Sapporo Non Alc

Sapporo's Non Alc sits in the non-alcoholic beer category, so the useful question is how it behaves in the glass compared with a regular lager. The listing gives no ABV, IBU or tasting notes, so what follows describes what this style usually delivers. Non-alcoholic lagers in the Sapporo mold typically pour pale gold with a white head that fades faster than a full-strength beer's. Expect a light, grainy malt character, a faint cereal sweetness, and restrained hop bitterness meant to finish clean rather than sharp. With less alcohol to carry weight, these beers tend to feel lighter on the palate, and the carbonation does much of the work in giving the finish its snap. Serve it cold, around 3 to 5°C (37 to 41°F). Non-alcoholic beers have less body to hold up as they warm, and the malt sweetness can turn bready or worty if the bottle or can sits out. A standard pilsner glass or a tall, slim pint glass suits it. The narrow shape keeps the carbonation lively and concentrates the faint malt and hop aroma. Pour at an angle and straighten the glass near the end to build a small head, which will be thinner than on a regular lager. For food, a crisp, low-bitterness lager like this fits the dishes that pair with Japanese-style lagers. Good matches include gyoza, yakitori, tempura, sushi and sashimi, and fried chicken, where the carbonation cuts through oil. It also works with salted snacks, grilled fish, and noodle dishes with soy or sesame. Very spicy or heavily sauced food will likely overwhelm its delicate profile, so keep it with cleaner, simpler flavors.