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Sapporo Breweries, one of Japan’s leading beer manufacturers
The company’s “Black Label” brand is now a highly popular beer that can be found in convenience stores and supermarkets throughout Japan.
Sapporo Beer was established in 1876 as the Kaitakushi Brewery in Sapporo, making it Japan’s oldest beer manufacturer.
This museum, which houses Japan’s oldest beer history, is located in Sapporo, Hokkaido.
Would you like to experience the “original taste from the founding era” while learning about Japanese beer history?
In this article, we’ll introduce you to the “Sapporo Beer Museum,” where you can see, hear, and taste history.
The Sapporo Beer Museum is a beer museum located in Sapporo, Hokkaido. It’s a facility where visitors can learn about Sapporo Beer’s history and Japanese beer culture, housed in a distinctive red brick building constructed in 1890. This building was originally a factory for the Sapporo Sugar Company but was converted into a museum in 1977 to share Sapporo Beer’s history.
The Sapporo Beer Museum offers free admission. Upon entering, take the elevator to the third floor to begin your tour.
One of the museum’s highlights is this enormous brewing kettle.
This massive vessel, called a wort pan in English, is used for boiling wort during the brewing process, a crucial step that significantly affects the beer’s taste and aroma. Adding hops during the boiling process gives beer its characteristic bitterness and fragrance.
The kettle on display was actually used in the Sapporo factory from 1965 to 2003, dating back to the early days of the factory.
With a diameter of 6.1m and a height of about 10m, this kettle is truly impressive. Its total weight of about 13.5t and capacity of 85kt give you an idea of its enormous scale. The tour starts on the third floor specifically to accommodate this massive brewing kettle. As you walk down the slope to the second floor, you can get a close-up view of this impressive kettle. To put its size in perspective, 85kt of beer is far more than what one person could drink in their entire lifetime.
The Sapporo Beer Museum not only displays documents and historical records but also features actual equipment used in the factory, making the tour even more engaging.
The second floor houses a gallery showcasing Sapporo Beer’s history.
Have you noticed the distinctive layout of Sapporo’s streets? They’re neatly organized in a grid pattern, similar to Kyoto.
This orderly layout exists because in 1869, the government established a national agency called “Kaitakushi” (Development Commission) to develop Hokkaido. (This was also when the region, previously known as “Ezochi,” was renamed “Hokkaido”)
During this period of urban development (including street planning and facility construction) and industrial reform, the idea of building a “beer factory” emerged.
Given this historical context, “Japanese beer history” and “Hokkaido’s development history” are inseparable. But haven’t you wondered why they chose beer? At that time, beer didn’t even exist in Japan.
Behind this decision were two key figures: one who became Japan’s first master brewer after enduring rigorous training in Germany, beer’s homeland, and another who persistently advocated that “if we’re building a beer factory, it must be in Hokkaido!”
You can learn about these fascinating stories of how Sapporo Beer’s predecessor, the “Kaitakushi Brewery,” was established in this gallery.
The exhibits help you understand both Hokkaido’s history and the birth of Japanese beer. With both documentary materials and video presentations, visitors can stay engaged throughout their tour.
While the gallery’s explanation panels are in Japanese, they can be read in other languages.
By scanning the QR codes displayed on the panels with your smartphone or tablet, you can read the explanations in languages other than Japanese.
Supported languages include English, Korean, and Chinese (Simplified).
Don’t worry if you don’t have a device - translation boards are installed next to each panel.
Beyond beer history, the museum displays Sapporo Beer’s logos and advertising posters from its founding era.
During the Meiji era, when Japanese people still predominantly wore traditional clothing rather than Western attire, the advertisements featured people in kimono, offering a glimpse into that period.
Located on the first floor, Star Hall is a restaurant where you can enjoy fresh beer directly from the brewery.
Star Hall offers the following beverages:
| Product Name | Price |
|---|---|
| Sapporo Draft Beer Black Label | ¥400 |
| [Hokkaido Limited] Classic | ¥400 |
| Kaitakushi Beer | ¥450 |
| 3 - Type Tasting Set | ¥1,000 |
| Non - Alcoholic Beer - Flavored Beverage | ¥200 |
| Soft Drinks | ¥200 |
The most recommended option is the “3-Type Tasting Set”
This set allows you to taste all three varieties: Black Label, Classic, and Kaitakushi Beer.
Here are the characteristics of each beer:
| Product Name | Features |
|---|---|
| Sapporo Draft Beer Black Label | A flagship product that has been a best - seller since its 1977 release. Perfect balance between malt flavor and refreshing aftertaste. Maintains a crisp drinking experience from first sip to last. |
| Sapporo Classic | A 100% malt beer with no additives, focusing on authentic beer taste. Pairs perfectly with ingredients grown in Hokkaido's rich natural environment. Experience its satisfying yet easy - to - drink character. |
| Kaitakushi Beer | 100% malt with live beer yeast. Uses malt and hops from Okhotsk and Furano regions. Rich and solid flavor profile. |
Black Label, compared to other Japanese beers, is characterized by its smooth taste.
