SAKE 101: How is Sake Made?
Apr. 22. 2021 writer:
Learn about the complicated production process of sake with this easy-to-understand illustrated guide.
SAKETIMES Articles
Interview: Dassai Head Spills the Secrets Behind its Global Success
Apr. 1. 2021 writer:
How did the world-famous sake brand Dassai achieve its stellar global reputation? Dassai head Sakurai spills the details.
SAKETIMES NEWS – Mar 31, 2020
Mar. 31. 2020 writer:
In the news this week: Hyogo Prefecture’s Harima District nets the honor of becoming the fifth regional sake brand in Japan. Then, sake brewers in Hiroshima join forces with the famous wineries of Burgundy, France. Last, Denshu sake from Aomori Prefecture gets its own line of dedicated cups for the ultimate drinking experience.
SAKETIMES NEWS – Mar 24, 2020
Mar. 24. 2020 writer:
In the news this week: A whole new type of distilled sake hits the market with an eco-friendly angle. Then, Kubota is at it again with another new take on an old favorite. Finally, the sake drinking trends of 2020 brought to you by our very own SAKETIMES survey.
SAKETIMES NEWS – Mar 17, 2020
Mar. 17. 2020 writer:
In the news this week: Sake-themed KitKats are back, this time with a yogurt kick. Then, “fruit-flavored” sake without any fruit on the ingredient label. Finally, a whole new use for sake lees and a whole new business model is created with “Craft Gin Last.”
SAKETIMES NEWS – Mar 10, 2020
Mar. 10. 2020 writer:
In the news this week: An unusual sake tasting competition in Osaka starring sake made outside of Japan. Then, a unique collaboration between Taiwanese and Japanese sake brewing is in crowdfunding. Finally, straight out of science fiction comes an unheard of sake beverage that’s been constructed from molecules.
SAKETIMES NEWS – Mar 3, 2020
Mar. 3. 2020 writer:
In the news this week: The two great tastes of tequila and umeshu plum wine come together in a new Japan-Mexico collaboration. Then, sad news out of Niigata as the hugely popular Sake no Jin festival is canceled over COVID-19 concerns. Finally, Den Sake gets the star treatment from America’s public broadcaster.
SAKETIMES NEWS – Feb 25, 2020
Feb. 25. 2020 writer:
In the news this week: Kubota continues its mission to improve on itself during its 35th year. Then, ANA announces its 2020 lineup of sake in flights and at lounges. Finally, a brand new sake rice out of Ishikawa gets a brand new name.
SAKETIMES NEWS – Feb 18, 2020
Feb. 18. 2020 writer:
In the news this week: Sake continues its global spread and grows worldwide for the 10th straight year. Then, a unique new sake hopes to improve the lives of differently-abled people. Finally, a very special one-day batch of namazake sells to mark the traditional “first day of spring” in Japan.
SAKETIMES NEWS – Feb 11, 2020
Feb. 11. 2020 writer:
In the news this week: A new brewery set up by a town in Hokkaido is borrowing talent from an established compatriot in Gifu. Then, Craft Sake Week returns bigger than ever this year. Finally, even more sake festival fun can be had when Washu Fest rolls into Tokyo this March.
SAKETIMES NEWS – Feb 4, 2020
Feb. 4. 2020 writer:
In the news this week: Navigating Niigata’s many breweries can be a challenge, but luckily the Sake Tourist Information Bar is here to help. Then, breweries around Saku City are offering visitors a free ride in the form of a bus tour series. Finally, celebrate Valentine’s Day with either chocolate-flavored sake, or sake-flavored chocolates.
SAKETIMES NEWS – Jan 28, 2020
Jan. 28. 2020 writer:
In the news this week: Sake takes to the road in Fukui with a Kokuryu Sake Brewery catering truck. Then, a southern beauty of sake gets an elegantly subtle makeover. Finally, a huge archeological find in Kyoto unearths the oldest look at sake brewing in Japan.
SAKETIMES NEWS – Jan 21, 2020
Jan. 21. 2020 writer:
In the news this week: Sake joins forces with the literary world in a special set of books and booze. Then, sake partners with a major airport in Aichi to create the nation’s first sake-exclusive duty free store. Finally, sake meets the visual art world as Sawa no Tsuru commissions 13 artists for label designs.
SAKETIMES NEWS – Jan 14, 2020
Jan. 14. 2020 writer:
In the news this week: The most highly-evaluated sake breweries around the world come together in the 2019 World Sakagura Ranking. Then, Okinawa may be in danger of losing touch with its traditional drink of aged awamori. Finally, many residents of Kumamoto city ring in the new year with a warm sake bath.
