Konnichi wa / Great Outdoors

Introduction

Japanese sake is an alcoholic beverage that has been around for centuries.

It is made from fermented rice and has a unique flavor that sets it apart from other alcoholic beverages.

In recent years, sake has become increasingly popular in the United States and around the world.

This guide will provide an overview of the best sake, from the brewing process to the different types of sake available.

Watch this video guide on sake!

What is Sake?

Sake is a Japanese alcoholic beverage made from fermented rice.

It is often referred to as "rice wine" or "rice beer" due to its similarities to both drinks.

Sake is typically served warm or at room temperature and has an alcohol content of around 15-20%.

It is a popular drink in Japan and is often served at special occasions such as weddings and festivals.

Sake Brewing Process

The brewing process for sake is similar to that of beer.

First, the rice grain is milled to remove the outer layer of the grain. This process is known as polishing and is necessary to remove the proteins and fats that can cause off-flavors in the finished sake.
The polished rice is then washed and soaked before being steamed.
The steamed rice is then mixed with a special type of yeast and allowed to ferment.

The fermentation process can take anywhere from two weeks to two months, depending on the type of sake being made.

Types of Sake

There are several different types of sake, each with its own unique flavor and characteristics. The most common types are junmai, honjozo, and ginjo.

Junmai sake is made from only rice, water, and koji (a type of mold). It is full-bodied and has a slightly sweet flavor.

Honjozo sake is made from rice, water, and koji, but it also contains a small amount of distilled alcohol. It is light and smooth, with a slightly dry finish.

Ginjo sake is made from rice, water, and koji, but it also contains a higher percentage of rice that has been polished. It is light and fragrant, with a fruity flavor.

Nigori sake is unfiltered, so it has a cloudy appearance. It is sweet and creamy, with a slightly thick texture.

Sparkling sake is a type of sake that is carbonated, giving it a bubbly texture. It is light and refreshing, with a slightly sweet flavor.

The Best Sake Brands

Now that you know the different types of sake, let’s take a look at some of the best sake brands available.

Kikusui

Kikusui is a popular sake brand from Niigata, Japan. They offer a wide range of sake varieties, including junmai, honjozo, ginjo, nigori, and sparkling. Their sake is known for its smooth flavor and clean finish.

Kubota

Kubota is another popular sake brand from Niigata, Japan. They offer a wide range of sake varieties, including junmai, honjozo, ginjo, and nigori. Their sake is known for its crisp flavor and subtle sweetness.

Takara

Takara is a sake brand from Kyoto, Japan. They offer a wide range of sake varieties, including junmai, honjozo, ginjo, and nigori. Their sake is known for its light, fruity flavor and smooth finish.

Gekkeikan

Gekkeikan is a sake brand from Fushimi, Japan. They offer a wide range of sake varieties, including junmai, honjozo, ginjo, and nigori. Their sake is known for its full-bodied flavor and balanced finish.

Kikusui Perfect Snow

Kikusui Perfect Snow is a special type of sake from Niigata, Japan. It is made with a special type of rice that is polished to a higher degree than other types of sake. It has a light, crisp flavor with a subtle sweetness.

The Best Sake for Different Occasions

Now that you know some of the best sake brands, let’s take a look at the best sake for different occasions.

For Everyday Drinking: For everyday drinking, we recommend a junmai or honjozo sake. These types of sake are light and smooth, making them perfect for everyday drinking.

For Special Occasions: For special occasions, we recommend a ginjo or nigori sake. These types of sake are more complex and flavorful, making them perfect for special occasions.

For Celebrations: For celebrations, we recommend a sparkling sake. Sparkling sake is light and refreshing, making it perfect for celebrations.

The Best Sake for Different Occasions

Sake Bottle

Sake is typically sold in bottles that range in size from 180ml to 1.8L. The bottles are usually made of glass and feature a label that includes the name of the sake, the type of sake, and the alcohol content.

