Conglomerate

Sapporo Holdings

Tokyo, Japan

Dossier

Who they are

Japanese brewing giant that owns much of Canada's 'craft' heritage: it acquired Sleeman Breweries in 2006, and through it controls Unibroue, Upper Canada, Wild Rose and more.

The Umbrella

Breweries in the archive (5)

Sapporo, Hokkaido, Japan

Sapporo Breweries

Japan's oldest continuous beer brand, founded by a German-trained brewmaster in Hokkaido. Black Label has outlasted every trend sent at it.

Conglomerate-ownedSapporo Premium · 4.9%

Guelph, Ontario, Canada

Sleeman Breweries

Re-established in 1988 from an 1851 family recipe book, then sold to Sapporo in 2006. The heritage is genuine and the owner is in Tokyo.

Conglomerate-ownedSleeman · 5.0%

Chambly, Quebec, Canada

Unibroue

They built a Belgian brewing tradition in Quebec from nothing in 1990, then sold to Sleeman in 2004 and on to Sapporo. The beers are still exceptional. The ownership is Japanese.

Conglomerate-ownedLa Fin du Monde · 9.0%

Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Upper Canada Brewing Company

An early Toronto craft name, acquired by Sleeman in 1998. Being first in a market is no defence against being bought in it.

Conglomerate-ownedUpper Canada Lager · 5.0%

Calgary, Alberta, Canada

Wild Rose Brewery

A Calgary institution from 1996, acquired by Sleeman — and so Sapporo — in 2019. Another Alberta independent that is not one anymore.

Conglomerate-ownedVelvet Fog · 4.5%