Sake Deep Dive

Discover the sake culture of Okayama, from its rich history to the challenges faced by Bichu Toji brewers. Learn about the significance of Asahi Mai rice, the decline of breweries, and success stories of Tsuji Honten and Shiragiku. Explore sake misconceptions and a delightful recommendation from Okayama City.

Andrew and Jim explore the history and brewing process of Kenbishi sake, discussing traditional techniques like Dakidaru and Futakoji. They highlight the brand's longevity, commitment to quality, and unique approach to sake making. The episode delves into the brewery's heritage, woodcrafting workshop, and business opportunities in the sake industry.

Andy and Jim dive deep into the world of kijoshu sake, discussing its origins, trademarking, and unique brewing techniques. They explore the parallels between kijoshu and noble rot wines, share recommendations, and highlight the exclusivity of this premium sake style.

Finally, the European masters have introduced the world of sake to the power of blending, something that no one in sake’s centuries of history ever thought of before. Or, not. Jim and Andy stir things up with a talk about the real, and very long, history of blending sake in all its many shapes and forms. Vocabulary from this episode Arabashiri - The initial “rough run” of sake from a pressing. Nakatori - The middle, and often considered best, run of a pressing of sake. Seme - The final cut, sometimes considered the “dregs” or tailings of a pressing of sake. Chogo - The Japanese word for blending, as in sake. Recommended Sake Andy - Kuromatsu Kenbishi  Jim - Miyoshi Hana  Our theme music is from  Lotus Lane by The Loyalist - Preconceived Notions Available at https://soundcloud.com/preconceived-notions Under a  Creative Commons — Attribution 3.0 Unported— CC BY 3.0 Free Download / Stream: https://bit.ly/lotus-lane Music promoted by Audio Library https://youtu.be/1YVHRMVwwHg 

Andy and Jim explore the history of Nara as an early center for sake development and innovation. From rice polishing to branding, there's a solid argument that this is where sake as a consumer good was born. Vocabulary from this episode: Katahaku - Sake that used polished rice for only the mashing rice. Morohaku - Sake brewed with polished rice in both Koji and kakemai Recommended Sake Andy - Yucho Shuzo Takacho Junmai Bodaimoto Jim - Kubo Honke Nemuryu Kimoto Junmai Jukusei Our theme music is from  Lotus Lane by The Loyalist - Preconceived Notions Available at https://soundcloud.com/preconceived-notions Under a  Creative Commons — Attribution 3.0 Unported— CC BY 3.0 Free Download / Stream: https://bit.ly/lotus-lane Music promoted by Audio Library https://youtu.be/1YVHRMVwwHg 

Your humble hosts look over developments in the types of tanks used through history. It's a great chance to reflect on the surprising links between material advancements, brewing technology, and market demands.  Vocabulary from this episode Horo - Enamel coating used on metal tanks Kame - A general term for large ceramic jars/tanks used for storing or fermenting Kioke - Wooden tanks  Taru - A wooden cask or keg used for storing and transporting sake Recommended Sake Andy - Kikumasamune Taruzake Jim - Aramasa Cosmos  Our theme music is from  Lotus Lane by The Loyalist - Preconceived Notions Available at https://soundcloud.com/preconceived-notions Under a  Creative Commons — Attribution 3.0 Unported— CC BY 3.0 Free Download / Stream: https://bit.ly/lotus-lane Music promoted by Audio Library https://youtu.be/1YVHRMVwwHg 

Time at last for Andy and Jim to tackle the beast that is the junmai ideology. This time the gents look at just how junmai became such a hot topic, what it really means for the brewing industry, and the figures behind its postwar “revival,” if that’s what it really is.  Vocabulary from this episode Aruten - Brewer’s alcohol added. Short for arukoru tenka Komedake no osake - sake made from only rice/rice koji/yeast. Mutenka - Nothing added Recommended Sake Andy - Gokyo Kiokezukuri Junmai  Jim - Ryujinmaru Junmai Nama Genshu Our theme music is from  Lotus Lane by The Loyalist - Preconceived Notions Available at https://soundcloud.com/preconceived-notions Under a  Creative Commons — Attribution 3.0 Unported— CC BY 3.0 Free Download / Stream: https://bit.ly/lotus-lane Music promoted by Audio Library https://youtu.be/1YVHRMVwwHg

We are finishing our series on Japan's major brewing regions in Fushimi, Kyoto. Built around the palace of one of Japan's most powerful warlords, we discuss how this once-sleepy town literally cleaned its way to becoming one of Japan's most famous brewing regions. Vocabulary from this Episode gokusui: fragrant water kinmeisui: Golden Water ginmeisui: Silver Water Recommended Sake: Andy - Souku Usu-Nigori Jim - Sho Chiku Bai Our theme music is from  Lotus Lane by The Loyalist - Preconceived Notions Available at ⁠https://soundcloud.com/preconceived-notions⁠ Under a  Creative Commons — Attribution 3.0 Unported— CC BY 3.0 Free Download / Stream: https://bit.ly/lotus-lane Music promoted by Audio Library https://youtu.be/1YVHRMVwwHg 

Saijo - Sake Theme Park The second of our series on Japan’s major brewing regions takes us to Hiroshima’s Saijo. This little town built on sake brewing is a sake lover’s dream. Seven breweries in close proximity, with museums, shops, and tasting opportunities galore. Come learn how it got to be this way in the latest Sake Deep Dive! Vocabulary from this episode Shuto: Affectionate name for Saijo meaning sake capital. Sake kabu: A brewing license system enforced by the Tokugawa shogunate. Recommended Sake Andy - Kirei Mannen  Jim - Kamotsuru Daiginjo Tokubetsu Gold Our theme music is from  Lotus Lane by The Loyalist - Preconceived Notions Available at https://soundcloud.com/preconceived-notions Under a  Creative Commons — Attribution 3.0 Unported— CC BY 3.0 Free Download / Stream: https://bit.ly/lotus-lane Music promoted by Audio Library https://youtu.be/1YVHRMVwwHg 

This month’s topic is big, literally.  In the first of a special three-part series, we explore Nada; the biggest, boldest, and most storied sake region of them all. Does Nada’s sake still have relevance within today's craft-orientated industry? Is it all just soulless, machine-made plonk for the masses? Join us to hear our thoughts on this enigmatic behemoth of the sake industry.      Vocabulary from this episode   Nada Go-Go: Indicating the so-called 5 villages of Nada. From east to west, they are Nishi, Mikage, Uozaki, Nishinomiya and Imazu. Kudari-zake: Sake that was ‘’sent down’’ from the Kamigata region (modern-day Kyoto and the surrounding vicinity) during the Edo period.   Recommended Sake Andy – Hakushika Kuromatsu Jim – Kenbishi Kuromatsu