Asahi Breweries, Ltd. announced that it will begin year-round nationwide sales of the 350ml canned version of “Peroni Nastro Azzurro” from the PERONI brand starting Tuesday, August 25, 2026.Until now, the brand has primarily been available in Japan in kegs and bottles; the 350ml can made its debut in September 2025 as a limited-quantity release and generated a huge response. Now, about a year later, it is finally available as a regular product that consumers can purchase anytime.
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”Peroni Nastro Azzurro”A Premium Beer Born in Rome, Italy, Loved Around the World
“Peroni Nastro Azzurro” is Peroni’s flagship beer, first introduced in Rome, Italy, in 1963. It was developed as a premium lager under the vision of “crafting a beer that embodies Italy’s renowned craftsmanship and unwavering quality.”According to cumulative sales volume data from January through December 2024 by GlobalData, it ranks as the world’s No. 1 seller in the Italian premium beer market*1. Its distinctive flavor profile features a balanced bitterness and a subtle citrus-like aroma. With a crisp finish and clean aftertaste, it pairs well with meals.In Japan, Asahi Breweries has been selling Peroni on tap and in bottles since 2018, so many people have likely seen its blue-and-white label at Italian restaurants and bars. While consumers have primarily encountered Peroni as draft or bottled beer at restaurants and bars, they will now be able to easily purchase it at supermarkets and convenience stores and keep it stocked in their home refrigerators.
* Source: GlobalData, Global Italian Premium Beer Market, January–December 2024, cumulative sales volume. A premium beer brand originating in Italy.
Product Name: Peroni Nastro Azzurro
Volume: 350ml
Release Date: Nationwide release starting Tuesday, August 25, 2026
”The Origin of the Name and Design of ‘Peroni Nastro Azzurro’”
“Nastro Azzurro,” which appears in the product name, is Italian for “blue ribbon.” The inspiration for this name came from the Italian passenger ship “Rex.”In 1933, the Rex set the record for the fastest transatlantic crossing and was awarded the prestigious “Blue Ribbon” title—an honor bestowed upon the fastest passenger ship operating on the North Atlantic route.“Peroni Nastro Azzurro” was named after this event, which symbolizes Italian engineering prowess and speed. The design of the cans, now available year-round, also features a motif resembling a blue ribbon above and below the brand name.
Click here for the Peroni brand page
THE HOUSE OF PERONI 2026 Tokyo Aperitivo CruiseSetting Sail to Celebrate the Year-Round Launch of the 350ml Peroni Can! Experience How to Enjoy It Onboard
To mark the launch of year-round sales of the 350ml “Peroni Nastro Azzurro” can, a media event titled “THE HOUSE OF PERONI 2026 Tokyo Aperitivo Cruise” was held on August 19, 2026, on the Sumida River in Tokyo.The interior of the cruise ship was decorated in Peroni’s signature blue. With chilled Peroni in hand, guests toasted with the Italian word “Salute” as the ship sailed down the Sumida River on a route from Asakusa to the Rainbow Bridge area.As the Tokyo skyline transforms from dusk into night, guests can savor a luxurious experience that fully immerses them in the world of Peroni. This event will be open to the general public from late August through early September, with participants selected by lottery (the lottery has already closed).
Here, we’ll introduce the ways to enjoy Peroni cans that Asahi Beer is showcasing at “THE HOUSE OF PERONI 2026 Tokyo Aperitivo Cruise.”
[ title_h3 title=”Pour it into a glass and add a spritz of perfume!? Enjoying Peroni with a rich aroma using ‘Profumo'” subtitle=”Way #1 to Enjoy Peroni Discovered on the Aperitivo Cruise”]
The experience that piqued participants’ interest the most was a drinking method using a special fragrance called “Profumo.” You give a quick spritz of Profumo to the top two-thirds of the glass, let the scent mingle with the beer, and then take a sip of Peroni.As you bring the glass to your lips, a refreshing citrus aroma rises, followed by the crisp taste of Peroni. By layering additional citrus nuances onto Peroni’s characteristic subtle citrus scent, you can enjoy a flavor experience quite different from the usual.
You can experience this Profumo at select restaurants and bars where Asahi Breweries distributes “Peroni Nastro Azzurro.” Additionally, the 6-can pack of “Peroni Nastro Azzurro, ” which goes on sale on Tuesday, August 25, comes with a limited-edition mini spray as a bonus, allowing you to enjoy the changing aromas at home as well.Restaurants and bars that carry Peroni are listed on the special Tabelog page below, so be sure to find a place that interests you and pay it a visit.
Find restaurants serving Peroni on Tabelog
Way #2 to Enjoy Peroni, Discovered on the Aperitivo CruiseNot Just for Drinking: A Suggestion for Using It as a Secret Ingredient in Cooking
On board, dishes paired with Peroni were served.In addition to appetizers like shrimp and mango ceviche, salmon and cream cheese vol-au-vent, and a Caprese-style farfalle salad, the main course featured “Pork Stufato”—Kirishima pork simmered in Peroni for about two and a half hours.For dessert, “Billa Misu” was served, made with a special syrup combining Peroni and espresso. The key takeaway here is the idea of not just drinking Peroni, but also using it in cooking. For example, at home, in addition to stews, you could try steaming shellfish in beer or using it in the batter for fritters.By making the most of Peroni’s subtle bitterness and citrus-like aroma, you can add a light, refreshing nuance to your dishes. Also, when considering food pairings, pairing Peroni with acidic appetizers like Caprese or rich ingredients like cheese will bring out its crisp, clean finish.
3 Ways to Enjoy Peroni, Discovered on an Aperitivo CruiseAs an aperitivo companion, to enjoy before dinner
“Aperitivo”—a term featured in the title of this cruise event—refers to an elegant way of spending time that Italians hold dear. It’s a culinary tradition of enjoying light drinks and appetizers before dinner, offering a relaxed atmosphere for socializing.On this cruise as well, music played on board courtesy of a DJ, and participants enjoyed the twilight hours in their own way while savoring beer and food. Rather than heading straight to dinner after a busy day, this distinctly Italian custom of taking the time to enjoy a drink in between seems like a perfect way to enjoy Peroni.
