Published: 4/3/2021
This week’s newsletter takes a look at Kirin Ichiban beer and Omachi sake rice. We also have the latest news and articles about the Japanese beverage industry.
Kirin Ichiban: A Macrobrew with Character
Kirin Ichiban is one of the most popular Japanese beer brands from one of the country’s beer pioneers. If you find Sapporo and Asahi a little too light for your taste, Kirin may be the beer for you.
In this article, we review this legendary Japanese beer, where and how it’s made, the ingredients, retail and delivery options, similar beers, serving suggestions, and more.
Omachi Rice: An Iconic Heirloom Strain
Omachi is a big deal.
This heirloom rice strain is used for some of the greatest sakes in existence and is beloved by sake connoisseurs across the globe.
This page takes a look at this legendary sake rice in detail. Learn its history, where it’s grown, how its sake’s taste, popular brands brewing with it, and more.
Japanese Alcohol: the Best of the Internet
Okinawa’s Answer to Kakuni
Okinawa has a complex history and some of the world’s finest cuisine. Their trading prowess and strategic location have given it a rich tapestry of Thai, Chinese, and Japanese influence. And while some of this outside interest may not have always been welcome, a lot of great food and beverage fusion happened.
The Chinese pork belly dish dong po rou must have been a hit. Combined with Thai-influenced awamori, the Ryukyu (Okinawans) put their own spin on this Hangzhou classic and called it rafute.
The iconic Kyushu dish kakuni shares similar roots with rafute, though it uses sake instead.
Check out this mouth-watering post from Saveur for Saturday meal inspiration.
Your Sake Journey: A New Website
Japan’s National Tax Agency recently released a new bilingual website promoting “sake”. Their use of quotations is due to the fact that in Japan, sake simply means alcohol. This exciting new site shares the stories of prominent players in the sake (seishu), shochu, whisky, wine, and Japanese beer industries.
Japan Today sums it up well.
We look forward to more good things from their site: Your Sake Journey.
The Japanese Government Agrees to Help Boost Exports for 830 Alcohol Producers
The Japanese government has always had a heavy hand in the alcohol industry. Sometimes this hasn’t worked in favor of the producers, but many times it has helped them thrive. Thursday, the government announced it would be helping 830 breweries and distilleries increase their exports.
The mix includes sake brewers, shochu and awamori distilleries, plus whisky manufacturers. Among them are some of the biggest names in the industry.
Learn more from Nippon.com.
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