Classic has a more distinctive bitterness than Black Label, giving it more character.
Speaking of character, Kaitakushi Beer is the most distinctive. It has a unique taste and possibly a slightly stronger bitterness than Classic.
All three are delicious!
The Kaitakushi Beer, which aims to recreate the taste from 1876, is particularly special as it’s not available in convenience stores.
The glasses are the same size as draft beer glasses in Japanese izakayas, and you get three of them.
But because they’re so delicious, the quantity isn’t an issue - you’ll finish them before you know it.
Be sure to compare the modern and founding-era beers.
On the first floor, next to Star Hall, you’ll find the museum shop. Here you can purchase Sapporo Beer merchandise and exclusive souvenirs only available at this location.
You can buy the Kaitakushi Beer that you can taste in Star Hall. Since it’s rarely found in Japanese supermarkets, this is a great opportunity to purchase some if you enjoyed it at Star Hall.
The shop also sells Sapporo Beer glasses, which are quite rare.
Of course, they also sell classic souvenir snacks.
Right now, you can enjoy a virtual tour of the Sapporo Beer Museum interior on your PC or smartphone.
Take a look to get a sense of the space and scale of exhibitions before your visit.
Sapporo Beer Museum 3D Virtual Tour
Let’s introduce Sapporo Beer briefly.
Sapporo Breweries Ltd. is one of Japan’s major beer manufacturers, with roots in Sapporo, Hokkaido. It’s currently under Sapporo Holdings Ltd., manufacturing and selling beer and beverages both domestically and internationally.
Sapporo Beer’s history dates back to 1876 (Meiji 9) when the government established the “Kaitakushi Brewery.” It’s one of Japan’s oldest beer brands, established as part of Hokkaido’s development.
| ”Kaitakushi Brewery” established (predecessor of current Sapporo Beer) | |
| Privatized as “Sapporo Beer Company” | |
| ”Dai-Nippon Beer” formed (merger of Sapporo Beer, Osaka Beer, and Japan Beer) | |
| Dai-Nippon Beer dissolved; “Nippon Beer Co., Ltd.” (later Sapporo Beer) established | |
| Renamed to “Sapporo Beer Ltd.” | |
| ”Sapporo Holdings Ltd.” established |
Today, they operate not only in Japan but also in overseas markets including the United States, Canada, and Asia.
Sapporo Beer offers multiple beer brands with different concepts.
| Product Name | Features |
|---|---|
| Sapporo Black Label | Released in 1977. Pursues the "beauty of draft beer" with a refreshing taste |
| Yebisu Beer | Premium beer brand. Rich flavor, 100% malt |
| Sapporo Classic | Hokkaido - exclusive beer. Refreshing and smooth taste |
| Sapporo Lager Beer | Known as Red Star, Japan's oldest lager beer |
| Sapporo Draft Beer Black | A stout beer characterized by rich flavor and sweetness |
These beers are highly regarded not only in Japan but also internationally.
Sapporo Beer operates under the philosophy of “creating abundance,” consistently maintaining high-quality beer production. They particularly excel in the following areas:
They cherish their Hokkaido beer culture heritage, offering regional-exclusive products like “Sapporo Classic.”
Their flagship Yebisu Beer maintains its strong position in domestic and international premium beer markets through its commitment to 100% malt and long-term aging. It’s available in convenience stores and supermarkets throughout Japan.
In the United States, “SAPPORO PREMIUM BEER” is popular and locally produced. They’ve also acquired Canadian heritage brand “Sleeman” and actively pursue international growth strategies.
The Sapporo Beer Museum is a precious cultural facility where you can experience both Hokkaido’s development history and Japan’s beer history. Step into this historic red brick building, and you’ll feel the living presence of Japanese beer culture that has continued since the Meiji era.
The impressive brewing kettle, the kimono-clad figures in historical advertisements, and most importantly, the chance to taste Kaitakushi Beer recreated to match the founding-era flavor - these are unique experiences only this museum can offer. The deep flavors created from Hokkaido-grown malt and hops might be infinitely close to the ideal taste that pioneers sought 150 years ago.
When visiting Sapporo, make sure to stop by this museum. Not only is admission free, but you can also enjoy comparing three different Not only is admission free, but you can also enjoy comparing three different beers at Star Hall. After viewing the exhibitions, why not take your time to savor beer at the birthplace of Japanese beer history while reflecting on Hokkaido’s pioneering history?
“When you think of Hokkaido, you think of beer.” This is where that culture was born and nurtured.
