Sapporo Premium Beer
Sapporo Breweries Ltd.


Beer Geek Stats:
| Print Shelf Talker
- Style:
- Lager - American
Ranked #495 - ABV:
- 4.9%
- Score:
- 67
Ranked #49,921 - Avg:
- 2.89 | pDev: 20.07%
- Reviews:
- 728
- Ratings:
- From:
- Sapporo Breweries Ltd.
- Japan
- Avail:
- Year-round
- Wants
- 34
- Gots
- 607
SCORE
67
Poor
67
Poor


Notes:
No adjunct. All barley lager.
Reviews: 728
| Ratings: 2,392
| Log in to view all ratings and sort
Reviews by tracycramer:
tracycramer from Texas
2.72/5 rDev -5.9%
look: 3 | smell: 2.75 | taste: 2.75 | feel: 2.25 | overall: 2.75
11/30/19
Overly carbonated, thin, lager that could have appeared under any number of other corporate beer brand names, and no one (well, beer elitist no nothings like me who drink Austin, Texas craft beer) would have known the difference. Karl Marx is said to have enjoyed Viennese lager while in London. I think he would have agreed with me when I say, meh!
Dec 01, 2019
2.72/5 rDev -5.9%
look: 3 | smell: 2.75 | taste: 2.75 | feel: 2.25 | overall: 2.75
11/30/19
Overly carbonated, thin, lager that could have appeared under any number of other corporate beer brand names, and no one (well, beer elitist no nothings like me who drink Austin, Texas craft beer) would have known the difference. Karl Marx is said to have enjoyed Viennese lager while in London. I think he would have agreed with me when I say, meh!
Dec 01, 2019
More User Reviews:
StoutandBitter from England
4.3/5 rDev +48.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
Big fan of oriental beers, and this is one of my favourites.
An nice, light colour, but little head and little lacing. Nice, light yeasty smell.
One of the best tasting lagers, Crisp and refreshing, packed with flavour, but dissapates quickly with almost no after taste.
This is a good hot day beer, perfect for those BBQ's and backyard pool parties. A great everyday beer.
Aug 21, 2008
4.3/5 rDev +48.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
Big fan of oriental beers, and this is one of my favourites.
An nice, light colour, but little head and little lacing. Nice, light yeasty smell.
One of the best tasting lagers, Crisp and refreshing, packed with flavour, but dissapates quickly with almost no after taste.
This is a good hot day beer, perfect for those BBQ's and backyard pool parties. A great everyday beer.
Aug 21, 2008
chin_K from Korea (South)
3.98/5 rDev +37.7%
look: 1.5 | smell: 2.75 | taste: 5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4.25
I was pleasantly surprised by this adjunct.
It poured smoothly, and the head was soft. It didn't have a predominantly strong smell, maybe ever so slightly hoppy but to claim it is hoppy would be stretching it. The taste, however, really was captivating. It wasn't bitter, but it wasn't sweet either. There was an excellent balance of malts and rice, and the carbonation really fills your nasal cavity with the flavor as well (which I think makes up for the mild smell before drinking it).
I have tasted Kirin Ichiban and Asahi Super Dry, and I have to say that Sapporo is the best Japanese beer I have tasted. (Granted I haven't had too many).
Aug 20, 2015
3.98/5 rDev +37.7%
look: 1.5 | smell: 2.75 | taste: 5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4.25
I was pleasantly surprised by this adjunct.
It poured smoothly, and the head was soft. It didn't have a predominantly strong smell, maybe ever so slightly hoppy but to claim it is hoppy would be stretching it. The taste, however, really was captivating. It wasn't bitter, but it wasn't sweet either. There was an excellent balance of malts and rice, and the carbonation really fills your nasal cavity with the flavor as well (which I think makes up for the mild smell before drinking it).
I have tasted Kirin Ichiban and Asahi Super Dry, and I have to say that Sapporo is the best Japanese beer I have tasted. (Granted I haven't had too many).
Aug 20, 2015
kylehay2004 from Illinois
2.76/5 rDev -4.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3
A: 3 finger head. Clear straw colored
S: bread and some light malt.
T: bready and grainy. Subtle spicey finish. Goes well with soy sauce, obviously.
