Sake Revolution

Episode 93. It is a truth universally acknowledged that, when visiting a foreign country, learning a few words of the local language can go a long way to enhancing your experience. We certainly agree and this is doubly true when visiting a sake bar in Japan.  This week, Tim and John will introduce you to their "Survival Japanese" for navigating the all important conversations around ordering sake in Japanese.     Move beyond a simple Kanpai and learn to describe some sake flavors and temperatures in Japanese - all while being exceedingly polite!  Disclaimer for all the linguists out there: This is our rough and tumble survival Japanese, so we're putting exacting grammar and full sentences on the back burner for this episode. To follow along, download our free "Survival Japanese for Sake" cheat sheet PDF at SakeRevolution.com, Onegaishimasu!   #SakeRevolutionSupport the show

Episode 92. Listen at SakeRevolution.com. Are you ready to get EXTREME?  In a new series, Timothy and John explore the fringes of what sake can be, taking on the expressions of sake that really push the envelope.  To start things off, we look at a sake that has undergone only a bit of rice polishing - just a scant 10% milled away to leave us with a full 90% seimaibuai remaining.  Most premium sakes clock in at 70% or often much less of the rice grain remaining.  How will the minimal milling affect the flavor?  This extreme brew comes from Terada Honke Sake Brewery located in Chiba Prefecture.  They take a "low intervention" approach to brewing using ambient yeast, home grown koji mold, organic rice and the old school kimoto yeast starter.  Any natural wine enthusiast would feel right at home with this philosophy.  Listen in to see how this extreme sake fares with Timothy and John.  Be sure to stay tuned for more extreme sake coming soon! #SakeRevolutionSupport the show

Episode 91. This week we train our sake spotlight on another perennial favorite prefecture: Yamagata.  Quite rightly known as the "Ginjo Kingdom", Yamagata has one of the highest percentages of premium sake production of any prefecture in Japan.  The Yamagata Sake Brewer's Association has united the 50 breweries in the prefecture to focus their production, starting in the 1980s, on more aromatic, floral and fruity ginjo style sakes.  There is no better poster child for this than the popular Dewazakura Oka Ginjo sake which made its debut in 1980 and was one of the first brews to help shape the style of the new "Ginjo Kingdom".  Join us and listen in as we explore, study and taste the elegance of all things Yamagata ginjo. #sakerevolutionSupport the show

Episode 90. What better way to kick off a new year on the show than to have a reunion with two ultimate VIPs who are indeed "married to sake".  This time, we get Myshell and Scott, the Sake Revolution Spouses, back for another episode but this time... together!  How did they feel about their previous episodes?  What is it like to be married to a sake-lebrity?  Do they mind being locked away every week while John and Tim Record?  John and Timothy also break out a Hiyaoroshi-style sake to taste with their better-halfs.   Listen in as we enjoy this fall nama in the middle of winter and muse on some fun pairing ideas for this special sake.  You won't want to miss this fun behind-the-scenes episode!Support the show

Episode 89. We've all sipped sake from a glass, and you may have even used sake in cooking, but did you know its also possible to eat your sake as well?  This week John and Timothy take a look at a very unique style of sake called kijoshu.  It is made by replacing some of the water used in creating the fermentation mash with finished sake.  This fortifies the mash and in turn creates a rich, sweet dessert-style sake that is often aged to deepen the flavor. Taste-wise, it could be compared to a sauterne wine or a rich sherry.  Now, you can certainly sip kijoshu from a glass, but we'll explore a totally fun pairing idea that has us reaching for a spoon instead! Listen in and taste along with us as we savor the flavors of kijoshu and try a totally new way to enjoy sake!Support the show

 Episode 88.  This week, something a little different! Back in Oct 2021, John and Timothy were guests on the Japan Eats! Podcast, hosted by our friend Akiko Katayama.  As we take a week off for the holidays, enjoy this replay of our visit to Japan Eats!  The topic was: "You found out you like sake - Now What??"  We had a great time talking with Akiko and we hope you'll enjoy the listen!  We'll be back to our regular format next week.  Until then, Happy New Year and, as always, kanpai!Support the show

Episode 87. With 2021 drawing to a close, it's time to take a look back at the sake year that was.  Join us this week for some casual sipping and some discussion on the highlights, surprises and challenges of this past year's sake adventures. But we're not only looking back, we are also looking ahead to 2022 and coming up with a new set of our annual Sake Revolution Resolutions - setting our sake goals for the year ahead.  Did you have a favorite Sake Revolution Episode from this year?  Let us know in the comments and we look forward to another year of great sake and many kanpais.Support the show

Episode 86.  This week, we take on a listener request and roll out the barrel - the sake barrel that is.  Taru sake is a unique style of sake that is aged in "sugi" or Japanese cedar.  This barrel aging allows the sake to take on a warm, woody and soothing aroma and flavor. At the first sip it is unmistakeable, but also mysterious. Once upon a time in Japan, all sake was Taru, as this wood was the principal material used to construct wooden brewing tanks and shipping barrels. With the advent of stainless steel tanks and glass bottles for shipping in the 20th century, Taru sake has evolved into more of a niche style. For fans of Taru, the finest cedar is recognized as coming from the Yoshino forest in Nara.  So let's listen in as we explore the barrel-aged beauty of taru sake.Support the show

Episode 85. The holidays are here and gift giving is high on the to-do list for a lot of us. One thing that we love to give and receive is, of course, a bottle of sake. But before you pull the trigger there are a number of considerations when giving sake. John and Timothy discuss what types of sake work well for what occasions and how you can dress up a bottle of sake with a stylish “furoshiki” or include a sake cup or carafe along with the bottle. Not sure if your friend is a friend of sake? Reach for our “Crowd Pleaser” sake recommendation which will warm the heart of even the most grinchy-est grinch on your holiday list. A sake with a unique production method or high end design to the packaging is excellent for your recipients who already love sake and will help them dive deeper into their new hobby. So, whether the folks on your list have been naughty or nice, a gift of premium sake is sure to fit the bill!Support the show

Episode 84. The Holidays are our favorite time of year!  And sake, of course, is our favorite beverage. This week, we explore a new project that brings them together like never before. Online sake retailer Namazake Paul has released the first Sake Advent Calendar! That's right! 23 Sake cups and a full size bottle to enjoy on the 24th.  The sake cups arrive in a big rectangular box that, when opened, reveals the cutest illustration of a snowy christmas village filled with cartoon animals enjoying sake and winter fun.  Behind each door, as you'd expect, is a single serving cup of sake.  This was a massive effort to put together and immensely fun to enjoy and explore.  Tim and John taste through Dec 1st and 2nd in this episode and generally just have fun getting into the holiday spirit.  Be sure to visit the episode show notes if you'd like to get information for getting your own sake advent calendar for next year!Support the show