Sake Revolution

Season 1. Episode 32. This week, Timothy and John connect with a special guest for an interview and tasting.  Brian Ashcraft is a well known writer focusing on the subjects of video games and Japanese culture.  His most recent publication is The Japanese Sake Bible: Everything You Need to Know About Great Sake (With Tasting Notes and Scores for Over 100 Top Brands).  It's a marvelous book that takes you deep into the world of sake without being too technical or boring.  Every chapter has individual stories to highlight the topic or area being discussed.  As one would hope, the last section of the book is a tasting guide to over 100 kinds of sake with tasting notes and pictures of the bottles.  Not all the featured sakes are available in the USA, but there are enough to make it really worthwhile.  Sake nerds finally have a Bible of their own - Amen to that!Support the show

Season 1. Episode 31. This episode can be summed up in a word: "Tokubetsu"... now that just means Special.  If you want to short and sweet version you are done! But looking a little deeper, there are a few reasons why a brewery might label a sake their "tokubetsu" or special sake.  In almost all cases, Tokubetsu is applied to either Junmai or Honjozo sakes.  These two Classifications allow for  upgrades to  a "special" classification for a few (sometimes vague) set of circumstances.  To qualify as tokubetsu sake must be milled to 60% or less remaining for either the Junmai or honjozo category.  Another way to qualify for Tokubetsu is to use a special or unique premium sake rice.  Finally you can also use a special  process or production step and print this on the label.  It's a little vague but it boils down to a special process for a special sake.  The majority you will find will be Junmai or Honjozo that are having a serious glow up!  Look for anything "tokubetsu" to find a special sake - guaranteed! Support the show

Season 1. Episode 30. OK, Halloween is around the corner and sake is usually not that scary at all. But what if someone else picked a sake for you – and then you had to taste it blind!? Now we are getting into fearful territory. Well, to celebrate the notion of trick or treat, that is exactly what Tim and John are up to this week. They bought each other a mystery sake that was delivered and served to them completely hidden. John and Tim will taste their respective sakes and try to discover – were they tricked? Or were they treated to something delicious?? Also, each sake may have a spooky connection to something halloween-y… well, in our minds at least! Be sure to listen to the end to hear the big reveal! What sake did John pick for Tim? and vice versa! It’s a  deliciously frightening episode of Sake Revolution!Support the show

Season 1. Episode 29. Sometimes cabin fever gets you down and you just want to get away... and we mean away-away.  That got us thinking, how far west could we go from NYC and still explore a major sake region.  Past Tokyo, Kyoto, Kobe - That landed us on the far, far west of Kyushu Island in Saga Prefecture.  This out of the way gem of a sake region is home to several outstanding breweries and also an "Appellation of Origin" control system which endeavors to  define what "sake from Saga" really is.  John and Timothy tackle two of the most well known breweries in Saga, Amabuki and Tenzan to explore what makes them unique - and what binds them together.  The brewers of Saga are innovative and working hard to create a new generation of sake.  So come fly with us to the far west of Japan to hear the Saga of Saga Kuras.Support the show

Season 1. Episode 28. This is the first in a new series of interviews with U.S. sake brewers.  There are few things more fun for a sake fan, than to sit down and drink a delicious sake with the people who actually brewed it.  For our first brewer interview, we don't stray too far from home. We had a great time talking to our friends Brian Polen and Brandon Doughan of New York's Brooklyn Kura. We hear a bit about how Brooklyn Kura came to be and some of the advantages and disadvantages of brewing sake in the Big City. Also, we explore the learning curve of being the first to open a brewery in New York.  As far as tasting goes, we get to enjoy two of Brooklyn Kura's stand out creations, the #14 Junmai Ginjo Nama and their Catskills Junmai Daiginjo.  Join us for this fun interview with New York's first sake brewery, Brooklyn Kura.Support the show

Season 1. Episode 27. Ok...if I say, "Quick - think of Tokyo!"  What image pops to mind?  Maybe skyscrapers? Over-stuffed subway cars?  Maybe even Blade Runner?? You might be surprised to learn that Tokyo is not just the city proper but also a region (Similar to New York City compared to New York State).  There is lots of countryside with rolling hills and even rivers to explore.  Today takes us beyond the hard driving city and out to the countryside of Tokyo Prefecture.  There you will find picturesque sake breweries that will surprise and delight with their charms. Set your preconceived notions of Tokyo aside and join us in an exploration of the small but delicious world of sake made in Tokyo.Support the show

Season 1. Episode 26. The Revolution will be broadcast live... on Sake Day! As part of the online "Sake Day USA" festival and fundraiser put on by the non-profit American Sake Association, 501(c)(3), Sake Revolution joined in the celebration by streaming a live podcast episode as part of the celebration.  The American Sake Association’s “Sake Day USA” was a virtual gathering on Oct 1st and featured a diverse schedule of sake tastings, seminars, cooking demonstrations, and other fun presentations that allowed anyone to celebrate sake online for Sake Day.  If you'd like to learn more about the American Sake Association or Sake Day USA, please visit this URL: https://americansakeassociation.orgSupport the show

Season 1. Episode 25. Some podcasts have been around for years, but our little sake show has only been on the air for five months.  In that time, with a little hard work and a lot of sake, we've hit two milestones: 5,000 listener downloads and 25 published episodes! What better way to toast our achievement than with the ultimate celebration sake - we are talking sparkling!  Also known as "happo-shu" or "awasake", this spritzy style of sake is having a bit of a renaissance of late.  With the foundation of the Japan Awasake Association in 2016, a number of premier brewers turned their attention to giving sparkling sake an upgrade.  From overly sweet and low alcohol to elegant and refined, the best sparkling sakes are now made under strict guidelines using the "champagne method", that is employing a secondary fermentation in the bottle to create fine and all natural bubbles.  John and Tim look at two different sparkling sakes as they toast this 25th episode.  Here's to many more!  Remember to keep drinking sake and... well, you know what to do! (KANPAI!)Support the show

Season 1. Episode 24. Grab your scarf and your ginko nuts!  Step away from the pumpkin spice!  This week's episode is all about what we refer to as "Fall Nama" or Hiyaoroshi.  This is a type of Namazume that is once pasteurized and released in the fall season.  In addition to Hiyaoroshi, Akiagari is another type of fall sake released on the market at this time.  both of these styles of sake pair well with the japanese foods that come into season in the Fall.  One favorite that John and Timothy share is "ginnan" or ginko nuts.  Roasted with  salt, there is nothing better to nibble on while sipping on fall sake.  This week Timothy and John look at two fantastic sakes that speak to the fall season.  Kid Hiyaoroshi Junmai ginjo and Azuma Rikishi Akiagari Junmai Ginjo.  Both of these sakes have unique characteristics that herald everyone one's favorite season!Support the show

Season 1. Episode 23. This week John and Timothy travel to Hiroshima and reminisce about their trips there.  From the sake neighborhood of Saijo, to back alley unagi restaurants to the magical Miyajima torii gate, Hiroshima has many wonders for the sake lover!  Both sakes we are tasting today celebrate Hiroshima local Hattan-nishiki sake rice - one full bodied and rice-y, one elegant and silky.  One thing that all Hiroshima Sake can connect with is the region's  most famous food  Okonomiyaki!  This savory pancake is a wonder and John points out there is event an Okonomiyaki only shopping center!  Several floors of stalls all dedicated to the same yummy Hiroshima treat.  Next chance you get look for sake from this wonderful part of Japan!Support the show