M: light body and high carbonation. Crisp and refreshing.
Overall: Its a typical macro-brew flavored beer. Not terrible and its cripsness makes it easy to consume.
Sep 16, 2011
2.76/5 rDev -4.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3
A: 3 finger head. Clear straw colored
S: bread and some light malt.
T: bready and grainy. Subtle spicey finish. Goes well with soy sauce, obviously.
M: light body and high carbonation. Crisp and refreshing.
Overall: Its a typical macro-brew flavored beer. Not terrible and its cripsness makes it easy to consume.
Sep 16, 2011
al_al1357 from Canada (ON)
3.69/5 rDev +27.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.5
Standard-looking lager beer with more head than most average macro-brews. On the nose there are subtle notes of barley, wheat and hops. Taste reflects the smell of the beer. Overall a light, light-bodied and refreshing beer if drank cold.
Jan 16, 2017
3.69/5 rDev +27.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.5
Standard-looking lager beer with more head than most average macro-brews. On the nose there are subtle notes of barley, wheat and hops. Taste reflects the smell of the beer. Overall a light, light-bodied and refreshing beer if drank cold.
Jan 16, 2017
jamesroses from Argentina
3.92/5 rDev +35.6%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
355ml US produced beer.
March 2017 batch, best before December 2018.
Clear golden, builds a big small bubbles head.
Really good and pretty strong floral hoppy aroma is perceived after opening the can. Tastes of light grains and soft herbal/floral hops. Mouthfeel is light without being watery.
Overall a really nice surprise.
Oct 14, 2018
3.92/5 rDev +35.6%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
355ml US produced beer.
March 2017 batch, best before December 2018.
Clear golden, builds a big small bubbles head.
Really good and pretty strong floral hoppy aroma is perceived after opening the can. Tastes of light grains and soft herbal/floral hops. Mouthfeel is light without being watery.
Overall a really nice surprise.
Oct 14, 2018
Dougal from New Jersey
5/5 rDev +73%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5
This Sapporo is brewed in Toronto, CANADA and it is one of the best beers I have every tasted. Often I enjoy a light beer which is a no no to some beer lovers but I think that is ridiculous.
This beer is the most refreshing of beers. Everything a light beer should be but isn't.
Aug 23, 2010
5/5 rDev +73%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5
This Sapporo is brewed in Toronto, CANADA and it is one of the best beers I have every tasted. Often I enjoy a light beer which is a no no to some beer lovers but I think that is ridiculous.
This beer is the most refreshing of beers. Everything a light beer should be but isn't.
Aug 23, 2010
thommo_nk from Scotland
2.68/5 rDev -7.3%
look: 3 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3
650ml can, meaning the beer has a slight metallic taste, otherwise not bad, fairly generic lager if you ask me. As far as jap beer goes, better to stick with Kirin Ichiban if you ask me.
Feb 01, 2015
2.68/5 rDev -7.3%
look: 3 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3
650ml can, meaning the beer has a slight metallic taste, otherwise not bad, fairly generic lager if you ask me. As far as jap beer goes, better to stick with Kirin Ichiban if you ask me.
Feb 01, 2015
OKbrew89 from Oklahoma
3.29/5 rDev +13.8%
look: 3.25 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.25
It's a simplified, bare bones lager that goes well with sushi. Corn-sweet malt is present where it's supposed to be and it's light and properly carbonated for a beer. Enough hops in it to keep it from being nothing but sweet malt. Crisp finish. And perfectly enjoyable in the right situation.
Dec 04, 2018
3.29/5 rDev +13.8%
look: 3.25 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.25
It's a simplified, bare bones lager that goes well with sushi. Corn-sweet malt is present where it's supposed to be and it's light and properly carbonated for a beer. Enough hops in it to keep it from being nothing but sweet malt. Crisp finish. And perfectly enjoyable in the right situation.
Dec 04, 2018
PolishHurricane from Massachusetts
3.73/5 rDev +29.1%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.25
I usually drink a lot of high-end beers, and I think this beer is way under-rated. Purchased glass bottled/Wisconsin version. I consider this a light lager at 140 calories (12oz) compared to 175 for a Sam Adams lager.
Look: Not going to win any awards and cloudy, it's not bad though for what it is.
