Tag Archives: Sake Breweries

Shizuoka Sake Tasting: Morimoto Brewery/Sayogoromo Chouki Ikusei Shikomi Junmai

June 26, 2010 dragonlife 2 Comments

Hidetoshi Morimoto, owner and brewmaster at Morimoto Brewery in Kikugawa City, is at it again! That is, he just will not “follow the lines” and call his brews as others, more traditionally-minded, would…
This sake, which should have been simply called a “Yamahai” finds itself slated as “Chouki Ikusei Shubo Shikomi Junmai, meaning a “junmai which has nurtured for a long time in my sake factory”!
Well, I don’t mind Hidetoshi’s idyosincracies as long as he creates these marvels!

Rice milled down to 60% (koji/fermented rice) and 65% (plain rice)
Alcohol: 15~16 degrees/genshu/no water added
Bottled in May 2010
Contents: 1.8 l

Clarity: very clear
Colour: transparent
Aroma: Fruity, complex, sweetish. Banana, vanilla with memories nuts and coffee beans.
Body: Fluid
Taste: Dry attack backed with some alcohol. Warms up the back of the palate.
Dry pineapple.
Disappears fairly quickly with memories of nuts, macadamia nuts and custard.
Stays very dry with food with more pineapple.
Surprising “gap” between aroma and taste.

Overall: A typical sake from Morimoto Brewery!
Hidetoshi Morimoto cares little about “pleasing people”… His sake, in spite of making use of Shizuoka yeast are “off the norm” in this Prefecture.
A sake for all seasons and all meals, although eminently enjoyable on its own.
Definitely on the “macho side”, uncompromising!

The Japan Blog List

———————————
Must-see tasting websites:
-Sake: Tokyo Through The Drinking Glass, Tokyo Foodcast, Urban Sake, Sake World
-Wine: Palate To Pen, Warren Bobrow, Cellar Tours, Ancient Fire Wines Blog
-Beer: Good Beer & Country Boys, Another Pint, Please!
-Japanese Pottery to enjoy your favourite drinks: Yellin Yakimono Gallery
——————————–
Please check the new postings at:
sake, shochu and sushi

—————————————-
日本語のブログ
—————————————-

Uncategorized

Shizuoka Sake Tasting: Hatsu Kame Brewery/Futsushu

June 26, 2010 dragonlife 2 Comments

Sake can be truly extravagant in Shizuoka Prefecture, when you realize that futsushu/regular sake accounts for only 18% of its total production as compared to over 60% nationwide.
Not only this but futsushu made here uses rice that has been polished down to 70% and even less!

Hatsukame Brewery/Futsushu
Rice milled down to 65%

Clarity: very clear
Color: transparent
Aroma: discreet, fruity, almonds, nuts
Body: velvety
Taste: Sweetish attack. Shortish tail. Fruity: almonds, nuts, bitter chocolate.
Keeps well with any food.
Overall: Pleasant on the palate and tongue. Eminently drinkable.
Simply extravagant for a futsushu.
Great with food. Drinks up very quickly.
Can be savoured chilled, at room temperature or lukewarm (“nurukan”).
Certainly qualify for more than as futsushu/regular.

—————————————-
日本語のブログ
—————————————-

Uncategorized

18th Shidabeya Bishu Monogatari Sake Festival 2010 In Yaizu City

June 4, 2010 dragonlife 2 Comments

On the 3rd of June 2010, like every first Sunday of June for the last 18 years, six breweries from Central Shizuoka Pefecture held their Shidabeya (Shida Country) Bishoku (Beautiful Sake) Monogatari (Story) Festival at Shofukaku Hotel in Yaizu City atop the cliff overlooking the Suruga Bay.

I had the pleasure to find some old acquaintances at the Guests’ Table including good old John Gauntner with whom we shared beutiful sake and some good food, including a dessert made with sake kasu/sake white lees!

The six breweries taking part were Oomuraya Brewery from Shimada City and Shidaizumi Brewery from Fujieda City.

