2011 Adoption of "Long-lasting Umami Malt" for Kuro Label
Sapporo Draft Beer Kuro Label, a draft beer which has had its taste continually refined since its launch, has reached the next level of taste after 34 years. Starting with products manufactured in March 2011, Sapporo Breweries' proprietary "Long-lasting Umami Malt" (Note 1) has been used, further improving delicious taste of a freshly brewed draft beer at the first sip.
(Note 1) Malt derived from barley that does not contain LOX-1 (lipid oxidizing enzyme-1), a compound that contributes to flavor deterioration in beer (LOX-less malt = Long-lasting Umami Malt)
Business alliance with Bacardi Japan
In May 2011, the company signed an exclusive distribution agreement in Japan with Bacardi Japan, which offers many leading Western liquor brands including Bacardi rum, the world's No. 1 rum brand by sales volume. In 2012, we launched RTD (Note 1) and RTS (Note 2) products, which allow people to easily enjoy Mojitos, and sparked the Mojito boom in Japan.
(Note 1) Abbreviation for ready-to-drink. A low-alcohol beverage that can be drunk as-is.
(Note 2) Abbreviation for ready-to-serve. This is a drink that can be enjoyed simply by mixing it with ice, soda, or other drinks.