Sapporo vs Suntory:Which is more popular?
In October 2026, Sapporo had more branded searches than Suntory among Japanese beer brands worldwide. Sapporo had about 135,000 branded searches, while Suntory had 12,100. Sapporo made up 33.5% of all Japanese beer brand searches we track, and Suntory accounted for 3%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about Japanese beer brands, Sapporo appeared in all five answers and Suntory in three. Sapporo was mentioned before Suntory in every answer.
Who do people search for more?
Sapporo, about 11 searches for every 1 for Suntory
Who does AI mention more?
Sapporo, mentioned in every answer we collected
Who does AI recommend more?
Sapporo, named ahead of Suntory in every answer
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Top Japanese beer brands in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews
In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, Sapporo appeared in all five answers. Suntory was mentioned in three out of five: in one of the three ChatGPT answers and in both Google AI Overviews. Sapporo was listed before Suntory in every answer.
Most recommended by AI
Brands get a higher ranking if they are mentioned earlier in the answers.
Mentioned by AI
Each dot is one answer, filled in when that answer mentions the brand.
Asahi5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers- Sapporo5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
Kirin5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
Yebisu5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
Hitachino Nest4 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
Orion3 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
Suntory3 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
See every answer about Japanese beer brands
5 answers
Asked ChatGPT
“Which Japanese beer should I try?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What are the best Japanese beer brands?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What's a good Japanese beer to drink with sushi?”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“japanese beer”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“japanese beer brands”
Brands are shown in the order each answer named them. The survey took place in the United States on October 25, 2026.
Is Sapporo or Suntory more popular in search?
This chart shows how often people search Google for Sapporo and Suntory by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all seven Japanese beer brands we track, month by month, from English-language searches worldwide.
Share of searches by month for Sapporo, Suntory. The figures are in the table below the chart.
View monthly share of searches table
| Month | Asahi | Sapporo | Kirin | Orion | Suntory | Yebisu | Hitachino Nest |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nov 2025 | 34.6% | 34.6% | 18.9% | 4.7% | 2.5% | 3.8% | 0.91% |
| Dec 2025 | 34.2% | 34.2% | 20.6% | 3.8% | 2.5% | 3.8% | 0.9% |
| Jan 2026 | 30.7% | 37.4% | 20.4% | 4.1% | 2.2% | 4.1% | 0.99% |
| Feb 2026 | 31.7% | 38.5% | 19% | 4.2% | 2.3% | 3.5% | 0.84% |
| Mar 2026 | 30.7% | 37.4% | 20.4% | 4.1% | 2.2% | 4.1% | 0.99% |
| Apr 2026 | 30.5% | 37.1% | 20.3% | 5% | 2.7% | 3.3% | 0.98% |
| May 2026 | 33.2% | 33.2% | 22.2% | 4.5% | 2.4% | 3.7% | 0.87% |
| Jun 2026 | 38.9% | 31.7% | 19.5% | 4.3% | 1.9% | 2.9% | 0.84% |
| Jul 2026 | 29.6% | 36% | 22.1% | 5.9% | 2.2% | 3.2% | 0.95% |
| Aug 2026 | 30.4% | 37.3% | 20.3% | 6.1% | 2.2% | 2.7% | 0.8% |
| Sep 2026 | 31.3% | 38.4% | 19.2% | 5.1% | 2.3% | 2.8% | 0.82% |
| Oct 2026 | 33.5% | 33.5% | 20.5% | 5.5% | 3% | 3% | 0.89% |
How has branded search for Sapporo and Suntory changed worldwide over the last 12 months?
3 findings
- Sapporo was ahead of Suntory in every measured month of the 12 months ending October 2026.
- Across the 12 months ending October 2026, Sapporo’s share of searches among Japanese beer brands worldwide moved from 34.6% to 33.5%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 110K to 135K.
- Across the 12 months ending October 2026, Suntory’s share of searches among Japanese beer brands worldwide moved from 2.5% to 3%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 8.1K to 12.1K.
How did search popularity change for Japanese beer brands worldwide in October 2026?
3 changes
In October 2026, Asahi overtook Sapporo to become the leader among Japanese beer brands worldwide, with 33.5% of the searches.
In October 2026, Suntory overtook Yebisu to rank 5th among Japanese beer brands worldwide, with 3% of the searches.
In October 2026, Sapporo lost share of searches among Japanese beer brands worldwide, from 38.4% to 33.5%.
How are Sapporo’s and Suntory’s branded searches counted?
2 search terms
Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Sapporo’s and Suntory’s names. When viewed over time, estimated search volumes for these branded terms can be used to understand whether interest in the brands is growing, holding steady, or fading.
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