Aoshima Brewery in Fujieda City.
Mr. Aoshima asked to convey his warm regards to Melinda!

Sugii Brewery in Fujieda City.

Hatsukame Brewery in Okabe Cho (the name has changed unfortunately! I mean the city!).

Isojiman Brewery which won two gold medals in London last month!

400 guests were present to share the fun. Seats are increasingly difficult to obtain as they are usually all booked a year in advance!

Looking forward to sampling all those great sake again next year!

RECOMMENDED RELATED WEBSITES:
-Sake: Tokyo Through The Drinking Glass, Tokyo Foodcast, Urban Sake, Sake World
-Wine: Palate To Pen, Ancient Fire Wines Blog
-Beer: Good Beer & Country Boys, Another Pint, Please!
-Japanese Pottery to enjoy your favourite drinks: Yellin Yakimono Gallery
Warren Bobrow
Tokyo Terrace

Uncategorized

Shizuoka Sake Tasting: Sogatsuru-Hagi No Kura Brewery-Kazutoyo

June 3, 2010 dragonlife Leave a comment

This could very well be the last bottle I drink from Sogatsuru-Hagi No Kura Brewery in Kakegawa City as Hagi No Kura Brewery has definitely left Sogatsuru after buying Yoshiya Brewery’s license and moved to Shizuoka City this April although they could have done it last year!

Sogatsuru-Hagi No Kura Brewery, “Kazutoyo” kakegawajyo/Kakegawa Castle Junmai Ginjo

Alcohol: 15~16 degrees
Rice milled down to 55%
Bottled in March 2003

Clarity: very clear
Colour: transparent
Aroma: Fruity. Alcohol. Pineapple, banana.
Body: Fluid
Taste: Fruity and soft attack backed up with junmai petillant.
Dissipates quickly.
Complex. Almonds, nuts with memories of banana and coconuts.
Dry finish. Welcome acidity.
Holds its well with any food.

Overall: Despite its ginjo level, a sake fit for food.
Straightforward and unpretentious sake. Thoroughly enjoyable.
Delicious combination of sweetness and acidity.

Will miss that grand name, although I can expect the same from the new brewery!

Uncategorized

Isojiman Brewery awarded 2 Gold Medals at International Wine Challenge 2010!

May 20, 2010 dragonlife Leave a comment

(Courtesy of Shizuoka Shinbun, May 20th, 2010)

Great news for Shizuoka Sake!
Isojiman Brewery in Yaizu City, Shizuoka Prefecture has been awarded 2 Gold Medals at the International Wine Challenge 2010 announced on May 19th 2010.

The two Gold Awards were won in the following categories:

-Junmai: Isojiman Omachi Tokubetsu Junmai

-Junmai Ginjo & Junmai Daiginjo: Isojiman Dai Ginjo Junmai

The sake section was inaugurated in 2007.
This year saw a total of 405 entries representing 176 breweries from all over Japan in 5 different divisions.

Last year, for their first participation, Isojiman had already garnered a siver medal in the Ginjo & Daiginjo Division.

Congratulations!

Uncategorized

Shizuoka Sake Tasting: Kanzawagawa Brewery-Shosetsu Futsushu

May 12, 2010 dragonlife Leave a comment

Kanzawagawa Brewery is also an old establishment located very near the sea at Yui, Shimizu Ku, Shziuoka City along the old Tokaido Road.
They have the merit to still make absolutely extravagant “futsushu/regular sake” at ridiculous prices.

Like most of all futsushu (only 18% of the total production, probably the lowest in Japan), the bottles are adorned with old traditional designs!. As they are easy to conserve thy would make the perfect souvenir back home in the rest of world!

Kansawa Brewery: Shosetsu Futsushu

Alcohol: 15~16 degrees
Rice milled down to 70%
Bottled in January 2010

Clarity: very clear
Colour: transparent
Aroma: Strong attack upon opening the bottle. Tends to dissipate quickly.
Fruity. Bitter chocolate, banana, macadamia nuts
Body: fluid
Taste: Dry attack backed up by delicious alcohol and a basket of dry nuts and bananas.
Complex/not straightforward for a fustushu.
Pleasantly warming up back of the palate with plenty of dry almonds, finishing on a pleasant acid note.
Holds its own well with any food with an accentuated dryness.

