Sapporo Premium is Japan’s oldest beer brand and the silver can is a fixture in sushi restaurants for good reason. It is a rice lager in the classic Japanese style: dry, crisp and refreshing, with a clean bitterness that makes it a natural partner for food. It drinks a cut above the average macro lager, and this review explains why, along with the stats and where to buy it.
Sapporo Premium at a glance
| Style | Japanese rice lager |
| ABV | 4.9% |
| Calories | About 140 per 12 fl oz |
| Carbs | About 10.5g per 12 fl oz |
| Origin | Sapporo Breweries, Japan (brewed for the US market in North America) |
| Ingredients | Water, malted barley, rice, hops, yeast |
| Vegan | Yes |
| Gluten free | No, it is brewed from barley |
| Typical price | Around $9 to $12 for a 6-pack in the US. Check the button for live pricing |
How it tastes, by the numbers
Sapporo leans dry and crisp, with a slightly firmer bitterness than the American light lagers and just enough malt to keep it balanced.
The full review
It pours pale gold and brilliantly clear with a clean white head. The aroma is delicate: light grain, a touch of rice, and a faint noble-hop crispness. It smells fresh and precise rather than sweet.
The first thing you notice is how dry and clean it is. Sapporo is all about crispness. The rice keeps the body light while a firm, slightly herbal hop bitterness gives it more snap than a Bud Light or Coors Light. The finish is quick, dry and refreshing with no lingering sweetness.
That dryness is exactly what makes it such a good food beer. It cuts through fatty, salty and umami-heavy dishes, which is why it works so well with sushi, ramen, yakitori and fried food. It is a beer built to refresh the palate between bites.
It is not a big or characterful beer, but it is a very well-made one. If you want the cleanest, driest, most refreshing macro-style lager on the shelf, Sapporo is hard to beat, and the iconic silver can is a nice touch.
The dry, clean lager that makes every bite taste better.
- Exceptionally clean, dry and crisp
- Firmer, more satisfying bitterness than US light lagers
- One of the best food-pairing lagers you can buy
- Iconic, well-made and widely available
- Light on malt and body
- Not much aroma to explore
- Usually pricier than domestic macros
Who it is for
Anyone who wants a crisp, dry lager to drink with food, especially Asian cuisine. If you like Sapporo, try Asahi Super Dry or a classic Czech pilsner like Pilsner Urquell.
Sapporo Premium FAQs
What does Sapporo Premium taste like?
Dry, clean and very crisp, with light grain, a touch of rice and a firm, slightly herbal hop bitterness. It finishes fast and refreshing.
Is Sapporo a rice lager?
Yes. Like many Japanese lagers it uses rice alongside barley malt, which gives it its light body and dry, crisp finish.
How strong is Sapporo Premium?
It is 4.9% ABV, standard strength for a lager.
How many calories are in Sapporo?
Around 140 calories per 12 fl oz, with roughly 10.5g of carbs.
Is Sapporo brewed in Japan?
The brand is Japanese and the oldest in Japan, but Sapporo sold in the US is largely brewed in North America for the US market.
Is Sapporo vegan?
Yes. It is made from water, malted barley, rice, hops and yeast with no animal products.
Is Sapporo gluten free?
No. It is brewed from barley and contains gluten.
What food goes with Sapporo?
Its dry crispness makes it excellent with sushi, ramen, yakitori, dumplings and fried food.
Where to buy Sapporo Premium
Sapporo Premium is widely stocked, especially near Asian food, and you can have it delivered. Use the button above to check the current price.
The verdict
Sapporo Premium is a genuinely good rice lager: dry, clean, crisp and a superb match for food. It is light on body and short on aroma, but as a refreshing, well-made lager it comfortably beats the average American macro. A solid three point eight out of five. Find more crisp lagers in our beer reviews and guides.
If you are still deciding what to drink, our lager beer brands guide ranks every one we have reviewed.
See where Sapporo Premium lands against its rivals in our Japanese rice lager guide guide.
FAQs
What kind of beer is Sapporo Premium?
Sapporo Premium is a Japanese rice lager, at 4.9% ABV.
How much alcohol is in Sapporo Premium?
Sapporo Premium has an ABV of 4.9%.
How many calories are in Sapporo Premium?
Sapporo Premium has About 140 per 12 fl oz, based on the brewery’s published nutrition information.
Is Sapporo Premium gluten free?
Sapporo Premium: No, it is brewed from barley.
Does Sapporo Premium have carbs?
Yes, Sapporo Premium has About 10.5g per 12 fl oz. If you’re watching carbs, see our guide to the best low-carb beers.
How can I make Sapporo Premium taste better?
Serve it at the right temperature and in the right glass (see below), or use it as the base for a beer cocktail. Our beer cocktails guide has recipes worth trying.
What is a good alternative to Sapporo Premium?
If you can’t find Sapporo Premium, Asahi Super Dry is a close alternative in the same Japanese rice lager category.
How much does Sapporo Premium cost?
Sapporo Premium typically runs Around $9 to $12 for a 6-pack in the US. Check the button for live pricing. Check current pricing and availability through the buy link above.
How do I open Sapporo Premium without a bottle opener?
A lighter, a sturdy key, a spoon, or the edge of a table all work in a pinch. See our full guide on opening a beer without a bottle opener for 8 methods that actually work.
What glass should I use for Sapporo Premium?
A standard pint or tulip glass works well for a Japanese rice lager like Sapporo Premium. See our beer glassware guide for style-by-style recommendations.
