Happy Saturday everyone! The last two weeks have been the wettest and windiest I can remember. So I finally broke down and did what any sensible person would. I took a deep dive into my shochu collection.
To justify my indulgences, I expanded my most popular shochu and awamori post. This guide covers many of the most frequently asked questions in detail. And there’s also some more advanced information too.
There have also been an interesting mix of acquisition news, oddities, and compelling stories published this week.
Shochu and Awamori Guide
Shochu is a beloved spirit within Japan. Outside of the country, it remains mysterious and hard to get.
In this updated post, I answer the fundamental questions about what shochu and awamori are, what they aren’t, and where you can find them.
Deal of the Week: 15% Off Assorted Sake Sets
It’s still going! Get15% off assorted sets with the code SAKESETS.
As an affiliate for Tippsy Sake, I earn commissions on qualifying purchases.
Japanese Food & Beverage: the Best of the Internet
The Shifting Premium Whisky Landscape
It’s no secret that the Japanese whisky market is red-hot. And the same can be said for Bourbon and Scotch, especially premium labels. With demand outpacing supply, producers have faced some tough and unpopular choices.
Bloomberg has the scoop on the reformulated Yamazaki 25 and other retooled luxury whisky brands.
Bell’s Brewery Bought By a Kirin Subsidiary
Bell’s is the latest craft brewery to succumb to a powerful multinational beer company. Lion, a subsidiary of Kirin, has purchased Bell’s for an undisclosed price.
Bell’s is one of the largest craft breweries in the US. And they’re one of my favorites. I hope they maintain their excellent quality. On the bright side, maybe their beers will have a bigger presence here in the Pacific Northwest.
Anyway, check out Forbes and their breakdown of the Bell’s-Lion purchase.
Onigiri Art
I was told from an early age not to play with my food. And I’ve done pretty well at that. But yesterday I found out about Onigiri Gekijō, and now I must reevaluate everything I thought I knew.
Enjoy onigiri as art with My Modern Met.
Kyogi Packaging Making a Small Comeback
Industrialization has taken a toll on many traditional Japanese crafts and products. And kyogi, a thin paper made of wood, is one of them. It was often used as a wrapping for food, but the rise of plastics coincided with a collapse in demand for kyogi.
But the tide may be turning. Modern consumers often look for alternatives to polluting plastics and other industrial products. And kyogi has benefited from this, especially in the Covid era.
The Honolulu Star Adviser has the scoop on a kyogi producer seeing an uptick in demand.
Follow the Japanese Bar on Social Media
Connect with our latest posts, the newest Japanese beverage info, and get exclusive promotional offers. Level up your Japanese food and beverage IQ!