orion Draft is the quintessential Okinawan beer and is defined by the island’s tropical, coastal climate. It’s light, refreshing, and food-friendly.
Underneath high carbonation is a soft texture and a somewhat malty profile. Orion Draft is semi-dry. Head retention is decent for an industrial brew. Orion Draft’s hop levels are low but provide citrus and floral qualities. There is mild astringency on the finish.
Some of the specific tasting notes found in Orion include honey nut cheerios, light toast, ripe banana, lemon peel, wet concrete, hay, and dried flowers. All of these aroma and flavor attributes are delicate.
Nama Biru
Orion is a draft beer, meaning it’s unpasteurized. In Japan, the word for this is nama. Draft beer has more flavor and a fresher character. Draft beer is common amongst the larger Japanese beer brewers. However, this practice doesn’t apply to the export market. This leaves Orion as one of the few draft export Japanese macro lagers.
Where to Buy Orion Premium Draft Beer
Orion beer can be harder to find than its macro Japanese cousins (Asahi, Sapporo, Kirin). At the same time, it’s the easiest authentic Japanese beer to find outside of the country. By authentic, I mean brewed in Japan. It comes in a variety of sizes, including 11 oz cans and 21.4 oz bottles but is rarely seen on tap.
Locating Orion in restaurants can be difficult. Izakayas and sushi bars with big beverage programs are your best bets. You may have to call around to locate some, though.
Finding Orion retail is usually easier than at restaurants and bars. Japanese markets are always a good place to start. So are Asian markets with solid beer selections. Large alcohol retailers like Total Wine, Binny’s, and BevMo! also often carry Orion. Retail prices for the 21 oz bottles usually range between $3-$5 US each.
Online Retailers of Orion Okinawa Beer
The best place to buy Orion is online. Every state has different alcohol laws, but many allow shipping.
Below are some of our recommended retailers. Be sure to shop around for the best price. I may earn a commission from purchases made through these links.
Serving Orion: Don’t Forget the Awamori!
Serve Orion Draft from cold to chilled. Lighter and refreshing beers are great in the hot summer sun or in the tropics.
This Okinawan beer is highly recommended alongside a glass of Awamori, beer and shot style.
All beer tastes better in a glass! Orion is no exception. A shaker pint will do a good job of allowing the aromas and flavors of this subtle beer to shine.
If you want the ultimate beer-drinking experience, I highly recommend Spiegelau Craft Pilsner and Libbey Stockholm Pilsner glasses. I may earn a commission from purchases made through these links. Both are under $30 and are top producers of beer glassware.
Food Pairing Recommendations
Orion is a great beer to serve alongside Thai and Vietnamese cuisine. Spice is not a problem either. This supple and crisp beer washes strong flavors away, cleansing the palate for the next bite. For this reason, Orion is also recommended for fried and oily food.
Most lighter Japanese fare will also provide a good match.
Proper Beer Storage
Again, draft means unpasteurized— be sure to store this beer in a cold and dark place. Fresher is always better with beer, so be mindful of manufacture or born-on dates.
Technical & Product Information
Orion Premium Draft Beer
Mash Bill: malt, rice, corn, starch
Hops: German Hallertau
ABV: 5% IBU: unknown
Calories: 210 (500 ml bottle)
Brewed year-round
Is Orion Beer Gluten Free?
Oftentimes called Orion rice lager, this beer is also made with a portion of malted barley. This means it is not a gluten-free beer.
Is Orion Craft Beer?
There is only one Orion brewery, but it is large and industrial. Considering Orion’s large production volume, it cannot be considered a craft beer. And legally in Japan, it does not qualify as a craft beer.
Still, Orion Okinawa beer is pretty darn tasty. If you’re drinking Japanese beer outside of Japan, Orion is a step up in quality compared to other major brands like Asahi, Sapporo, and Kirin.
The Orion Brewery in Okinawa
Brewery: Orion Beer (オリオンビール) Location: Nago, Okinawa
EST: 1957
Orion Beer is the smallest of Japan’s top five beer breweries. Asahi, Kirin, Suntory, and lastly Sapporo crowd the market. However, it is the only beer from this group brewed exclusively within Japan. It’s also the beer brewery of Okinawa.
Orion Draft is well-matched to the humid and tropical coastal climate. Orion’s American-style made it a local success. The brewery was founded by Sosei Gushiken in 1957. Okinawa has been home to a substantial US military presence since WWII ended— fueling its popularity.
Recently, a partnership with Asahi has helped spread their beers around the world. In return, Orion contract brews for Asahi and has helped them gain a foothold in Okinawa.
Orion Shirts and Merchandise
Interested in Orion Beer merchandise? Take a look at these items from Amazon. I may earn a commission from qualifying purchases.
Orion Happy Park Okinawa
Orion Happy Park is located at the brewery in Okinawa. Tours allow you to see the brewery in operation, from fermentation to packaging. There’s a tasting session at the end, a restaurant called Yanbaru no Mori, and a shop where you can get merchandise.
