Think all beer drank during Oktoberfest needs to be from Germany? Think again. Here's a fun fact - Sapporo, the #1 selling Asian beer in the US - was originally brewed in 1876 by brewmaster Seibei Nakagawa, who studied beer making in Germany using Bavarian hops.

As legend tells it, Nakagawa was sent to Germany to learn about brewing after hops were found growing on Hokkaido, Japan's second largest island. (At the time, the Japanese government was developing new businesses in Hokkaido, including beer brewing). Nakagawa learned German techniques and fell in love with the craft of making great beer. In June of 1876, Nakagawa was appointed as brewmaster to oversee the construction of the Kaitakushi Brewery. The following year, Sapporo Lager was born. And the rest, as they say, is history.

Today, Sapporo is available in three distinct types: Sapporo Premium, Sapporo Light and Sapporo Reserve. Each beer is food friendly, perfectly balanced and widely available in the US.

This Oktoberfest, when the world is enjoying beer from other nations, give Japan's signature Sapporo a try. With an undeniably strong connection to German beer-making, ordering a Sapporo with your sausage and sauerkraut will surely be a great conversation starter.

Founded in Sapporo, Japan in 1876, a German-trained brewer named Seibei Nakagawa combined his advanced brewing knowledge with his passion for Japanese craftsmanship and created a one-of-a-kind beer. From the beginning, Sapporo was a favorite among beer lovers - a crisp, clean taste they appreciated and an advanced brewing process they respected. Today, Sapporo is the oldest beer brand in Japan.

Sapporo lagers, with their famously crisp and refreshing taste, have been enjoyed by stylish and contemporary, yet selective beer-loving consumers for almost half a century in the U.S. Sapporo Premium was first brought to America in 1964. In 1984, SAPPORO U.S.A., INC. was founded to maintain the high quality and distribution of the brand throughout the country. Soon thereafter, Sapporo established its status as the #1 selling Asian beer in the United States. Today, three varieties of the brand (Sapporo Premium, Sapporo Reserve, and Sapporo Premium Light) are enjoyed by beer connoisseurs across the country.

Sapporo beers are mad from only the finest natural ingredients and epitomized by a luxurious use of aroma hops & fine aroma hops. The combination of select barley and hops with an extreme attention to quality give Sapporo beers their crisp taste, refreshing flavor, and mild, refined bitterness. Their uniquely shaped silver can represents the distinctive style and flavor one can enjoy from Sapporo beer. Before reaching consumers, Sapporo goes through multiple processes to ensure the quality is at its best. Sapporo scientifically tests gas volume and oxygen levels, and perform a thorough "five sense" test, including smell, taste, color, foaming, and brightness. From quality ingredients to their unique packaging to thorough testing, Sapporo knows how premium beer is made.

So this Oktoberfest, try something a little outside-the-box with Sapporo beer. There is no need to stick to the same-old same-old, Oktoberfest is a long party so do something a little different. Give Sapporo a try this year for the biggest beer-fest in the world, you will be happy you did