Sake Competition

Every year, a sake competition is held in Japan to determine the best sake in the country. The competition is judged by a panel of experts and awards are given to the top-ranking sake. The competition is a great way to discover new and interesting sake.

Premium Sake

Premium sake is made with high-quality rice and is usually more expensive than other types of sake. Premium sake is often aged for longer periods of time, resulting in a more complex flavor and aroma. Premium sake is typically served in a wine glass and is best enjoyed at room temperature.

Rice Wine vs. White Wine

Sake is often compared to white wine due to its light color and delicate flavor. However, sake is actually made from rice, while white wine is made from grapes. The fermentation process for sake is also much different than that of white wine.

Sake Sommelier

A sake sommelier is a professional who specializes in sake. They are knowledgeable about the different types of sake and can recommend the best sake for any occasion. Sake sommeliers can also provide insight into the brewing process and the history of sake.

Sake in the United States

Sake has become increasingly popular in the United States in recent years. In San Francisco, there are several sake bars and shops that specialize in premium sake. There are also several sake festivals and competitions held throughout the country.

Japanese Culture and Sake

Sake has been a part of Japanese culture for centuries. It is often served at special occasions such as weddings and festivals. Sake is also a popular drink in Japanese cuisine and is often served with sushi and other dishes.

Sake Aficionado

A sake aficionado is someone who is passionate about sake. They are knowledgeable about the different types of sake, the brewing process, and the history of sake. Sake aficionados often attend sake festivals and competitions, and visit sake breweries and sake bars.

Dry Finish vs. Sweet Taste

Sake can have either a dry finish or a sweet taste. Dry sake has a crisp, dry flavor and is often served chilled. Sweet sake has a sweet, fruity flavor and is usually served at room temperature.

Sake Rice

Sake rice is a special type of rice that is used to make sake. The most common type of sake rice is Yamada Nishiki, which is grown in the Kyoto prefecture. Sake rice is milled to remove the outer layer of the grain and is then washed and soaked before being steamed.

Brewing Process

The brewing process for sake is similar to that of beer. First, the rice is milled to remove the outer layer of the grain. This process is known as polishing and is necessary to remove the proteins and fats that can cause off-flavors in the finished sake. The polished rice is then washed and soaked before being steamed. The steamed rice is then mixed with a special type of yeast and allowed to ferment. The fermentation process can take anywhere from two weeks to two months, depending on the type of sake being made.

Kimoto Method

The Kimoto method is a traditional brewing method used to make sake. This method involves adding lactic acid bacteria to the fermentation process, resulting in a more complex flavor and aroma. The Kimoto method is used by many sake brewers in Japan and is often used to make premium sake.

Family-Owned Brewery

Many sake breweries in Japan are family-owned and have been producing sake for generations. These breweries often use traditional brewing methods and specialize in premium sake. Visiting a family-owned brewery is a great way to learn more about sake and the brewing process.

Sake Tours

Sake tours are a great way to explore the world of sake. These tours typically include visits to sake breweries, sake bars, and sake shops. They also often include tastings and educational seminars about sake.

Sake Bars

Sake bars are a great place to sample different types of sake. These bars often feature a wide selection of sake, from premium sake to local sake. Many sake bars also offer food pairings and educational seminars about sake.

Sake Shop

Sake shops are a great place to find premium sake. These shops often feature a wide selection of sake from different breweries and regions. They also often offer educational seminars and tastings.

Sake Competition

Gold Medal Sake

Gold medal sake is the highest quality sake available. These sakes are awarded gold medals at the annual sake competition and are considered to be the best of the best. Gold medal sake is often more expensive than other types of sake and is best enjoyed at room temperature.

Sake Enthusiast

A sake enthusiast is someone who is passionate about sake. They are knowledgeable about the different types of sake, the brewing process, and the history of sake. Sake enthusiasts often attend sake festivals and competitions, and visit sake breweries and sake bars.