Sapporo Premium Beer - Sapporo Breweries Ltd.

kristenspaintings

California

3.09/5  rDev +8%
look: 3.25 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.25

This Japanese brewer makes a pretty decent beer. Though I don't know exactly what a rice lager is supposed to taste like, I have to say Sapporo is a pretty drinkable beer and I'd order it in a Japanese restaurant if I wasn't in the mood for tea.

I think the hop taste is a litter more than I prefer, but it's otherwise clean and refreshing with a lot of carbonation.

I won't go out of my way for this beer but it's not a poor choice either in my opinion.

Serving type: can

05-05-2013 23:15:48 | More by kristenspaintings

Bear1964

Nebraska

3.13/5  rDev +9.4%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.5

Poured from the 22 oz can into a pint glass, nice golden pour with a 1 1/2 finger white head. The smell is as you would expect with this style, crisp and clean with a little malt coming out. Taste is again crisp and clean and would really go with sushi, miso soup, pho or any Asian food fair....because you need to be able to taste the food. This beer is doing what it's supposed to do, I like it for a Japanese Lager.

Serving type: can

03-10-2013 20:47:24 | More by Bear1964

pcguitarwzrd

Florida

2.95/5  rDev +3.1%
look: 3 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

A: Very clear, pale gold, highly carbonated, fizzy white head.

S: not much of an aroma, a little pale malt and maybe a hint of rice.

T: Very mild, unassuming, pale malt and rice but none of the cloying corn-syrup character that American adjuncts tend to have. This is not a bold flavor but rather a subtle one. Highly refreshing though and perfect with a meal.

M: Very light and carbonated, with a super-dry finish.

O: Ok people, lets not hate on premium on principle. It can be done wrong, but it can also be done right just like everything else, and personally I think this is one of the better ones.

Serving type: can

02-10-2013 19:31:08 | More by pcguitarwzrd

Lantern

North Carolina

1.46/5  rDev -49%
look: 2 | smell: 1.25 | taste: 1.25 | feel: 2 | overall: 1.75

Had this at a local Japanese restaurant. Poured from a can.

A- Looked and poured like it's cousin, the American Adjunct. No surprise here. Yellowy/strawish/pale in color with a decent foamy head and a bit of lacing that dried quickly.

S- Not a lot going on here. What little aroma is there smells only of rice/corn.

T- Dull corn/rice again, with a hint of that urine taste that I love to hate. Tastes pretty foul.

M- Thin, moderately carbonated. Goes down easy assuming you can stand the taste.

O- I got what I expected from this beer. I'd never had it, but I could have told you pretty much what it was gonna be like beforehand. Boring, what little taste is there is foul, etc, etc... One of the reasons people think beer is nasty. Didn't even finish the can.

Serving type: can

01-29-2013 14:32:04 | More by Lantern

SometimesIfart

Michigan

2.16/5  rDev -24.5%
look: 2 | smell: 2 | taste: 2.25 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2

A - Drank from the can so I don't know.

S - Lots of rice, some sour sour grain, a bit of corn.

T - Virtually the same as the nose. Lots and lots of rice, A small amount of corn, Slightly sour grain and a somewhat bitter finish.

M - Medium bodied with medium carbonation.

O - Overall, It was virtually the same as it's American counterparts. Wasn't worth the $4 for the aluminum bomber.

Serving type: can

01-19-2013 21:32:25 | More by SometimesIfart

GossageBrewery

Missouri

1.63/5  rDev -43%
look: 3 | smell: 1.5 | taste: 1.5 | feel: 1.5 | overall: 1.75

Poured this Japanese Rice Lager from a can into a pint glass. Poured a light straw color, Produced a thick white head, retention was average and it did leave some lacing on the glass. The aroma is weak, containing some hints of grain and grassy hops. Light in body, a base of grain and some light hops. This is basically a typical macro brewed lager, says its from Japan but it is brewed up north in Canada. Overall, the flavor was typical of a mass produced lager, as the brew warmed it went south quickly. Poor.

Serving type: can

01-15-2013 15:32:17 | More by GossageBrewery

beergoot

Colorado

3.5/5  rDev +22.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Pale yellow body with a thick, creamy white head. Bright, light grain aroma. Very light malt flavor with a complementary soft bitterness; some faint alcohol notes (perhaps due to the overall lightness of this beer). Very light body, clean, dry finish.

Seems like a decent enough beer for the style. Delicate in nature but smooth and easy drinking. Not necessarily my personal preference for an everyday beer, but for someone looking for an easy going, non-complex beer, this one would do nicely.

