Sapporo Event Explores Furano VINTAGE with a Classic Beer Tasting
An event exploring Sapporo Classic Furano VINTAGE will take place on October 17 at the Sapporo Kaitakushi Beer Brewery museum. Guests can hear from a Sapporo Beer Hokkaido Brewery brewmaster and compare Furano VINTAGE with standard Sapporo Classic.
Hop BroA perfect Sapporo autumn event, the Furano VINTAGE talk, is happening on October 17 at the Sapporo Kaitakushi Brewery Museum.
MugiWhat? It is not just drinking Furano VINTAGE, but talking about it too? Sounds like a beer school field trip!
Hop BroThe star is the seasonal Sapporo Classic Furano VINTAGE, a beer that showcases the character of hops grown in Furano.
MugiWhat makes Furano-grown hops different? Can a different field really mean a different aroma?
Hop BroAbsolutely. Variety, weather, and soil all affect hop aroma. Brewers call that terroir—basically, the field's own personality.
MugiTerroir... a wine professor just entered the chat! Still, drinking the story of this year's field sounds strangely romantic.
Hop BroFrom 2 to 3 p.m., Tsutomu Yamaki, brewing director at Sapporo Breweries' Hokkaido plant, will explain this year's hop crop and brewing. A brewer's insider view is a rare treat.
MugiAnd then comes the part I cannot wait for! From 3 to 4, there is a side-by-side tasting of two beers, right? My taste buds need warm-ups!
Hop BroYou will compare Furano VINTAGE with regular Sapporo Classic—aroma, bitterness, and mouthfeel. Smell first, then sip, and spot the hop difference.
Mugi“Spot the aroma clues” sounds like detective work! I want to announce, “The culprit is Furano hops!”
Hop BroThe guide is Kikuo Sakamaki of Maltheads. The beer pub closed in January 2026, but this event carries on Sakamaki's beer wisdom.
MugiIt is 2,500 yen, no reservation required, and you can join on the day. If you are over 20 and not driving, I want to toast to Sapporo autumn!
A closer look at Hokkaido’s seasonal beer
Maltheads is presenting “A Talk About This Year’s Furano VINTAGE” on Saturday, October 17, 2026, from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. The event will be held on the second floor of the Sapporo Kaitakushi Beer Brewery museum.
The featured beer is Sapporo Classic Furano VINTAGE, a seasonal release strongly associated with Hokkaido’s autumn. Tsumugu Yamaki, Brewing Department General Manager at Sapporo Beer’s Hokkaido Brewery, will discuss the hops used in this year’s beer and the conditions experienced in the Furano hop fields over the growing season.
The first hour is scheduled as a talk, followed by a tasting from 3:00 to 4:00 p.m. Guests will compare Sapporo Classic Furano VINTAGE with Sapporo Classic, allowing them to consider the differences between the limited seasonal beer and the brewery’s familiar flagship lager.
Admission is ¥2,500 including tax, and advance registration is not required. The event will be navigated by Kikuo Sakamaki of Maltheads, a Sapporo beer pub known for its compact counter setting and deep focus on beer and malt whisky. Maltheads ended its regular operations on January 31, 2026, but continues to share beer-related activities and knowledge through its network.
The venue is located inside Sapporo Factory. For beer enthusiasts, the event offers a chance to connect a seasonal pour with the hops, brewing process, and people behind it. Alcohol will be served, so participation is limited to adults who are not driving.
Information may be inaccurate. Please refer to the venue’s official channels for the latest details.
Hop BroA perfect Sapporo autumn event, the Furano VINTAGE talk, is happening on October 17 at the Sapporo Kaitakushi Brewery Museum.
MugiWhat? It is not just drinking Furano VINTAGE, but talking about it too? Sounds like a beer school field trip!
Hop BroThe star is the seasonal Sapporo Classic Furano VINTAGE, a beer that showcases the character of hops grown in Furano.
MugiWhat makes Furano-grown hops different? Can a different field really mean a different aroma?
Hop BroAbsolutely. Variety, weather, and soil all affect hop aroma. Brewers call that terroir—basically, the field's own personality.
MugiTerroir... a wine professor just entered the chat! Still, drinking the story of this year's field sounds strangely romantic.
Hop BroFrom 2 to 3 p.m., Tsutomu Yamaki, brewing director at Sapporo Breweries' Hokkaido plant, will explain this year's hop crop and brewing. A brewer's insider view is a rare treat.
MugiAnd then comes the part I cannot wait for! From 3 to 4, there is a side-by-side tasting of two beers, right? My taste buds need warm-ups!
Hop BroYou will compare Furano VINTAGE with regular Sapporo Classic—aroma, bitterness, and mouthfeel. Smell first, then sip, and spot the hop difference.
Mugi“Spot the aroma clues” sounds like detective work! I want to announce, “The culprit is Furano hops!”
Hop BroThe guide is Kikuo Sakamaki of Maltheads. The beer pub closed in January 2026, but this event carries on Sakamaki's beer wisdom.
MugiIt is 2,500 yen, no reservation required, and you can join on the day. If you are over 20 and not driving, I want to toast to Sapporo autumn!
