Welcome to Issue #85 of Sake Industry News.
We hope this issue finds you well.
Well, spring is most definitely here! The cherry blossoms are out which means so are the selfie sticks and Instagram "influencers"!
But more importantly, it means spring sake; Fresh, light, aromatic sake perfect for a little indulgence under the sakura. Keep your eye out for those pretty pink labels - they're everywhere! And remember, you don't need cherry blossoms to enjoy your spring sake. All you need is good company, a tasty snack and an excuse to drink some sake (like we ever need one!)
And now here's the news...
Don't Panic Yet, But We Could Be Headed For A Bottle Shortage
Niigata- It's no secret that the large format 1.8L isshōbin bottles have been slowly falling out of favor with both brewers and consumers over the past few years, but now there appears to be a shortage of sake bottles used in the brewing industry.
On February 26, the official Twitter page of Takeda Shuzō (Niigata Prefecture), known for its sake Katafune, posted of a major shortage of 1.8L bottles and asked for cooperation in collecting bottles for recycling.
The bottle shortage is in fact not only limited to 1.8L bottles as highlighted by Hakkai Jōzō’s (Hakkaisan) recent change from brown glass to black glass for its 180ml bottles due to scant supplies.
Many glass manufacturers are facing issues such as labor shortage and the aging deterioration of equipment such as kilns - in some cases leading to a complete halt in production.
Reports have also suggested the combination of a downturn in shipments of isshōbin and inefficient recycling has also contributed to the shortages and the resulting price increase of the bottles.
Source - J-cast
JG: This is, in fact, a potentially big problem. Most brewers interviewed on this topic said pretty much the same thing: we are ok this year, but next year there is going to be a problem. Everyone is encouraging consumers to please return recyclable 1.8s as the companies that collect and recycle them are short-handed, a big kiln in Aichi prefecture closed down, and all this is on top of what is mentioned above. Let us keep our eyes on this one, and SIN will keep you informed.
竹田酒造店（かたふね）, 八海醸造（八海山）
A New Hope For Aomori
Aomori- Four producers that make up AQE (Aomori Quattro Esperanza or the Four Hopes of Aomori) have unveiled a range of sake highlighting the individual styles of each brewery's approach to brewing.
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