It’s not every day that a 149-year-old Japanese beer makes itself at home in Metro Manila. But for two straight nights this September, Sapporo Beerfest returned to Hotel Okura Manila—and the city responded with open arms, raised glasses, and a guest list that looked like a cross-section of Asia and beyond.

Held on September 19 & 20, 2025, and presented by Sapporo Premium Beer – Philippines and Philippine Wine Merchants, this year’s edition didn’t just level up—it matured. What started as a one-night event in 2024, a novel twist on the Oktoberfest format, had doubled in size, but kept its shape—intimate, well-paced, and wide open to everyone who wanted in. This was a polished celebration of Japanese brewing heritage, wrapped in smooth pours, easy rhythms, and an unmistakably global crowd.

For a brand with over a century of esteemed history, Sapporo knows how to adapt. It brought its legendary legacy, yes—but let Manila do the rest. Upstairs at Hotel Okura Manila, within the easy elegance of Yawaragi, something was brewing. Not just beer, but something better: connection and cultural confluence.

The result was an event that didn’t feel imported. It felt shared.

A robust toast to heritage

It’s no small thing to raise a glass of Sapporo in Manila. This isn’t just any beer; it’s Japan’s oldest and most storied brew, with roots tracing to 1876 when Seibei Nakagawa brought German brewing techniques home to Hokkaido. Over a century later, Sapporo remains the gold standard of Japanese beer—crisp, refined, and endlessly pairable. And it’s being celebrated far from its birthplace, with the kind of reverence usually reserved for fine wine—that’s what made this year’s Beerfest resonate with those in attendance. What started as a celebration of one iconic beer brand quickly became something more layered: a moment of shared appetite, mutual curiosity, and cross-cultural joy across borders, palates, and personalities.

Yawaragi’s sumptuous subtlety  

The culinary heart of the event was Yawaragi’s Kisetsu Buffet, a seasonal spread that proved once again why Japanese cuisine is best experienced through restraint and intention. Every offering—from charcoal-grilled yakitori and soft shell crab karaage to the sashimi live bar—was a study in contrast and control. Flavors were bold but never brash, and nothing felt excessive. Among the standouts: wagyu skewers—for the carnivores—blistered and buttery from the robatayaki grill, and salmon belly, perfectly charred. Ebi tempura that defied gravity with its lightness. And desserts like yuzu pavlova and black sesame mochi that wrapped the evening in just the right amount of sweet nostalgia.

The beer experience, redefined

Naturally, the beer, like its logo, was the star—though it never needed to call attention to itself. This wasn’t just about throwing back a cold pour, either; it was about discovering how beer could elevate a meal when treated with more mindfulness. The buffet was curated with the brews in mind, each dish offering a moment of contrast, complement, or quiet surprise.

Sapporo Premium played the role of classic lead: crisp, clean, and loyal to every dish on the table, especially to the sushi and sashimi, where its clarity let the delicate flavors shine through. Sapporo Black, with its toasty, coffee-tinged depth of flavor, paired beautifully with the array of char-grilled and roasted dishes. And the Holiday Blend—equal parts Premium and Black—was the wildcard that somehow lent itself nicely to everything, from tempura to taho ice cream.

All three brews were no mere sidekicks, but thoughtful partners—with every sip reinforcing the dining experience, never overwhelming it.

^{It wasn’t just the food or the beer—it was the vibe. A celebration of cultures coming together over shared tables, flowing music, and easy conversation.}

A night that found its own rhythm

If the beer opened the door, the food kept people seated—and the music gave them even more reason to linger. DJ Hidemi laid down smooth, modern grooves, with Takumi on sax weaving in live riffs that floated above the crowd. It started mellow. It ended with yet another live DJ set that got people dancing. Nobody pushed it—it just happened.

Because that’s what Sapporo Beerfest did best: it let things unfold naturally. Great beer, thoughtful food, a crowd that brought its own rhythm—and a night that felt less like an event, and more like a shared moment worth remembering.