Overall: A sake for all meals, although eminently drinkable on its own.
Certainly not the “image” of the futsushu, but futsushu are simply extravagant in Shizuoka Prefecture, considering that the rice millage would qualify it as premium sake!

Uncategorized

Shizuoka Sake Tasting: Eikun Brewery-Eikun Futsushu

May 12, 2010 dragonlife Leave a comment

Eikun Brewery is an old establishment “lost” in the mountains facing the sea at Yui, Shimizu Ku, Shziuoka City.
They have the merit to still make absolutely extravagant “futsushu/regular sake” at ridiculous prices.

Eikun: Futsushu
Alcohol: 15~16 degrees
Rice milled down to 70%
Bottled in January 2010

Clarity: very clear
Colour: transparent
Aroma: Fruity, ricey
Body: Fluid
Taste: Dry and soft attack. Discreet.
Fruity and nutty: macadamia nuts, almonds, coconuts.
Disappears quickly with dry nuts.
tends to come up with new facets with the second and third sip (glass).

Overall: Very elegant and extravagant for a futsushu.
Goes well with any food.
A sake for everyday home drinking!

Uncategorized

Shizuoka SakeTasting: Sanwa Brewery-Garyubai Junmai Genshu

May 4, 2010 dragonlife Leave a comment

Sanwa Brewery in Shimizu Ku, Shizuoka City is one of the oldest still active breweries in Shizuoka Prefecture as it was founded in 1686 in Edo Era. Shimizu and Shizuoka were completely separated then. the Name “Sanwa/三和” could be literally translated as the “triple harmony” as it is actually the merger of three different breweries when Sanwa acquired neighbouring Koizumike and Shimizu Breweries about 30 years ago.

Sanwa Brewery, whose brewermaster hails from the Nanbu School in Iwate Prefecture, has the particularity of being the only brewery in Shizuoka Prefecture not to use the Shizuoka yeast, but nonetheless has conducted fruitful research in alternative rice strains.

Sanwa Brewery-Garyubai Junmai Genshu:

Rice: Nihonbare 100%
Rice milled down to 60%
Alcohol: 16~17 degrees (genshu/no pure water added)
Dryness: +2
Acidity: 1.5
Contents: 1.8l
Bottled in March 2010

-Clarity: very clear

-Colour: transparent

-Aroma: Complex. Fruity and flowery. Apricot, bitter chocolate

-Body: Fluid

-Taste: Strong and delicious alcohol attack with junmai petillant back-up warming back of the palate.
Complex. Fruity: Pineapple, apricot, flowers, memories of bitter chocolate and coffee beans.
Lingers for a short while with a sweetish note ending in nuts.
Holds its own well with any food.

My nurukan set!

As “nurukan” (40~45 degrees), comes with dry nuts. Very pleasant with any food.

Overall: A slightly extravagant sake for any food, although one can definitely enjoy it for its own sake (sorry for the pun!)
Could be considered as a “strong” sake in Shizuoka Prefecture.
Definitely the type of sake for a Japanese dining party!

Uncategorized

Shizuoka SakeTasting: Fuji-Takasago Brewery-Takasago Premium Yamahai Dai-Ginjo Genshu Nama

April 27, 2010 dragonlife Leave a comment

Fuji-Takasago Brewery certainly makes for long titles!
Located in Fujinomiya City, it is not truly a completely local brewery as it has been absorbed in a bigger conglomerate of the same name.
On the other hand, regular staff are local and the concept of sake brewing is very much according to the Shizuoka tradtion and tastes.

This particular bottle is pretty rare as only 30 (720 ml) of them were made before the rest of the batch was modified with water and more sterilization.