SAKETIMES NEWS – Jan 7, 2020
Jan. 7. 2020 writer:
In the news this week: To help get the new year started off right, we’ve picked up two must-see events focusing on hot food and sake pairings to warm you up through January. Then, reconnect with the history of Edo through Tokyo Classic sake, made with 100-year-old yeast.
SAKETIMES NEWS – Dec 24, 2019
Dec. 24. 2019 writer:
In the news this week: Now, anyone can order their own custom Japanese sake barrel for their next event. Then, stocking stuffers don’t get much better than an authentic, miniature sugidama. Finally, Ibaraki Prefecture honors its best and brightest brewing masters as “Hitachi Toji.”
SAKETIMES NEWS – Dec 17, 2019
Dec. 17. 2019 writer:
In the news this week: Abysse, the sake made with Burgundy yeast, gets the 300mL bottle treatment in celebration of its success. Then, Naorai helps revitalize agriculture in Japan and makes great sake-themed drinks in the process. Finally, a traditional Japanese dessert gets a sake kick for a completely new sweet experience.
Keiichiro Miyagawa and Kura Master: Paving the Way for a Sake Movement in France
Dec. 12. 2019 writer:
While sake continues to expand across the globe, it’s found a unique relationship with the people of France. One of the trailblazers raising awareness of the drink in the European nation for decades is Keiichiro Miyagawa, co-founder of the influential Kura Master sake contest.
SAKETIMES NEWS – Dec 17, 2019
Dec. 10. 2019 writer:
In the news this week: The Vietnam-Japan Festival is coming to Ho Chi Minh and with it some great sake. Then, sake cocktails appear in an unlikely place at the newly-opened “world’s largest” Starbucks in Chicago. Finally, the much anticipated reopening of Shibuya Parco in Tokyo brings cool offerings for sake fans.
SAKETIMES NEWS – Dec 3, 2019
Dec. 3. 2019 writer:
In the news this week: the Japanese government is gearing up to make exporting new sake abroad easier. Then Fukui brings its sake-related wares to Hong Kong to help promote the region. Finally, Link 8888, a sake aged in Scotch barrels makes a triumphant return to store shelves.
Taiji Okura: From SAKETIMES Intern to Future Head of One of Japan’s Biggest Breweries
Nov. 28. 2019 writer:
Taiji Okura has followed a career path traveled by few; partly due to birthright, partly due to personal ambition, he’s carved an interesting trail and is all but destined for greatness. But the likely future head of Gekkeikan says his time spent interning here at this very publication, SAKETIMES, was as important a stepping stone as any on his way to the top.
SAKETIMES NEWS – Nov 26, 2019
Nov. 26. 2019 writer:
In the news this week: White Wine is reborn through Masumi sake yeast as “Goutte d’Argent.” Then, the chance to literally bathe in sake will be coming to Nagano this winter. Finally, a sake custom-designed to be had with udon noodles is thriving in the crowdfunding stage.
SAKETIMES NEWS – Nov 19, 2019
Nov. 19. 2019 writer:
In the news this week: Far from a grueling endurance race, the Kikizake Marathon is a fun run full of costumes, food, and sake. Then, TISPY2 is an electronic drinking buddy who’s not afraid to tell you when you’ve had enough. Last, thanks to all the great dedicated sake fans out there, Sake Day is the most popular alcohol-themed holiday in Japan by a long shot.
SAKETIMES NEWS – Nov 12, 2019
Nov. 12. 2019 writer:
In the news this week: Sake kegs are on the way, opening up a new world of “draft sake.” Then, in sports news, Kikumasamune Sake Brewery drafts midfielder Andres Iniesta. Finally, an exciting new way to brew sake that does away with the shortcomings of past techniques.
SAKETIMES NEWS – Nov 5, 2019
Nov. 5. 2019 writer:
In the news this week: Nagai Brewery’s sake gets the vegan stamp of approval in time for the Olympics. Then, Hokkaido aims to become a major force in sake with Japan’s first brewery operating on a university campus. Finally, OuSake offers a variety of lectures in Shanghai to spread the sake gospel.
SAKETIMES NEWS – Oct 29, 2019
Oct. 29. 2019 writer:
In the news this week: Fun and enlightenment await at the Sake Museum soon to open in Shanghai. Then, the spat between South Korean and Japanese governments has taken its toll on the sake industry in Japan. Finally, all-you-can-drink at Sake no Jin may be no more, but operators are hard at work to reclaim the original spirit of the event.
