Sapporo - Premium Lager

This is the big one, this is the one that I would imagine is the most widely recognised Japanese beer out there. Asahi and Kirin Ichiban are massive as well but neither of those own their own brewery in the states, neither of those get seemingly consistent product placement spots in American TV shows. Though Asahi heads the sales tables in Japan, as far as the rest of the world is concerned Sapporo is the big dog of Japanese beer.

It's easy to see why people like it, it has a smooth but slightly burnt treacle smell and a biscuit crispness that is in line with its competitor Kirin Ichiban. It is as smooth and as refreshing as any other beer from Japan and has similar character though it does miss a little of that aftershock that Kirin has but that can work either for or against it. I can see people going for the single dimensional sweetness with the biscuit undertones and only very soft bitterness but I'm not entirely sure what the Japanese market wants from its beer. From what I've seen it seems that they love their lagers and they love using rice, both of which make complete sense for where they are and what they've historically been used to.

Like Asahi and Kirin Ichiban, Sapporo is a mild, smooth, sweet, likeable lager that generally only works on the one level but that seems to be what they're intended for, which is fine. Supreme refreshment can be found from the Japan 3 (as I will now call them,) which one you prefer is entirely up to the subtlety of your palate and the strength of your sweet tooth.

Food Suggestion: Old school pub snacks like crisps and pork scratchings though, if you're feeling fancy, then some wasabi peas wouldn't be completely out of the question.

Drink this if you like: Asahi or Kirin Ichiban... It's the Japan 3, yo!