Smell: Grains, a bit acidic, kind of like the smell of a sharp cheese. Has a bit of funk to it, it's a plus in my opinion.
Taste: Barley, slightly sweet, a bit sharp, very light on the hops. Towards the end of the bottle you can get a little difference in taste. It does have a very slight metallic/sour aftertaste, very minor, but generally just as pleasant as most lager aftertastes. Make sure you buy it in a glass bottle, and don't buy the canned stuff that's been sitting on a shelf for 2 years or I'm sure it'll taste more metallic.
Feel: Medium carbonation, fairly thin mouth feel. I typically drink unfiltered Bavarians and I still don't find this watery. For a light lager, this is as thick as it needs to be.
For a premium light, and reasonably priced, lager, I'm giving this a 4.25 overall. This beer goes great with a lot of food, pairs well with Sushi (acidic) and spicy foods (refreshingly neutral). Most people give it a bad rap because they called it "Premium", but I really think it blows a lot of crappy American lagers out of the water.
Aug 13, 2018
3.73/5 rDev +29.1%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.25
I usually drink a lot of high-end beers, and I think this beer is way under-rated. Purchased glass bottled/Wisconsin version. I consider this a light lager at 140 calories (12oz) compared to 175 for a Sam Adams lager.
Look: Not going to win any awards and cloudy, it's not bad though for what it is.
Smell: Grains, a bit acidic, kind of like the smell of a sharp cheese. Has a bit of funk to it, it's a plus in my opinion.
Taste: Barley, slightly sweet, a bit sharp, very light on the hops. Towards the end of the bottle you can get a little difference in taste. It does have a very slight metallic/sour aftertaste, very minor, but generally just as pleasant as most lager aftertastes. Make sure you buy it in a glass bottle, and don't buy the canned stuff that's been sitting on a shelf for 2 years or I'm sure it'll taste more metallic.
Feel: Medium carbonation, fairly thin mouth feel. I typically drink unfiltered Bavarians and I still don't find this watery. For a light lager, this is as thick as it needs to be.
For a premium light, and reasonably priced, lager, I'm giving this a 4.25 overall. This beer goes great with a lot of food, pairs well with Sushi (acidic) and spicy foods (refreshingly neutral). Most people give it a bad rap because they called it "Premium", but I really think it blows a lot of crappy American lagers out of the water.
Aug 13, 2018
mlatvakokko from Massachusetts
2.88/5 rDev -0.3%
look: 3 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2.75
OK,
I do not like lagers. This one is an exception. It is OK, more than OK. Like all lagers it is clear and smells mildly of hop barley mix. The malt is moderate it is not hoppy, but it refreshing and it has survived shipping that most ales will never do. In a can this is 1000 times better than bud light and a 100 times better than Heineken. All in all a beer worth drinking, and actually a decent compliment to e.g. sushi.
Jun 11, 2018
2.88/5 rDev -0.3%
look: 3 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2.75
OK,
I do not like lagers. This one is an exception. It is OK, more than OK. Like all lagers it is clear and smells mildly of hop barley mix. The malt is moderate it is not hoppy, but it refreshing and it has survived shipping that most ales will never do. In a can this is 1000 times better than bud light and a 100 times better than Heineken. All in all a beer worth drinking, and actually a decent compliment to e.g. sushi.
Jun 11, 2018
nicholas2121 from Ohio
3.53/5 rDev +22.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
Sapporo Premium Beer brewed by Sapporo Breweries Ltd., with an ABV of 5.0% This brew pours out a nice amber color with a nice white head. This brew has the look of american style brew, not saying that is a bad thing. The smell of this brew is strong with grains, you also pick up malts and some hops. I have something silmiler to this in the past. I can put my finger on it right now. Now for the taste, it is bold with flavors, you pick up the grins in this brew. You also pick up malts and hops in the taste of this brew. This brew puts in the mind set of a cross between a american brew and malt liquor. Something with a lot of rice. I guess what I have been calling some brews corn brew when in fact it is rice brew. I really do enjoy the taste of Sapporo Premium Beer. Sapporo Premium Beer, has a nice balance to it, there is nothing overpowering about this brew. There are a lot of grains in this brew, but this is a rice brew. Overall I'm giving Sapporo Premium Beer a 3.5 out of 5. I would buy this brew again.
