The ninth installment of "SAKE x NOMY," a sake seminar allowing participants to enjoy Japanese sake at home while listening to explanations from brewers, was held on Saturday, June 20th.

"SAKE x NOMY" is an online tasting event launched at the initiative of Hideki Nakata to invigorate the sake industry, which has been facing severe challenges due to event cancellations caused by the spread of COVID-19.

Each session features a different brewery, and participants can receive lectures from the brewers while savoring sake delivered to their homes in advance.

The ability to ask real-time questions to the brewers is another appealing aspect, and the event has garnered strong support from sake enthusiasts as it continues to be held.

This time, Junichiro Aihara from Aihara Shuzo in Hiroshima Prefecture and Hideki Kaneko from Kaneko Shuzo, also in Hiroshima, were invited to taste their flagship brands: "Begou no Tsuki," "Kamoshi Kinryu," and "Sakurafubuki." This marked the first time two brewers appeared in the same event.

For the event, Aihara Shuzo provided "Begou no Tsuki Junmai Daiginjo," "Begou no Tsuki Tokubetsu Junmai Jusan-ya," and "Tobindori Begou no Tsuki Junmai Daiginjo." Kaneko Shuzo offered "Kamoshi Kinryu Junmai Daiginjo 35," "Kamoshi Kinryu Tokubetsu Junmai 13," and "Sakurafubuki Daiginjo"—a total of six varieties.

Participants received two to four bottles of sake, depending on the ticket price. All were products with limited distribution, and "Tobindori Begou no Tsuki Junmai Daiginjo" was particularly noteworthy as a non-sale item not available on the market.

"We specially prepared this for everyone participating in this event," said Mr. Aihara. The opportunity to taste sake unavailable elsewhere surely offered value beyond the participation fee.

As they both continue sake brewing in Hiroshima and their breweries are relatively close, the two have a daily exchange and the seminar proceeded in a consistently relaxed atmosphere. Each explained their brewing philosophies using slides and videos.

Particularly intriguing was the episode concerning a special sake created by exchanging koji from each other's breweries.

"I believe 70% of a sake's flavor is determined by the koji," Mr. Aihara stated, highlighting koji's crucial role in brewing. Koji is akin to a 'trade secret' for each brewery, making their exchange a surprising move within the industry.

"While drinking together after leaving Hiroshima Station, Mr. Aihara and I said, 'Wouldn't it be interesting to do something?' and the idea of exchanging koji came up casually in conversation."

Contrary to their expectations that brewery staff might object, the members readily agreed, allowing the project to commence.

"I thought the sake would taste completely different with the swapped koji, but I was surprised that our brewery's character still shone through more than I imagined. It was a valuable learning experience."

"We always want to try new things. Perhaps exchanging staff or collaborating on production could be interesting next time."

Their passion and playfulness, aimed not only at promoting their own brands but also at revitalizing sake from Hiroshima and the entire Japanese sake industry, were palpable. Understanding the brewers' personalities and their dedication to their craft undoubtedly enhances the appreciation of their sake.

The next "SAKE x NOMY" event, for which tickets are currently available, is the 12th installment, scheduled for Sunday, July 5th.

Two female brewers are confirmed to participate: Miho Imada from "Fukuchou" and Miho Fujita from "Yuhou." Their brewing philosophies, shared from a female perspective, are highly anticipated.

Tickets are on sale via PassMarket. Several ticket options with different prices are available, allowing attendees to choose the course that best suits their needs. Further event information will be announced on the SakenomyOfficial Website.

SAKE x NOMY VOL.12
Date & Time | Sunday, July 5, 2020, 18:00-19:30
Brewers | Miho Imada / Imada Shuzo Honten Co., Ltd., Miho Fujita / Misuzu Shuzo Co., Ltd.
Sales Period | Until Wednesday, July 1, 2020, 10:00
Participation Fee | From ¥5,000
*Tickets are available in three types, depending on the sake lineup and quantity.
URL |https://passmarket.yahoo.co.jp/event/show/detail/01qcmb111e15u.html