Serving type: can

12-29-2012 23:09:01 | More by beergoot

merc7186

New York

2.6/5  rDev -9.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2 | overall: 2.5

22oz can poured into a pint glass (then sink)

A: Clear Golden Straw Hue, Passes All Light, White Head, Minimal Lacing

S: Corn, Mild Grassy

T: Rice, Mild Corn

M: Decent Carbonation, Light to Medium Bodied, Watery, Mildly Bitter

Overall, a drank this strictly for the style tick, if I am a Japanese place and this was my only choice, Ill get a Pepsi.

Serving type: can

12-16-2012 17:46:02 | More by merc7186

SLeffler27

New York

3/5  rDev +4.9%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Clear, golden straw in a pilsner glass with a thin white head that quickly dissipates and occasional carbonation. There is a slight lacing.

Clean, fresh-cut wet straw that is unoffending, but lacking much character.

Crisp and clean up front, with a light balanced bitterness and sweetness. The finish is lingering and unwelcome in this otherwise characterless beer.

Light to medium body and highly carbonated with no alcohol. Some light astringency and a watery texture.

This beer is as expected, rather anonymous. It does quench one’s thirst and makes a decent lawnmower beer. There is no compelling reason for me to have another.

Serving type: can

11-25-2012 21:31:21 | More by SLeffler27

Theheroguy

Maryland

2.73/5  rDev -4.5%
look: 2 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3

Very pale (almost sickly pale) with a very foamy head.

Decent carbonation

Incredibly bland flavor profile.

I found this to be very drinkable and perfectly suited for its niche ( to be paired with japanese food)

This is clean and crisp. Not an amazing craft beer but not an offensive lager either.

Serving type: can

10-30-2012 21:29:11 | More by Theheroguy

gabedivision

New York

2.6/5  rDev -9.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 2.5

Poured from big boy can to a glass.

Ah,sushi and sapporo match made in heaven. Pours a light straw yellow, crystal clear with a fluffy white soapy head. Smells of cooked grains, boiled soap, hint of lemon. Grainy on the tongue, soapy, hint of lemon, and metallic. Light bodied, stale. Big adjunct taste smell and feel, also a big aluminum taste form the can, very basic standard beer, not my cup o tea.

Serving type: can

08-31-2012 02:25:51 | More by gabedivision

JamesMN

Minnesota

2.73/5  rDev -4.5%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 2.5

Interestingly shaped can. Even though it's a Japanese beer it says right on the can "Brewed and Canned in Ontario, Canada." Anyway, on to the review.

Appearance: Translucent straw color. Almost no visible carbonation besides a soapy white head that's slowly fizzling away.

Aroma: I can smell the rice straight off but it's actually not too bad of an aroma. Basically smells like a BudLight minus the skunk.

Taste: Pretty watery upfront and then the palate is overtaken by a metallic taste (maybe from the can?) that sort of de-rails the flavor and leaves you feeling like your sucking on a penny. There is a moment in the middle where you can taste the rice and it's a pleasing flavor. No hops or malt profile in this one. It would be totally refreshing if not for the off taste at the end.

Mouthfeel: Thin but not overly so. High drinkability.

Final Thoughts: As far as macro-lagers and "imported" Adjunct Lagers go, it's not the best and it's not the worst. But I'm not sure that any beer can excel given the limited use of hops and real malts. The odd shaped can is about the only appealing thing about this beer.

Serving type: can

08-22-2012 04:08:24 | More by JamesMN

Immortale25

Florida

2.88/5  rDev +0.7%
look: 3 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 2.75

Poured into a pint glass. No readable freshness date.

A- Completely clear light gold color with a 1/2 inch white fizzy head that actually has decent retention time before resting at a thick ring around the edge of the glass and a solid sheet of surface foam. Lacing is nearly nonexistent.

S- Semi-stale bread with a twinge of alcohol.

T- Super light and extremely neutral. Faint wet cardboard but mostly just a clean, watery taste that goes down as such.

M- Crisp, very thin and a bit dry. Medium carbonation and a light, light body.

O- So it's not that interesting to drink...but it's beer and it doesn't taste bad as far as light lagers go. As far as a cheap, quaffable brew to drink in the heat goes, it's one of the best in my book. Certainly still my favorite Asian beer, and I've tried many.

Serving type: can

08-09-2012 01:04:17 | More by Immortale25

BlurryVisi0n

New York

3.23/5  rDev +12.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Served in a nonic pint glass.

Appearance: Has your classic lager look, clear gold light bubbles on the body with a white head maybe 1/4" off the body.

