Sapporo Kaitakushi Beer Brewery (札幌開拓史麦酒), the origin of beer revived in the present age after about 140 years. It is brewed exclusively available at the brewery or the Sapporo Beer Museum. Besides, Susukino Brewery (薄野地麦酒) is particular about water, raw materials, and manufacturing method. There are 10 craft beers from two breweries that are famous and tasty.
Table of Contents
Sapporo Kaitakushi Beer Brewery (札幌開拓史麦酒)
Sapporo Kaitakushi Beer Brewery is a brewery in the Sapporo Factory. It has produced beer since 1876. At the brewery (brick building), you can see the exhibits of materials and tools related to the history of Sapporo Breweries.
Brewery: (株)札幌開拓使麦酒醸造所
Address: 4 Chome-1 Kita 2 Johigashi, Chuo Ward, Sapporo, Hokkaido 060-0032
Contact: +8111 207 5959Official Website: Japanese only [Click Here]
Types of Craft Beer
5 craft beers from Sapporo Kaitakushi Beer Brewery.
Kaitakushi Beer 開拓使麦酒 ろ過
It brews with the old Sapporo Kaitakushi Beer Brewery method, ingredients from Hokkaido (malt from Okhotsk and Furano, hop from Furano).
| Type | German Beer | ABV | 5% |
| Body | Soft | Yeast Fermentation | Bottom |
| Beer Style | Pilsner/ Pale Lager | Brewery | Sapporo Kaitakushi Beer Brewery |
| State | Hokkaido | Country | Japan |
Kaitakushi Beer Unfiltered 開拓使麦酒 無ろ過
It uses malt from Okhotsk, Furano, and hops from Furano. It features a malty and bitter taste.
| Type | German Beer | ABV | 5% |
| Body | Soft | Yeast Fermentation | Bottom |
| Beer Style | Pilsner/ Pale Lager | Brewery | Sapporo Kaitakushi Beer Brewery |
| State | Hokkaido | Country | Japan |
Kaitakushi Beer Alt アルト
A reddish-brown top-fermented beer is reminiscent of the color of bricks. It has a mellow and refreshing taste.
| Type | German Beer | ABV | 5% |
| Body | Soft | Yeast Fermentation | Top |
| Beer Style | Altbier/ Ale | Brewery | Sapporo Kaitakushi Beer Brewery |
| State | Hokkaido | Country | Japan |
Seasonal Beer 季節限定ビール
There are unique seasonal beers only available in the season.
Kaitakushi Beer Premium クラシック
It was created in 1985 and sold exclusively in Hokkaido. Particular to ingredients and manufacturing methods. It uses 100% malt without any auxiliary ingredients and fine aroma hops.
| Type | German Beer | ABV | 5.5% |
| Body | Soft | Yeast Fermentation | Bottom |
| Beer Style | Pilsner/ Pale Lager | Brewery | Sapporo Brewery’s Hokkaido Factory (サッポロビール北海道工場で製造) |
| State | Hokkaido | Country | Japan |
Susukino Brewery (薄野地麦酒)
Susukino Brewery brews mineral-rich craft beer guided by German Braumeister (ブラウマイスター). It uses mainly ingredients from Germany, such as yeast for bottom fermentation. Also, it brews with anionic water and deep seawater from Kumaishi, Hokkaido.
Brewery: 薄野地麦酒株式会社
Address: 4 Chome-1-5 Minami 6 Jonishi, Chuo Ward, Sapporo, Hokkaido 064-0806
Contact: +8111 563 1100
Official Website: Japanese only [Click Here]
Types of Craft Beer
5 craft beers from Sapporo Susukino Brewery.
Susukino Beer Pilsner ススキノビール ピルスナー
Susukino Beer Pilsner received the Bronze Award at World Beer Awards 2000. It tastes light, refreshing, and moderate hop bitterness.
| Type | German Beer | ABV | 5% |
| Body | Soft | Yeast Fermentation | Bottom |
| Beer Style | Pilsner/ Pale Lager | Brewery | Sapporo Susukino Brewery |
| State | Hokkaido | Country | Japan |
Susukino Beer Märzen ススキノビール メルツェン
Susukino Beer Märze received the Silver Award at World Beer Awards 2000. It’s a medium-dark lager beer with a rich hop aroma and malt aroma.
| Type | German Beer | ABV | 5% |
| Body | Soft | Yeast Fermentation | Bottom |
| Beer Style | Marzen/ Dark Lager | Brewery | Sapporo Susukino Brewery |
| State | Hokkaido | Country | Japan |
Yubari Coal Beer Black Beer 夕張石炭ビール 黒ビール
It’s a black beer inspired by the coal color created by the Yubari Coal Museum. A rich and bitter-tasting lager beer made by blending several types of roasted malt and adding bitter hops and aroma hops.
| Type | German Beer | ABV | 5% |
| Body | Soft | Yeast Fermentation | Bottom |
| Beer Style | Schwarzbier/ Dark Lager | Brewery | Sapporo Susukino Brewery |
| State | Hokkaido | Country | Japan |
Susukino Beer Pilsner (Can) ススキノビール ピルスナー/缶
Susukino Beer Pilsner in a can version.
| Type | German Beer | ABV | 5% |
| Body | Soft | Yeast Fermentation | Bottom |
| Beer Style | Pilsner/ Pale Lager | Brewery | Sapporo Susukino Brewery |
| State | Hokkaido | Country | Japan |
Niku Beer 肉ビール
Niku Beer is a lager beer that has a light taste and a pleasant bitterness of hops. It was officially recognized by Hokkaido Nikuson President that it goes well with meat.
Who is Hokkaido Nikuson President?
Hokkaido Nikuson President is a company named after the president of the United States, Nikuson. It produces processed products and goods with Hokkaido meat.
| Type | Hokkaido Bee | ABV | 5% |
| Body | Soft | Yeast Fermentation | Bottom |
| Beer Style | Pilsner/ Pale Lager | Brewery | Sapporo Susukino Brewery |
| State | Hokkaido | Country | Japan |
Conclusion
The pilsner beers from Sapporo Kaitakushi Beer Brewery have a profound and solid taste and are always available. Therefore, I would recommend pay attention to seasonal special flavors such as Oyster Black (オイスターブラック) produced with oysters.
In this text, my favorite one is Yubari Coal Beer Black Beer (夕張石炭ビール 黒ビール). The mild roasted malt character and well-balanced aroma and bitterness are the reasons.
Want to know more Japan craft beers and breweries in Hokkaido? Click here>>