The sake was brewed according to the Yamahai method.
Although it is not a junmai (alcohol was added), it is a genshu, meaning than no pure water was further added to lower the alcohol content. Moreover it is a “nama”, meaning unpasteurized.

Fuji-Takasago Brewery-Takasago Premium Yamahai Dai-Ginjo Genshu Nama

Rice: Yamada Nishiki 100%
Rice milled down to 50%
Alcohol content: 18~19 degrees
Bottled in March 2010
Limited edition: 30 (720 ml) bottles

Clarity: very clear

Colour: Transparent

Aroma: Fruity, complex, fleeting, Pineapple, coconuts.

Body: Fluid

Taste: Sweetish attack. Turns dry and deliciously acid very quickly.
Complex. Cherries, coconuts, mirabelles, pineappple.
Fades away very quickly with notes of bitter chocolate, apricot, coffee beans and dry almonds.
Surprisingly mild for such a high alcohol content.
Holds its own so well with any food.

Overall: Surprisingly elegant for a Yamahai.
No wonder so many breweries in Shizuoka are tackling this kind of sake judged “rustic” in other Prefectures. Shizuoka yeast influence?
Most probably.
Another sake for all seasons, to be appreciated at all temperatures on its own or with food, chilled, at room temperature or “nurukan” (40~45 degrees)!

Uncategorized

Shizuoka Sake Tasting: Takashima Brewery/Hakuin Masamune

April 20, 2010 dragonlife Leave a comment

Takashima Brewery in Numazu has been receiving a lot of attention in Japan these last two years after being given the accolade by DANCYU magazine last year. Its brews are avidly searched through the nation. Although they are readuly available in Shizuoka, they are still a rarity elsewhere, except maybe in Tokyo.

Takashima Brewery: Hakuin Masamune, Shoukumi Mizu Junmaishyu Season III

This is a sake out of the ordinary as only 100% (1 to 1) ratio of water has been used in brewing the sake, whereas modern method makes use of 130~140% of water (rice being the basic 100% ratio base).
Furthermore it had been made in the old fashion when sake traders added water to sake bought in kegs to make it milder to the taste.
The alcohol was also lower than in present days.
Accordingly, takashima Brewery kept the alcohol level of this particular brew lower than usual as an experiment

Rice: Homarefuji and Aichi no Kaori (Shizuoka Prefecture)
Rice milled down to 60% (Homarefuji) and 65% (Aichi no Kaori)
Alcohol: under 15 degrees
Contents: 1.8l
Bottled in March 2010

Clarity: very clear

Colour: Golden hue

Aroma: Complex, flowery and fruity: pineapple, almonds.

Body: fluid

Taste: Soft and dry attack backed by junmai petilllant tingle.
Linger for a short while with a sweetish flowery note.
Complex, dry and fruity. Pienapple, almonds, brown sugar and apricots.
Very soft and pleasant on the palate.
Holds its own well with food with welcome acid note.

Overall: A sake for all seasons.
To be enjoyed chilled, at room temperature or “nurukan” (45 degrees).
Typical of Takashima Brewery.
Should please both ladies and gentlemen on its own or with any kind of meal.
An extremely underrated beauty!

Uncategorized

Shizuoka Sake Tasting 3/7: Doi Brewery/Kaiun-Sakura Hana

April 5, 2010 dragonlife Leave a comment

In spite of the passing away of the nationally famous sake masterbrewer, Mr Hase, his apprentices have taken up the job of continuing producing brews in the greatest Noto tradition (Noto peninsula in Ishikawa Prefecture) at Doi Brewery in Kakaegawa City and helped maintain the highest rank for the pleasure of all.

Kaiun Sakura Hana is a regular feature put out just before the cherry blossom season for which the magnificent Doi Brewery is celebrated for.

There are very few indications as to how the sake is made, but it is a Junmai Ginjo.