Sapporo Breweries Ltd. did a nice job with this brew. Note this is one of my first brews from Japan.
Oct 28, 2015
3.53/5 rDev +22.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
Sapporo Premium Beer brewed by Sapporo Breweries Ltd., with an ABV of 5.0% This brew pours out a nice amber color with a nice white head. This brew has the look of american style brew, not saying that is a bad thing. The smell of this brew is strong with grains, you also pick up malts and some hops. I have something silmiler to this in the past. I can put my finger on it right now. Now for the taste, it is bold with flavors, you pick up the grins in this brew. You also pick up malts and hops in the taste of this brew. This brew puts in the mind set of a cross between a american brew and malt liquor. Something with a lot of rice. I guess what I have been calling some brews corn brew when in fact it is rice brew. I really do enjoy the taste of Sapporo Premium Beer. Sapporo Premium Beer, has a nice balance to it, there is nothing overpowering about this brew. There are a lot of grains in this brew, but this is a rice brew. Overall I'm giving Sapporo Premium Beer a 3.5 out of 5. I would buy this brew again.
Sapporo Breweries Ltd. did a nice job with this brew. Note this is one of my first brews from Japan.
Oct 28, 2015
metter98 from New York
2.91/5 rDev +0.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3
A: The beer is crystal clear straw yellow in color and has a light amount of visible carbonation. It poured with a thin bright white head that quickly died down, leaving a bit of lacing and a ring of bubbles around the edge of the glass.
S: There are faint aromas of grain and adjuncts in the nose.
T: The taste has moderate flavors of grains and rice; a slight amount of bitterness is present in the aftertaste.
M: It feels light-bodied, clean and crisp on the palate with a moderate amount of carbonation; the finish is rather dry. The malts help prevent the light body from feeling watery.
D: The beer is very drinkable, although there's nothing interesting about the taste that would make me want to try another.
Mar 11, 2011
2.91/5 rDev +0.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3
A: The beer is crystal clear straw yellow in color and has a light amount of visible carbonation. It poured with a thin bright white head that quickly died down, leaving a bit of lacing and a ring of bubbles around the edge of the glass.
S: There are faint aromas of grain and adjuncts in the nose.
T: The taste has moderate flavors of grains and rice; a slight amount of bitterness is present in the aftertaste.
M: It feels light-bodied, clean and crisp on the palate with a moderate amount of carbonation; the finish is rather dry. The malts help prevent the light body from feeling watery.
D: The beer is very drinkable, although there's nothing interesting about the taste that would make me want to try another.
Mar 11, 2011
BigDaddyWarbuxx from Iowa
3.79/5 rDev +31.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
A very mild beer. Mass-produced low-flavor beers like this tend to over-do it on the carbonation which can lead to a harshness, but this one finds a good level. The strongest characteristic is a bit of a sweetness that compliments the malt. Unassuming, but plenty drinkable.
Oct 15, 2015
3.79/5 rDev +31.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
A very mild beer. Mass-produced low-flavor beers like this tend to over-do it on the carbonation which can lead to a harshness, but this one finds a good level. The strongest characteristic is a bit of a sweetness that compliments the malt. Unassuming, but plenty drinkable.
Oct 15, 2015
TastyTaste from Minnesota
1.58/5 rDev -45.3%
look: 2 | smell: 1.5 | taste: 1.5 | feel: 2 | overall: 1.5
Appearance: Clear gold color, not a lot of long-lasting head. A lot of bubbles make their way to the surface.
Smell: About as adjuncty and grainy as you can get, pretty bad.
Taste: Very bland, the rice addition is obvious and annoying. The flavor that is present is pretty bad, grainy and stale tasting. Pass.
Drinkability: Not too good, an unatractive and forgettable beer. Not worth the time, money, or effort.
Feb 17, 2006
1.58/5 rDev -45.3%
look: 2 | smell: 1.5 | taste: 1.5 | feel: 2 | overall: 1.5
Appearance: Clear gold color, not a lot of long-lasting head. A lot of bubbles make their way to the surface.
Smell: About as adjuncty and grainy as you can get, pretty bad.
Taste: Very bland, the rice addition is obvious and annoying. The flavor that is present is pretty bad, grainy and stale tasting. Pass.
