Japanese beers have become a favourite among Australian drinkers thanks to their crisp flavours, smooth finishes and perfect pairing with Asian cuisine. Among the most popular imports, Asahi Super Dry and Sapporo Premium always stand out. Both are easy to drink, refreshing, and widely available across the country — especially through trusted online liquor retailers like Matthews Liquor.

But the big question remains: Which Japanese beer is actually better?
Let’s find out through a full comparison of taste, aroma, mouthfeel, food pairing and value.

1. Overview: Asahi Super Dry vs Sapporo Premium

Asahi Super Dry

• Style: Dry Lager (Karakuchi)
  
  

• ABV: 5.0%
  
  

• Origin: Japan
  
  

• Profile: Crisp, ultra-clean, very dry finish
  
  

• Available at: Matthews Liquor Online Store

Sapporo Premium

• Style: Pale Lager
  
  

• ABV: 5.0%
  
  

• Origin: Japan’s oldest brewery
  
  

• Profile: Smooth, slightly malty, rounded finish
  
  

• Shop at: MatthewsLiquor.com.au

Both are premium Japanese lagers offering a refreshing experience, but they shine in different ways.

2. Taste Comparison

Asahi Super Dry – Clean & Ultra Crisp

Asahi is brewed in the “Karakuchi” dry style, giving it:

• Clean, refreshing taste
  
  

• Tight, sharp carbonation
  
  

• No lingering sweetness
  
  

• Very crisp finish

It’s ideal for summer drinking and light meals. Many Australian drinkers choose Asahi when they want something extremely refreshing — often buying it in cartons from Matthews Liquor for BBQs and weekend parties.

Sapporo Premium – Smooth & Slightly Malty

Sapporo offers a fuller, rounder flavour:

• Subtle malty sweetness
  
  

• Balanced bitterness
  
  

• Softer, smooth carbonation
  
  

• Richer mouthfeel than Asahi

This makes Sapporo better for those who prefer a bit more flavour while still enjoying an easy-to-drink lager. It’s also a popular choice in Matthews Liquor’s Asian beer selection, especially for fans of Japanese BBQ.

3. Aroma & Mouthfeel

Aroma

• Asahi: Light grain, clean, minimalist.
  
  

• Sapporo: Slightly sweet malt aroma with gentle floral hop notes.

Mouthfeel

• Asahi: Lighter body, brisk carbonation, crisp finish.
  
  

• Sapporo: Smoother texture, rounder body, softer bubbles.

If you enjoy something ultra-light and sharp → Asahi wins.

If you want smoother, slightly heavier lager → Sapporo wins.

4. Food Pairings

Asahi Super Dry pairs best with:

• Sushi, sashimi
  
  

• Tempura
  
  

• Oysters, prawns & seafood
  
  

• Fried chicken (karaage)
  
  

• Spicy Asian dishes
  
  

The dry finish helps cleanse the palate between bites.

Sapporo Premium pairs best with:

• Ramen
  
  

• Yakitori & grilled beef
  
  

• Burgers
  
  

• BBQ skewers
  
  

• Savoury and smoky dishes

Its malty sweetness complements heavier flavours.

If you’re ordering food for a party, you can easily bundle both beers with snacks through the Matthews Liquor online shop.

5. Drinking Occasions

Choose Asahi Super Dry when:

• You want a crisp, refreshing summer beer
  
  

• You prefer dry, clean flavours
  
  

• You’re enjoying seafood or spicy dishes
  
  

• You want a great session beer for gatherings

Choose Sapporo Premium when:

• You prefer smoother, slightly richer beer
  
  

• You’re serving grilled meats or ramen
  
  

• You want gentle sweetness and balance
  
  

• You want a cool silver-can aesthetic

6. Price & Availability in Australia

Both beers are readily available, but buying online is often cheaper and more convenient — especially cartons or multi-packs.

At MatthewsLiquor.com.au, you can:

• Compare prices easily
  
  

• Choose from bottles, cans or case sizes
  
  

• Get fast delivery across Australia
  
  

• Add more Asian beverages (Kirin, Hite, Tiger, Singha…) to your cart
  
  

This makes it one of the best places to purchase Japanese beers online.