Doi Brewery: Kaiun Sakura No Hana

Rice milled down to 50%
Alcohol:15~16 degrees
Bottles in March 2010

Clarity: very clear

Colour: Faint golden hue

Aroma: Fruity and flowery: banana, pineapple, peaches. Strong and extremely pleasant

Body: smooth and solid

Taste: Dryish attack, junmai tingle, shortish tail.
Fruity and complex.
Bananas, dry almonds, later backed up by coffee beans and bitter chocolate and peaches.
Very soft at the back of the mouth.
Holds its own well with food with a drier note.

Overall: A beautiful, very flowery sake to be enjoyed on its own, although it goes well with any food. Best appreciated at room temperature, although many will like it slightly chilled. Feminine in aroma, but more direct in taste!

RECOMMENDED RELATED WEBSITES:
-Sake: Tokyo Through The Drinking Glass, Tokyo Foodcast, Urban Sake, Sake World
-Wine: Palate To Pen
-Beer: Good Beer & Country Boys, Another Pint, Please!
-Japanese Pottery to enjoy your favourite drinks: Yellin Yakimono Gallery
Warren Bobrow
Tokyo Terrace

Uncategorized

Shizuoka Sake Tasting 1/9: Morimoto Brewery/Sayogoromo

March 1, 2010 dragonlife Leave a comment

Whereas most brewers in Shizuoka Prefecture concoct soft, almost feminine, sake, Hidetoshi Morimoto, Masterbrewer/owner of Morimoto Brewery in Kikugawa City has often taken the notorious role of a maverick to the delight of lovers of characterful brews bordering on the impertinent.

The latest of his creations is definitely out of the ordinary in this Prefecture famed for making some of the best (popular?) sake in Japan, especially when ones notices that Hidetoshi Morimoto doesn’t bother much about giving all kinds of information usually found in this Prefecture.

Morimoto Brewery, Sayogoromo, Tokubetsu Junmai.

Rice milled down to 60%
Alcohol: 15 degrees

Clarity: Very clear and clean.

Colour: Faint golden hue.

Aroma: Fruity and complex: bananas, pineapple, alcohol, almonds.

Body: Smooth and solid.

Taste: Strong junmai attack. Great combination offruitiness and acidity. Shortish tail. Complex: bananas and flowers.
Abruptly ends on a dry almond note.
Holds well with any food.

Overall: Unusually “macho” sake for Shizuoka, typical of Morimoto brewery sakes.
Great with strong food, especially yakitori and nabe.
Drunk on its on, will please lovers of strong and characteful sakes.

Uncategorized

17th Shida Heiya Bishu Story

June 6, 2009 dragonlife Leave a comment

SHIDA-09-8
Shidaizumi Brewery Sakes

On Wednesday June 3rd, six breweries located in the centre of Shizuoka Prefecture held their 17th Annual Event, Shida Heiya Bishu Story 2009 in Yaizu City at Shofukaku Hotel.

SHIDA-09-1

This has become a real event in recent years, for which the 400 seats are sold out months before the event in spite of very few seats reserved for special guests like John Gauntner, the foreign authority on Japanese Sake who has to come all the way from Kamakura.
This time I was spared from making the kampai speech (John took care of that!) and could concentrate on the event on the full, taking my time to say hello to everyone and visit every stand for a hearty taste of some sublime brews!

SHIDA-09-2
Aoshima Brewery (Kikuyoi/Fujieda City)

SHIDA-09-3
Sugii Brewery (Suginishiki/Fujieda City)

SHIDA-09-4
Isojiman Brewery (Yaizu City)

SHIDA-09-5
Oomuraya Brewery (Wakatake/Shimada City)

SHIDA-09-6
Hatsukame Brewery (Okabe Cho)

SHIDA-09-7
Shidaizumi Brewery (Fujieda City)

SHIDA-09-9

Took the time to take a pic of a new brand by Oomuraya Brewery to commemorate the new Mount Fuji-Shizuoka Airport in Shimada City!

SHIDA-09-11

The hotel served us an excellent Japanese meal!

SHIDA-09-12

Including Sashimi!

SHIDA-09-13

And Sushi!

Looking forward to participating to next year’s event!
Before that I will make sure to visit all those breweries again!