SAKETIMES NEWS – Oct 22, 2019
Oct. 22. 2019 writer:
In the news this week: For those who love sake so much they want to bathe in it, Hoshinoya Tokyo has your number. Then, Shiokawa Sake Brewery and partners are finding out how possible it is to make sake in the vastly different environment of Vietnam. Finally, Finland’s premier sake spot, Zen Sushi, will be holding a special intimate tasting full of fall flavors.
Sake and Soy Sauce: Culinary Cousins with a Shared History
Oct. 17. 2019 writer:
On the surface, sake - a clear and sweet alcoholic drink - and soy sauce, a dark and salty condiment, might not seem to have much in common. Surprisingly, though, they’re both made in similar ways and, as a result have contributed much to each other’s development throughout history. Let’s take a closer look at the similarities and differences between these two cornerstones of Asian cuisine.
SAKETIMES NEWS – Oct 15, 2019
Oct. 15. 2019 writer:
In the news this week: After falling vistim to a tsunami eight years ago, Sasaki Brewery returns with some fresh new sake. Then, an Ishikawa festival gets an English-language upgrade with the IT skills of Sakelogy. Finally, Asahi Shuzo comes up with a new brand name for its American-brewed sake right out of the blue.
SAKETIMES NEWS – Oct8, 2019
Oct. 8. 2019 writer:
In the news this week: Kubota gets ready to turn 35, and big changes are in the works. Then, break yourself off a piece of yuzushu Kit Kat in Japan. Finally, Nihonsakari has designed a namazake that can sit at room temperature for up to eight months without losing its freshly-squeezed taste.
SAKETIMES NEWS – Oct 1st, 2019
Oct. 1. 2019 writer:
In the news this week: Happy Sake Day! And, enjoy all the sake events of this joyous holiday! Then, one very special Sake Day event in Tokyo may be the chance of a lifetime for aspiring inventors. Last, sake brewery Oujiman creates Hocca, a successful winery that is set to become its own enterprise in 2021.
SAKETIMES NEWS – Sep 24, 2019
Sep. 24. 2019 writer:
In the news this week: The makers of Dassai recall thousands of bottles for incorrect ABV labels. Then, the hottest spot in Meguro is shaping up to be LDH Kitchen Izakaya Aobadai run by pop group Exile’s Kenchi Tachibana. Finally, does singing to sake make it taste better? Kakuboshi Co. aims to find out.
SAKETIMES NEWS – Sep 17, 2019
Sep. 17. 2019 writer:
In the news this week: A great opportunity to get a crash course in ochoko sake cups comes to Sydney, Australia. Then, one company is helping weary brewery owners find suitable heirs to their legacies. Finally, those who like their sake fruity ought to check out a new variety made with kiwi fruit yeast.
SAKETIMES NEWS – Sep 10, 2019
Sep. 10. 2019 writer:
In the news this week: Gekkeikan Special Free promises the great taste of a daiginjo sake without any alcohol or sugar. Then, stop by Silencio in Hong Kong for dinner and have a glass of sake on the house. Finally, after losing a year to devastating rains, the Sake Matsuri in Hiroshima makes its triumphant return.
![Lucky Bottle [Mokkedano Tsuruoka]](https://en.sake-times.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/sake-news-20190903-04-250x160.png)
SAKETIMES NEWS – Sep 3, 2019
Sep. 3. 2019 writer:
In the news this week: Exile dancer and Sake Samurai Kenchi Tachibana joins Matsumoto Sake Brewery to create his own take on sake. Then, sake drinkers can now take up stamp collecting at the same time with an upcoming guidebook for Kanto area eateries. Finally, sake fans can take a chance with some Lucky Bottles and help quake-affected breweries in the process.
SAKETIMES NEWS – Aug 27, 2019
Aug. 27. 2019 writer:
In the news this week: It’s time again for the Fushimi Sake Festival to hit the streets of Kyoto. Then, one of Japan’s biggest sake brands, Hakkaisan, ventures into the whiskey market next year. Finally, buying sake outside Japan is about to get a lot more straightforward with new, standardized information labels.
SAKETIMES NEWS – Aug 20, 2019
Aug. 20. 2019 writer:
In the news this week: Kanpai in perfect harmony with a new set of musical brass sake cups. Then, a new type of filter that can mellow the flavor of any alcoholic drink is taking crowdfunding by storm. Finally, an entire sake brewery got accepted to a university in Hokkaido and will start operation on its campus next year.