Smell: You smell light hops, not to impressive.

Taste: light hops and bitter but not too much that it will make you drink a little more.

Mouth: Definitely medium heavy, and sharply smooth.

Overall: good beer, but don't expect a lot. It is comparable to other lagers and honesty it's uniqueness is why I praise it. It does hit you quick though an average ABV, this cold right after a meal is greatly appreciated. Salud.

Serving type: can

07-30-2012 21:46:04 | More by BlurryVisi0n

kangarooAdam59

Pennsylvania

3.06/5  rDev +7%
look: 3.25 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

For my first Japanese Rice Lager, I decided to purchase what I could find.

In my pilsener:

A: light clear yellow body that leaves a soft foamy white two finger head appears that lasts for a good minute. Spotty and foamy lacing embraces the sides of the glass. Light carbonation is seen slowly rising.

S: corn/adjuncts up front with some rice as the beer warms.

T: decent mixture between the corn/adjuncts, rice and hops leaving a sort of slight bitterness in the taste.

M: light to medium, pretty watery, nothing harsh on the tongue

O: hmmm..., not sure what to say other than it does remind me a lot like AAL's (not as much flavor and lack of interesting aspects to it). I think before I go any further, I'd like to try some other Jappanese Rice Lagers.

Serving type: can

07-14-2012 13:37:51 | More by kangarooAdam59

shand

Florida

2.38/5  rDev -16.8%
look: 4 | smell: 2 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2

Poured from a 22oz can into an imperial pint.

Gotta tick even the awful styles! I've gotta say, the can this beer is packaged in is rather attractive. It's a nice, thick shaped can that just feels substantial. I'm not reviewing the can though. This beer pours out a clear golden color, with large carbonation bubbles apparent. The head is two fingers, and retains fairly nicely. Appearance is a large part of mainstream Japanese beer culture, so I'm not surprised this at least looks good. The aroma is grainy and adjunct laden. Very generic. The taste is very light and clean. There's a tiny bit of hops on the finish that keep it from being a complete waste. The finish is kinda awkward, it's both coating and drying, it makes you want to drink more.

The mouthfeel is light and crisp, but with that strange fullness on the finish I mentioned earlier. The drinkability is solid. Overall, this is really just the Budweiser of Japan. The can is the most outstanding part about this beer. It's not BAD, so I'm not going below a 2. It's just thoroughly below average.

Serving type: can

06-17-2012 05:40:40 | More by shand

leaddog

Alberta (Canada)

3.4/5  rDev +18.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Appearance - Pours a pale straw with a finger of foamy white head, which dissipates quickly.

Smell - Apples, bready malts, light rice, grains.

Taste - Light bready malt and rice flavours. Very mild hops. Not as sweet as the initial aroma would suggest. Light bitterness in the finish.

Mouthfeel - Light-to-medium bodied with moderate carbonation. A little on the watery side.

Overall - An interesting lager by Sapporo. There are some nice different flavours in comparison with its cousin, the American adjunct lager. Beats out other adjuncts by avoiding over-the-top corn sweetness. Could see this as being a potential session candidate.

Serving type: can

06-04-2012 03:48:38 | More by leaddog

MortarPestle

Indiana

2.73/5  rDev -4.5%
look: 4 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Appearance: Pours a crystal clear straw color with a nice foamy head that stays around for a few minutes than virtually disappears with no appreciable lacing.
Aroma: Not much here, maybe a little hops and grass
Taste: More of the same here, no off flavors but nothing to excite you either. A little sweet fruit, grassy hops, and malt.
Texture: Crisp and light from carbonation
Drinkability: Mass produced taste, not bad, wouldn't seek out but would grab in place of many others.
Notes: A few sips from the can than poured into a Pilsener Glass.

Serving type: can

05-04-2012 01:39:27 | More by MortarPestle

RickS95

Indiana

2.45/5  rDev -14.3%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 2 | feel: 2 | overall: 2

Looks like piss water. Pale straw color and almost completely clear. Thick, white, fluffy head with good lacing.

Better smell than look. Flowery, fruity, grainy nose, almost yeasty biscuit-like.

Typical crappy lager-like lack of flavor, tastes like dirt must taste.

Little to no feel, mostly just a combination of sour and bitter.

Tastes like a shitty American macro, wish I hadn't picked up the 22-ounce can.

Serving type: can

04-16-2012 21:20:17 | More by RickS95

Rifugium

Pennsylvania

1.35/5  rDev -52.8%
look: 1.5 | smell: 1 | taste: 1.5 | feel: 1 | overall: 1.5

First had: ?