Must-see tasting websites:
-Sake: Tokyo Through The Drinking Glass, Tokyo Foodcast, Urban Sake, Sake World
-Wine: Palate To Pen
-Beer: Good Beer & Country Boys, Another Pint, Please!
-Japanese Pottery to enjoy your favourite drinks: Yellin Yakimono Gallery

HOMEPAGE (Japanese)
Please check the new postings at:
sake, shochu and sushi

—————————————-
日本語のブログ
—————————————-

Uncategorized

Shizuoka Local Food at Local Sake Brewery!

March 20, 2009 dragonlife 15 Comments

yui-2

Last Sunday, I was invited to taste the new sake brewed by Kansawagawa Brewery In Yui, Shimizu Ku, Shizuoka City in the company of some old and new friends.
The purpose of the whole event was first to visit the brewery and being introduced to the arcan secrets of making sake:

I doubt that you are ready to read the whole sake brewery interview unless you are a sake fan. A more detailed report will eventually appear on Shizuoka Sake blog for the connoiseurs!

yui-9

The Brewery owner. Mr. Masataka Mochizuki, is a bit different from your usual owner. Most of his colleagues in Japan do not interfere whatsoever with the brewing and care only about the sale. On the other hand, Masataka Mochizuki is very passionate and even stubborn about his sake. He is far more knowlegeable about the craft than many owners and truly enjoys explaining and discussing the art.

yui-1

We had agreed on the idea to actually conduct the tasting of his new brews with purely local food.
A dinner was accordingly served to us inside the Brewery!
Now, Kansawagawa Brewery is located in Yui-Cho, Shimizu Ku, Shizuoka City, a harbour renown all over Japan for its delicacy, “Sakura Ebi/Cherry Shrimp”, a variety found only in our Prefecture. The catches being strictly regulated, it is a rare morsel outside our Prefecture.

yui-21

The dinner served to us included naturally rice and miso soup and:

yui-3
Boiled Sakura Ebi Salad,

yui-5

Sashimi plate. All seafood caught off Shizuoka shores!
Maguro/Tuna (top), Aji/Saurel and Hirame/Sole!

yui-4

Sakura Ebi Kakiage/Sakura Shrimps Tenpura. I know a lot of people in Tokyo who would take the first train to taste that!

yui-71

Freshly boiled Ika/Cuttlefish. Great with sake.
The small plate contains pickled sakura shrimps.

yui-6

Grilled Ishidai/Snapper served cold. An extravagant morsel to go with sake!

yui-8

And the sake!
The two with a “number” were not even for sale as they are still in the experimental phase!

Anyway, if you have the occasion to visit Yui, you will know that the real “package” is waiting for you!

Please check the new postings at:
sake, shochu and sushi

—————————————-
日本語のブログ
—————————————-

Uncategorized

Umeshu: Sanwa Brewery

November 11, 2008 dragonlife Leave a comment

The Japan Blog List

Please check the new postings at:
sake, shochu and sushi

—————————————-
日本語のブログ
—————————————-

Umeshu comes under different guises in Japan, but if you buy one instead of making it yourself make sure you buy one brewed by a reputable Brewery!
In Shizuoka Prefecture, umeshu is an extravagant affair when made by the local breweries.
Sanwa Brewery in Shimizu Ku, Shizuoka City is no exception!

Sanwa Brewery Garyubai Umeshu

Alcohol: 12 degrees (fairly low for Shizuoka but still high when compared with cheap stuff!)
Ingredients: Japanese Plum (“Ume”), Sake. Sugar.

Clarity: Very clear at rest. Smoky if stirred beforehand
Colour: Orange/sepia
Aroma: Ver fragrant and sweet plums.
Body: Velvety~fluid
Taste: Dry attack, turns sweet later. Shortish tail. Very pleasant impression. Elegant.

Overall: Very enjoyable and easy to drink.
Fine at room temperature.
Makes for a great aperitif when chilled.
Great with cheese at room temperature.
Elegant beverage. Should please both ladies and gentlemen!