[Sapporo and Suntory Edition] “Beer Masters” Engage in a Heated Debate! What’s the “Ultimate Beer” to Drink This Summer?
A Thorough Comparison of the Flagship Products from the Four Major Brewers: Asahi, Kirin, Sapporo, and Suntory [Part 2]
“Kinmugi,” “Kuro Label”… Which Offers the Best Value?
“Extreme heat days”—with maximum temperatures exceeding 40°C—are occurring one after another across the country. If you walk through the city under the blazing sun, you’ll start sweating profusely in just a few minutes—and that’s exactly when beer tastes best. But when you look around the store shelves, you’ll find a wide variety of beers lined up, ranging from classic staples to new brands and limited-edition offerings. Which beer is the right choice?
A panel of “beer masters”—beverage expert Takahiro Ezawa, beer journalist MJ, and fellow beer journalist Toshihide Tsuda—engaged in a heated debate over which beer offers the best value for money this summer.
Following Part 1, which covered Asahi and Kirin products, Part 2 features an in-depth discussion of recommended beers from Sapporo and Suntory.
Recommended Beers from Suntory and Sapporo
――What about Suntory? Like Kirin Beer, they also have a top brand of happoshu.
Tsuda: Actually, “Kinmugi” is the one I drink most often personally.
MJ: Even though you were raving about “Honkirin”!?
Tsuda: 6% ABV is a bit high for everyday drinking (laughs). “Kinmugi” is 5%, so it’s perfect for everyday enjoyment. Its defining feature is that it has no defining features—it’s smooth and doesn’t interfere with your meal. That’s part of why I can drink it and just clear my head. I feel most relaxed when I’m drinking “Kinmugi.”
MJ: “Kinmugi” is also being reclassified as beer in October. I’ve tried a prototype, and it tasted just like “Kinmugi” as always. Since it already has a high malt content and is similar to beer, it doesn’t seem likely that fans will turn away just because it’s been reclassified.
Ezawa: Another outstanding option is “Suntory Draft Beer <Natsu-Nama>.”It’s a spin-off of “Suntory Draft Beer” and has been available in limited quantities since July. Although it’s designed for summer, the alcohol content is a bit high at 5.5%. That’s typically an alcohol level suited for fall and winter, but “Natsu-Nama” is remarkably light thanks to the refreshing hop character. The balance is truly superb.
――What would you recommend from Sapporo Beer?
Ezawa: The sure bet is “Sapporo Draft Beer Black Label.” It has an elegant bitterness while still allowing the malt character to shine through. Although lighter beers are trending these days, “Black Label” remains unchanged from the past—neither too light nor too heavy.
Tsuda: I once heard from a professor who studies beer that if you plot Japanese beers on a graph, “Black Label” lands right in the center. Whether you measure it by weight, lightness, vibrancy, or body, it always ends up in the middle. It’s the brand that serves as the benchmark for Japanese beer.
MJ: It really has that “real beer” image, doesn’t it? I’ve decided that the last beer I’ll drink before I die will be “Black Label.”
Ezawa: You’re a true fan (laughs).
Tsuda: “Sapporo White Berg” is also a beer with a unique character. It’s a happoshu (low-alcohol beer) inspired by Belgian white beer. It was released in 2014 and has quietly been on the market for 12 years now. It features a fruity aroma, mild bitterness, and the refreshing quality typical of white beer. With few similar products on the market, it has carved out a unique niche for itself.
MJ: For summer, I recommend “Sapporo Beer Garden Summer Pils.” Supervised by the Sapporo Beer Garden in Sapporo City, this beer lets you enjoy the umami of malt and the refreshing aroma of hops. It’s available in limited quantities starting in June.
After a heated debate, the “best beer” was chosen…
――Let’s get to the conclusion. We’ve prepared the top contenders we’d heard about beforehand. Please taste them and decide which one offers the best value for this summer.
Ezawa: I’m torn between “Sapporo Beer Garden Summer Pils” and “Asahi Super Dry Cool & Dry,” but I’ll go with “Summer Pils.”
Tsuda: I’ll cast my vote for “Summer Pils” as well.
MJ: I’d go with the “Cool & Dry.” It really feels ice-cold. It has a crisp, clean finish. I appreciate how it captures not only the great taste but also the sheer pleasure of drinking beer in the summer.
Ezawa: It’s true that the “Cool & Dry” has a wonderful cooling sensation. However, I appreciate the “Summer Pils” for its overall quality. By utilizing the sugars derived from malt, hops, rice, corn, and starch in the fermentation process, it achieves a crisp, clean finish. And the sharp bitterness makes you want to reach for another bottle.Both the product name and the packaging really evoke the feeling of summer.
Tsuda: The taste definitely doesn’t disappoint, and it’s very drinkable, isn’t it?
――“Drinkable”?
Tsuda: It’s a term that means you can drink as much as you want. It’s one of the evaluation criteria at beer competitions and the like.
MJ: Beers that leave you satisfied after just one bottle tend to score lower at judging events, don’t they?
Tsuda: The idea is that the second bottle tastes better than the first, and the third better than the second—
MJ: That’s the highest compliment!
Tsuda: “Cool & Dry” is certainly drinkable, but I think “Summer Pils” has the edge in this regard.
Ezawa & MJ: No objections!!
The heated debate among the “Beer Ironmen” lasted over two hours. The “strongest beer,” which won a close contest, was the “Sapporo Beer Garden Summer Pils.”
1st Place: Sapporo
Sapporo Beer Garden Summer Pils
From the September 4, 2026 issue of *FRIDAY*