Welcome to Issue #137 of SIN.
For those who aren’t in Japan, we don’t want to rub it in, but you’re missing out!
We are smack bang in the middle of the sake events calendar, and there’s only so many sake-fuelled events one can attend before the liver or the wallet gives out.
We’ve got regional tastings, bar/restaurant organized dining events, meet-the-brewer gatherings, all encompassing music festival-level events - all over Japan. It’s all happening. And while they can be loads of fun, it does behoove us to try and take something away from such events without treating them as a simple “booze-up”.
Getting the opportunity to try sake that might not be normally available in your region or meeting and talking to the people that make the sake we love so much are moments to be respected.
So, remember to stop and smell the roses (or the ginjō) when you’re out enjoying yourself and be sure to get something more out of these tasting events than just a hangover.
And now for the news…
New Project Is Out Of This World
Hyogo- Legendary Nada brewery Kiku Masamune is literally reaching for the stars for its latest project as the brewery announced plans to team up with IDDK, a tech startup focusing on microscopic observation technology, to produce sake in space.
The plan is for IDDK to provide a space bio experimental platform while Kiku Masamune will research brewing methods under microgravity and cosmic rays. Extensive research will look into fermentation techniques, kōji making, microorganism symbiotic environments, and yeast strain development.
IDDK is currently working to create a commercialized bio experimental platform by 2026. The two companies will also analyze transportation, storage, and incubation of microorganisms in space and the study of fermentation behavior in space.
Source - Uchibiz | PRTimes
JG: I have to admit that most of the stuff they plan to research is, like, way over my head. I can barely pronounce the words. But knowing the enterprises involved, I am confident they will come out of it with new ideas and data to help the sake world develop in new directions. I look forward to the details!
菊正宗 , 旭酒造（獺祭）
Makuake Makin’ It Rain
Japan- Crowdfunded projects in the sake industry have almost become the standard for releasing new and experimental products. The crowdfunding tool enables more than guaranteed sales of new products; the system has also proven to be extremely effective in raising funds for disaster-affected breweries and producers looking to rebrand and relaunch.
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