Welcome to Issue #99 of SIN.
Only 31 days ago we were ringing in the beginning of the brewing season on World Sake Day and already the shiboritate for BY6 are appearing in fridges around town.
Speaking of fresh brews, October 26 was Doburoku Day, so we hope our readers enjoyed a cup of thick, tangy, ricey goop to mark the occasion (although we know John Gauntner didn't).
It's also the season for breweries to be holding traditional Kura-iri or Kurabiraki Shinji ceremonies to mark the beginning of the new brewing season. The ceremony often involves a monk or priest from a local Shinto shrine visiting with the brewery and leading the staff in prayer for a safe and prosperous season. There's a report on the rice quality for this season's harvest in this issue which may give us an indication of what we can expect. But rest assured, it will likely be another year of delicious sake all round.
For now here's the news…
New Partnership Targeting Asian Market
Fukui- A joint venture between Yoshida Shuzō (Hakuryū) and Hong Kong-based Symphony Holdings will be the first of its kind as the enterprise launches a new brewery targeting overseas markets.
Construction of the Yoshimine Kippogura was completed last month and production of the new sake designed to suit the palates of overseas drinkers is already underway.
As one of its focuses the brewery has implemented a strict level of sanitation and has already applied for FSSC 22000, an international standard for sanitation management. Currently only around ten breweries in Japan have acquired this recognition including Hakutsuru and Gekkeikan.
Yoshimine Kippogura is expected to produce 180 kiloliters in its first year and plans to double production in the following years. Exports will be largely concentrated on China, the sake industry's largest market, and Singapore with possible expansion into western regions in the future.
Source - Yomiuri
JG: This is actually quite interesting. Remember, basically the only new sake brewing licenses being granted are for export-only facilities. Here, we have a Japanese brewery and overseas investor starting a brewery together and making the most of that law. I wonder, though, how “sake designed to suit the palates of overseas drinkers” differs from that designed for domestic drinkers. Also, 180 kiloliters is a lot just out of the gates.
吉田酒造 （白龍）
From The Grain To The Grape
Akita- Asamai Shuzō has joined the small number of sake breweries branching out into the wine business.
The brewery, which is best known for its flagship label Amano Tō, is poised to release a red and a white wine made with local grapes.
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