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Sapporo SORACHI 1984

Sapporo Brewery
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🌍 Japan · Golden Ale · One of 28 Golden Ales in hopIQ

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

AWARDS

Gold · 2024
Japan Great Beer Awards
Free Style Light Ale
Gold — Japan Great Beer Awards (Free Style Light Ale)
How it drinks· Its pace, balance and relationship to the style.
Pace
sessionsipper
Balance
malt-ledhop-led
Where this beer sits· Four axes, the same for every beer in hopIQ.
Body
Medium body.
lightfull-bodied
Sweetness
Dry finish.
drysweet
Bitterness
Soft bitterness.
mildbitter
Texture
Crisp mouthfeel.
crispcreamy

Even from Body through Texture, the taste structure is evenly distributed.

Harmony over emphasis — the beer is built for each note to sit at the same volume.

Character· What makes this beer itself — not just another Golden Ale.
Hop character
citrusy
hoppy
herbal
Malt character
malty
Fermentation & yeast
clean

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
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Serve & Enjoy

How to get the most out of Sapporo SORACHI 1984

Serve at 7–10°C
Refrigerate, then rest 2 min

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

Pint glass
Recommended for this style

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

Store in a cool, dark place. Check the best-before date on the label for guidance.

Food Pairing

What to eat with Sapporo SORACHI 1984

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.

Other Golden Ales in hopIQ

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