Sapporo Draft Beer
Wednesday, July 21st, 2010
Sapporo, Japans answer to the well-known lager.
Before I continue I would like to make it clear that this review is based on the imported Sapporo Draft beer and not the brewed under license alternative that comes from Canada. Sapporo is said to be ‘Japan’s oldest brand’ with its beginnings being traced back to 1876 when the Kaitakushi Brewery was founded and Sapporo was the first Bavarian-style brewing company in Japan The company now has five breweries located in Japan along with the Sleeman brewery in Ontario, Canada. Unfortunately, the majority of Australia’s Sapporo now comes from the Sleeman brewery in Canada and still all this while it is being dubbed as ‘Japan’s premium beer’. This rice lager is made with the use of two-row barley that was specifically developed by the company itself. Two-row barley has a lower protein content to that of traditional barley and therefore has a higher fermentable sugar content making it more suited to this brew. Sapporo Draft pours a decent white fluffy head that is short lasting and it also leaves a small amount of lacing on the glass. It’s appearance is a clear Straw yellow colour and it has plenty of carbonation with bubbles collecting around the head of the glass. The aroma is dull and subdued but there is a slight sweet malt smell to it that can be discovered with further inspection. Sapporo Draft is easy to drink with a smooth, crisp and refreshing taste but there’s not a lot more to it, taste wise. It would make for a good thirst quencher, possibly after a hard day of cleaning the home or the like. Delicate citrus flavours are evident but unfortunately the high carbonation conceals a lot of the taste.
Sapporo may well be Japan’s oldest brand, but unfortunately, time has not made this brew an exceptional lager. While it may be appealing to some, others will be left expecting something more from these Japanese Brewers.
Rating (out of five):
Category : Beer Reviews, Lager