Sake Revolution

Season 1. Episode 47.  Today we focus on another "Sake Spotlight" - this time we travel to the smallest of Japan's main islands - Shikoku - as we visit Kochi prefecture. Kochi is an interesting place for sake.  While it doesn't have a huge amount of sake breweries - just 18 at last count - it does have an oversized amount of local sake culture.  The breweries are known to favor collaboration and this boosts the overall reputation of Kochi sake quite a bit.  In addition to that, Kochi is known as a hard-drinking and rural locale, deeply tied to the bounty of the ocean.  Katsuo no tataki (seared skip jack tuna) is the local mainstay dish - it goes without saying that it pairs to perfection with Kochi's extra-dry style of sake. These generally dry and bolder flavors of Kochi-style sake are easy to love. Kochi also seems to be ground zero for sake drinking games as well. Beer pong, stand aside! Kochi brings us "kiku no hana" a get-drunk-fast scheme involving hiding a chrysanthemum blossom under overturned sake cups and "bekuhai" a game that has us spinning a top and drinking out of some funky looking sake cups - kind of a no-kissing spin the bottle.  The real story here, however, is the hospitality of the people of Kochi - it lies at the source of all the good food and drink of this region.  Join John and Tim as they dive deep into the much loved world of Kochi sakes.Support the show

Season 1. Episode 46. Today we start a new series focusing on what could be considered the real star of the show: sake rice! Let’s call it “Wild Rice”, because, why not. One of the wildest of the wild sake rices is the elder statesman, the real OG, the been-there-done-that sake rice: Of course we are talking about OMACHI. Omachi is often called the “grandfather” of sake rice because it is not a hybrid of other rices, but an original rice strain discovered in the 1850s. Its known as being a little bit hard to cultivate and a bit cantankerous – just like a real grandpa! The trade off for all that bother is that it gives sake a unique, earthy and… hard to describe taste. Robust but complex with a true depth of flavor. Do not miss your chance to visit omachi town during your next sake tasting session. For now, let’s listen in as John and Tim explore the long and winding road that has brought us back to the future of Omachi.Support the show

Season 1. Episode 45. Another in our series of U.S. Sake Brewer interviews takes us to Virginia to talk to Andrew Centofante, Toji and Master Brewer of North American Sake Brewery. Andrew told us about his discovery of premium sake in Japan and then, following his home brewing instincts, he soon found himself propagating koji in his attic and fermenting sake mash low and slow in the basement. By 2018, Andrew was out of the basement and had opened his own brewery - the North American Sake Brewery, which is the first and only kura in Virginia.  Taking his cues from the craft brewing industry, Andrew developed some classic sake styles from Superdry to silky super premiums.  Today, we had the honor to phone a brewer-friend to get a guided tasting with Andrew and explore their "Quiet Giant" Genshu, and the lux "Serenity Now!"  Join us as we explore another cool corner of the USA sake scene: North American Sake Brewery with Andrew Centofante.Support the show

Season 1. Episode 44. Last week was an exploration of bargain brews, so this week it only seems natural to dip our toes into the world of "bougie brews" - and by that we mean sakes that cost over $80 per bottle.  Now this is an area that is reserved usually for special occasion or holiday sake.  But for us this week, we are discussing the virtues of paying more for that premium sake experience.  We think it goes without saying that sakes of all prices can be absolutely delicious, but when you get into the realm of the ultra-premium sakes, can you taste a little something... different?  One area where these spendy sips seem to shine is in their texture/mouthfeel.  Extraordinarily silky and velvety textures are the norm at this price point.  It's one trick that the cheaper sakes just can't pull off.  So let's explore the joys of expensive sake and answer the question - is it worth it?!Support the show

Season 1. Episode 43. When buying sake, price is always a consideration, and compared to wine, imported premium sake usually comes at, well, a premium price. What makes a sake expensive?  The first factor is often the "seimaibuai" or rice milling rate.  The smaller the rice is milled, the more expensive the sake will be. Transportation costs also add to the cost of sake. But are there affordable sakes out there?  Can you find a good sake and a rock bottom price?  This week John and Tim explore sakes that are on the cheaper side, but still shine like a diamond. You don't have to give up good taste to enjoy premium imported sakes.  Just be aware that even the cheapest imported sakes won't be quite as affordable as imported wines, but they will bring value if you enjoy them with food and friends.  Let's discover some bargain brews!Support the show

Season 1. Episode 42. Sake Industry insider Monica Samuels had us at “Cheez-its.” When discussing the latest trends in sake and food pairing, Monica blew our minds suggesting we look into sake and junk food. Believe us, we will. Genius! Getting her start at Sushi Samba in it’s Sex-and-the-City heyday and quickly rising to manage a list of over 100 sakes at a time when most New Yorkers had never even heard of a sake cocktail. Monica tells us about her growing interest in sake that was encouraged by some impressive sake brewery visits to Japan. It wouldn’t be Sake Revolution without a tasting and Monica brought us a doozy to sink our teeth into. From Manatsuru Brewery in Fukui prefecture, we explore the fun and funky Mana 1751 Yamahai Tokubetsu Junmmai Muroka Genshu. The product of a true micro brewery, this is a Yamahai lover’s Yamahai for sure. Join us on our fun and enlightening visit with Monica Samuels!Support the show

Season 1. Episode 41. The word “futsu” in Japanese means regular or ordinary. In the sake industry, Futsushu is the word we use to refer to NON-premium sake. That is regular, ordinary or what some might call “table” sake. However, Futsushu is not one size fits all. What makes ordinary sake ordinary? Often it comes down to the rules and regulations for how premium sake is defined in Japan. With the exception of distilled alcohol, no additives are allowed in premium sake. Rules for so-called regular sake are not as strict – we are talking about the additions of acids, sugar or flavorings – none of these make the cut for premium sake. There are however some sakes that qualify for premium grades that are sold as table sake. So, once size does not fit all when it comes to the extraordinary world of regular sake!Support the show

Season 1. Episode 40.  Today we focus on another "Sake Spotlight" - this time it is the far north prefecture of Iwate.  This is a rural and and sparsely populated part of the country with a total of approximately 20 sake breweries total.  Lots of snow and agriculture, too. Despite it's remote location, sakes from Iwate have made their way around the world and Tim and John will taste two stellar examples of Iwate sake in this spotlight. We explore two well known Iwate brands - Nanbu Bijin and Tsukinowa. If you need a break from sake for any reason, be sure to try the gently competitive "Wanko Soba" challenge which is native to Iwate.  Sake and Soba have ever had a better pairing!   Join us as we dive deep into all things Iwate!Support the show

Season 1. Episode 39.  New Year's resolutions come in all shapes and sizes, but we here on the podcast are looking at our Revolution Resolutions - namely, our sake goals for 2021!  The New year is one of the most important holidays in Japan.  The Japanese flock to their local shinto shrine to pray for a healthy and auspicious new year.  One tradition that is a bit less common is the drinking of Otoso sake.  This is a medicinal sake infused with herbs and spices (cinnamon, ginger, pepper etc).  Tim and John step into the new year with some new sake goals for the new year.  For Tim, it is to drink outside his comfort zone, and as a good first step, he brings in a sweet Junmai Nigori.  John wants to buy more sake locally and hits the japckpot when he finds some wonderful premium sake at his local liquor store.  Here is a toast to 2021, hoping it brings us all more of the sake we love.Support the show

A quick look back on Sake Revolution 2020 and a few hints about whats coming up for 2021.  Happy New Year from Sake Revolution!Support the show