Japanese breweries eyeing young drinkers

TOKYO, Aug. 16 (UPI) -- Two Japanese breweries are creating new beers aimed at a younger audience, a brewery worker says.

Asahi Breweries Ltd. and Kirin Brewery Co. are creating new products with the profitable age demographic in mind, The Asahi Shimbun reported Saturday.

A Kirin employee said the company will release its newest creation, Kirin Smooth, Sept. 17. The unidentified 29-year-old employee said the beer was made to be lighter and less bitter than other beers.

"Young people don't like beer's bitter taste. We tried to create a beverage that is attractive to them," the employee told the Japanese newspaper.

Asahi will then follow up Smooth's release on Oct. 21 with Asahi Ginger Draft, which is low in malts and contains ginger extract.