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Sapporo SORACHI 1984

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A top-fermented golden ale hopped only with Sorachi Ace, the variety Sapporo bred in Kamifurano on Hokkaido and registered in 1984. Most of the hops are grown in the United States, with a rising share from Kamifurano and northern Japan. Dry hopping and a gentle boil bring out the variety's character: hinoki cypress, cedar and lemongrass on the nose, with lemon peel and dill-like herbs behind. The body is light and the finish dry, with a lingering, woody hop bitterness.

ABV
5.5%
Bitterness
Lightly bitter
Citrus hop bitterness
SRM
golden8
PaceA Few

AWARDS

Gold · 2024
Japan Great Beer Awards
Free Style Light Ale
★Gold — Japan Great Beer Awards (Free Style Light Ale)
Where this beer sits
Body
lightfull-bodied
Sweetness
drysweet
Bitterness
mildbitter
Texture
crispcreamy
Balance
malt-forwardhop-forward
What makes this beer itself
hoppycitrusyherbal
hoppy
citrusy
herbal
clean
malty
Aroma
The nose is distinctly aromatic, leading with the signature character of Sorachi Ace: prominent hinoki cypress and cedar notes intertwined with fresh lemongrass.
not found:juicy,caramel,fruity,smoky

Tasting Notes

AI-generated sensory profile for Sapporo SORACHI 1984

◎ Appearance

A brilliant golden hue with excellent clarity, characteristic of a well-crafted top-fermented ale. The beer displays a fine, white head with good retention and presents lively carbonation throughout the glass.

brilliant goldencrystal clearfine white headwell-carbonated

◌ Aroma

The nose is distinctly aromatic, leading with the signature character of Sorachi Ace: prominent hinoki cypress and cedar notes intertwined with fresh lemongrass. Behind these woody botanicals, subtle lemon peel and dill-like herbal notes emerge, creating a complex and intriguing aromatic profile that showcases the hop variety's unique terroir.

hinoki cypresslemongrasslemon peeldill-like herbs

◐ Taste

The palate is light and crisp, allowing the Sorachi Ace character to shine with citrus and herbal complexity. The mid-palate remains clean and dry, building toward a distinctive woody hop bitterness that lingers pleasantly without overwhelming the delicate malt foundation.

dryherbalcitrus-forwardwoody bitterness

◑ Finish

The finish is notably dry and clean, with a lingering woody hop bitterness that persists gracefully. This extended aftertaste reinforces the ale's sophisticated hop profile while maintaining excellent drinkability.

drylingeringclean finish
82
hopIQ score
Aroma
85
Taste
81
Appearance
84
Finish
80
Serve at 7–10°C

Serve at 7–10°C. Light and refreshing — serve cold to keep the delicate hop and malt balance intact.

Pint glass

The classic — versatile, comfortable to hold and keeps the beer cool. No frills, no distractions: just the beer.

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Food Pairing

What to eat with Sapporo SORACHI 1984

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About Golden Ale

Style guide · what to expect · how to find alternatives

What is a Golden Ale?

Golden Ale is a distinctive beer style with its own characteristic flavour, aroma and colour. Discover what makes it unique and find similar beers on hopIQ.

Finding a similar Golden Ale

hopIQ matches by flavor profile — not just style label. A beer with the same dry, light, hoppy character as Sapporo SORACHI 1984 will score highly even if brewed in a different country or under a different sub-style name.

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