Beer Review of Sapporo Reserve

Size: 16 ounce bottles and 22 ounce cans

Availability: Many bars and distributors

APV: 5.0%

Website: http://www.sapporousa.com/beer/reserve

Sapporo USA imports a variety of Japanese style beers, with Sapporo Reserve being one of their primary imports. This brand of beer is popular in Japanese restaurants and sushi bars around the world. Unlike many other beers, Sapporo is bottled in larger bottles and cans than most other beers. The 16 ounce standard as a pint is popular since it allows bars and restaurants to serve a pint of Sapporo without having it on tap.

Once poured, Reserve has a slightly darker color and hue than regular Sapporo; the body is mostly brownish amber in color with the head being surprisingly foamy and thick in texture. This is a surprise because the foamy head appears to be very thin, but the first sip proves otherwise.

The first sip comes across as slightly creamy, almost like a Japanese version of Guinness. Some might find it to almost be milky in texture at the top of the drink with a slight beer flavor coming in as the head bubbles away.

As you drink this beer, you're reminded more of a stout style beer than a traditional beer; however Sapporo Reserve's primary difference over regular Sapporo is its hoppiness. Many servers and beer reviewers will cite extra hops as the primary difference between Regular and Reserve.

The drink's texture is very smooth and creamy throughout with hoppiness coming into the mix every so often. One expects a very hoppy and even bitter taste but this is not the case with Reserve.

In comparison to Sapporo Premium (which is the regular), Reserve has slightly more alcohol per volume, although it is a very small difference. In fact pricing of Premium vs Regular is nearly the same on menus due to the similarities between the two brews.

Overall Sapporo Reserve is a satisfying beer to enjoy with any Japanese meals. Its creamy texture is a surprise but offers an excellent flavor to go alongside many types of seafood. Pairing Reserve with a spicy tuna dish or really any spicy Japanese dish is a good choice as the creamy flavor helps to tame the hotness and spiciness.

It can also be a good after dinner beer as it has a thicker taste and texture than Sapporo Premium; it tastes less like beer and could almost pass as a dessert beer for some beer drinkers.