Drinkability: Not too good, an unatractive and forgettable beer. Not worth the time, money, or effort.
Feb 17, 2006
DefenCorps from Oregon
2.77/5 rDev -4.2%
look: 3 | smell: 2.75 | taste: 2.75 | feel: 2.75 | overall: 2.75
From a can
A clear gold with a dense, white head that falls off to a ring slowly, this looks great! The nose is rather inoffensive. A mildly sweet, faintly hoppy, lemony character is present with some polished rice. Clean. The palate opens crisp if a bit watery, spritzy, a little lemony, a little earthy. No off-flavors. A little watery on the finish, but still quenching. Among the better pale lagers out there.Solid.
Mar 14, 2015
2.77/5 rDev -4.2%
look: 3 | smell: 2.75 | taste: 2.75 | feel: 2.75 | overall: 2.75
From a can
A clear gold with a dense, white head that falls off to a ring slowly, this looks great! The nose is rather inoffensive. A mildly sweet, faintly hoppy, lemony character is present with some polished rice. Clean. The palate opens crisp if a bit watery, spritzy, a little lemony, a little earthy. No off-flavors. A little watery on the finish, but still quenching. Among the better pale lagers out there.Solid.
Mar 14, 2015
stan66
3.84/5 rDev +32.9%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 4
Nice golden color pured on my glass. Medium white head that dissipates quickly. It has a barly malt smell with little hop presence. Taste is nice with good balance. I enjoyed this beer as any good lager. It has good aftertaste and it is refreshing. Really good.
Apr 25, 2012
3.84/5 rDev +32.9%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 4
Nice golden color pured on my glass. Medium white head that dissipates quickly. It has a barly malt smell with little hop presence. Taste is nice with good balance. I enjoyed this beer as any good lager. It has good aftertaste and it is refreshing. Really good.
Apr 25, 2012
Eziel from Ohio
3.25/5 rDev +12.5%
look: 3.25 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.25
Jun 12, 2015
3.25/5 rDev +12.5%
look: 3.25 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.25
Jun 12, 2015
Nyg from New York
3.81/5 rDev +31.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
This is my second favorite to Ashahi for Japanese beer
Jul 16, 2015
3.81/5 rDev +31.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
This is my second favorite to Ashahi for Japanese beer
Jul 16, 2015
benjaminsa from Vermont
3.24/5 rDev +12.1%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.25
Dec 25, 2020
3.24/5 rDev +12.1%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.25
Dec 25, 2020
NeroFiddled from Pennsylvania
3.42/5 rDev +18.3%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5
The sculpted silver can is a beautiful marketing tool for Sapporo. It looks great, it's reminiscent of a keg, looks modern (actually, iit's quite like a lot of Japanese architecture), and fits nicely in your hand. Beyond that, the beer is pretty average. The sample I had was brewed in Guelph, Ontario Canada (I'll assume under contract through Sleeman). It was clean in the nose and mouth, and offered a delicate combination of softly grainy malt and diffused floral and spicy hops. All the way through it was smooth and round and very well-balanced... just lacking in any character that would make it stand out from the pack. In fact, if there's any negative to this beer it's that the crystal-clear straw-gold body lacked anything more than a short-lived creamy head of bright white. Overall, no flaws but no sparkling moments either.
Apr 14, 2007
3.42/5 rDev +18.3%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5
The sculpted silver can is a beautiful marketing tool for Sapporo. It looks great, it's reminiscent of a keg, looks modern (actually, iit's quite like a lot of Japanese architecture), and fits nicely in your hand. Beyond that, the beer is pretty average. The sample I had was brewed in Guelph, Ontario Canada (I'll assume under contract through Sleeman). It was clean in the nose and mouth, and offered a delicate combination of softly grainy malt and diffused floral and spicy hops. All the way through it was smooth and round and very well-balanced... just lacking in any character that would make it stand out from the pack. In fact, if there's any negative to this beer it's that the crystal-clear straw-gold body lacked anything more than a short-lived creamy head of bright white. Overall, no flaws but no sparkling moments either.
Apr 14, 2007
Sapporo Premium Beer from Sapporo Breweries Ltd.
Beer rating:
67 out of
100 with
2392 ratings
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