Sapporo Classic

Sapporo Classic is Hokkaido's hometown beer — an all-malt lager that Sapporo Breweries launched in June 1985 exclusively for Japan's northern island and has kept regional ever since. The scarcity is the point: you generally have to go to Hokkaido to drink it, which has made a can of Classic both a local staple and one of Japan's favorite travel souvenirs.

Unlike many mainstream Japanese lagers, Classic is brewed from 100 percent malt with no rice or corn adjuncts, using fine aroma hops, and it incorporates some Hokkaido-grown barley and hops. The beer was designed around the island itself — its cold climate and its rich food, from grilled lamb to miso ramen — and pours at a straightforward 5 percent ABV.

Four decades after launch — it marked its 40th anniversary in 2025 — Classic remains a fixture of Hokkaido supermarkets, convenience stores, and izakaya, and a case study in how staying local can build a brand: fans across Japan order it online or carry it home from Sapporo by the boxful.

A rich-for-the-style all-malt lager: rounded bready malt up front, a smooth medium body, and a crisp hop bite that keeps it refreshing alongside Hokkaido's hearty cooking.