Ever notice that beers labeled as "premium" are almost always the exact opposite? Sapporo "Premium" pours from the can a golden-straw-yellow color, clear, with a fizzy white head. Aroma of grains, corn, skunk...pretty much adjunct lager. Taste is the same, grains, corn, malty sweetness, and vague yeastiness. Light body, thin, unnecessary, undrinkable. Yet strangely still better than Bud or Old E.

Serving type: can

04-15-2012 08:23:36 | More by Rifugium

dbrauneis

New Jersey

2.98/5  rDev +4.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3

A: Pours a crystal clear pale yellow in color with some moderate amounts of visible carbonation. The beer has a two finger tall fluffy white head that reduces to about 25% of the original size but remains throughout the beer. Moderate to significant lacing is observed.

S: Aromas of rice malts, adjunct malts (grain + corn), some slight hints of yeast, and just a touch of citrus/lemon. There is also a subtle grassy hops in the background.

T: The flavor follows the smell for this beer... lots of rice malts, adjunct malts (mostly grain with just a hint of corn), and very light hints of citrus. Also, there is a bitter aftertaste (but not like the bitterness that I normally associate with hops).

M: Just shy of medium bodied with moderate amounts of carbonation. The beer is slightly thin/watery with a dry finish.

O: Very easy to drink and actually pretty refreshing - pairs really well with the delicate flavors of sushi (this is my normal sushi restaurant beer).

Serving type: can

03-17-2012 22:44:14 | More by dbrauneis

herman77

Minnesota

2.95/5  rDev +3.1%
look: 2 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 2 | overall: 3.5

A: Straw pale yellow with a smaller white head. Okay lacing.

S: Clean and bland. A bit of hay and sweet grass. Grains and and ever so slight grassy hop presence.

T: Refreshing and crisp, but pretty neutral inoffensive flavors. Slight grain sweetness, cereal malts and a touch of hop bitterness.

M: Light body, high carbonation. Not my thing.

O: Very drinkable and pretty refreshing. Get this ever time I've gone to Ichiban.

Serving type: can

03-16-2012 22:57:05 | More by herman77

Brianhophead

Alberta (Canada)

2.68/5  rDev -6.3%
look: 4 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3

A- Sapporo is pale, and straw colored. Actually on the pale side of straw. Minimal carbonation supports a fluffy, bone white head with not bad retention.

S- Very clean smelling lager, almost to the point of bland. Aroma offers a bready, biscuity quality up front. In the middle comes an aroma reminding me of rice. Aroma finishes dry and slightly grainy. There's an overall quality to the nose that seems like a faint butteriness. Not enough to overpower, just enough to give a faint presence. No hop presence to speak of.

T- Sapporo's not quite as light bodied as I expected. Very smooth mouthfeel. What flavor there is seems to start in the center with notes of rice and a pleasant roundness. Finish is short and only slightly dry. finish gives me just a faint note of grains. Again, no hop presence to speak of.

Overall, not the worst thing I've ever had, but by far not the best. The best thing I can really say here is that it doesn't offer many off flavors to speak of. I think I'd recommend many other lagers before this.

Serving type: can

03-12-2012 22:40:26 | More by Brianhophead

frankiepop

Pennsylvania

2.15/5  rDev -24.8%
look: 2 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2

Bought this import at one of those corporate restaurants, this one being Huhot. Its not much different than an average American corporate style lager. It may remind of the usual Bud wesier. smell is a little better than a Bud or Miller, but the difference stops there. Same old average boring thin hoppy dry and a bit bitter taste.

I recommend that you listen to this beer some FM3, which is a Chinese electric duo. the good sound will up the weak flavors. Aso.

Serving type: can

03-10-2012 22:52:40 | More by frankiepop

Bendurgin

Maine

2.43/5  rDev -15%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 2 | feel: 3 | overall: 2

Served in a pilsner glass. This pours a slightly hazy golden color with two fingers of fluffy white head. Lots of tiny bubbles rising to the top. Real good retention on the head and some nice sticky lace.

Pretty nice grain bill in the aroma with a hint of lemon. Not offensive at all just not much to it. Seems to have a mild bitter hop finish. Light mellow flavors. It must be the rice but this has a rather sweet finish. Some mild bitter hops with some mellow grains.

The body is light with active carbonation. Overall, no real reason to drink this. There's pleanty of other bad beers that will cost less.

Serving type: can

02-21-2012 16:36:35 | More by Bendurgin