Online sake brewery study abroad report
Online sake brewery study abroad isA sake mail order service that allows you to connect directly with local alcohol makers and toast together while staying at home.It is.
You can also taste the thoughts and personality of the creator, and through sake you can learn about life, make new connections, and"Oshizou"It becomes a place where things are born.
In this article, we will introduce the sake breweries that have participated in the online sake brewery study abroad program!
Please take a look at the sake brewery's thoughts and commitment through this article.♪
This time, we will be featuring the 56th Online Sake Brewery Study Abroad event.Yachiyo Sake Brewery (Yamaguchi Prefecture)We would like to introduce♪
About Yachiyo Sake Brewery
Yachiyo Sake Brewery is located in Hagi City, in the northern part of Yamaguchi Prefecture, the birthplace of the Meiji Restoration, which produced Shoin Yoshida, famous for the ``Matsushita Village School.''
Founded in 1887.
“Okuhagi” is a rural village. Kaba Sake Brewery was founded by Kanichi Kaba, the founder of the brewery, near the Kurameki River, a tributary of the Abu River that flows through this area.
Representative brands that have been passed down over many years"Yachiyo"。
The name ``Yachiyo'' comes from the line ``Kimigayo'', ``Chiyo to Yachiyo...'', in hopes that the families of those who drink this sake will prosper for many years to come.
After that, in 1952, when the company was established, the company name was changed to ``Yachiyo Sake Brewery'', which remains the current name.
The Mutsumi district (formerly Mutsumi Village), where the sake brewery is located, is a vast rice-growing region surrounded by mountains approximately 300 meters above sea level.
This land, which was once created by a volcano, contains many minerals and nutrients, and due to the large temperature difference between morning and evening, it has become possible to harvest very delicious rice, and is said to be one of the best rice farms in the prefecture.
Yachiyo Sake Brewery has been growing its own rice for about 20 years, taking advantage of its privileged environment.
The brewery is staffed by a brewer and farmer who retains the vestiges of traditional seasonal brewers, and the entire brewery works together to grow high-quality sake rice, ``Yamada Nishiki,'' using reduced pesticide cultivation.
The abundant underground water from Mt. Daisho, which is the source of water for preparation, is medium-hard water that contains a lot of minerals.
With this water vein, we cultivate sake rice and handle everything from rice production to brewing sake.“Consistent farming and brewing”This is what we aspire to be.
Additionally, in 2017, a village farming corporation in Hagi City and Abu Town collaborated with a sake brewing company to conduct the entire process from sake rice production to brewing and sales for the first time in Japan.“Hagisake Rice Polishing Cooperative Association”has been established, and is working to strengthen the brand power of local sake throughout the region.
Currently, the eldest daughter of the Kaba family, brewer Kumiko Kaba, is leading the brewery and creating new brands."La + YACHIYO"We started producing sake in line with the current times, which is one of the attractions of Hagi.
What is the new brand “La+ YACHIYO” presented by Hagi’s only female brewer?
Kumiko Kaba is the fifth generation brewer of Yachiyo Sake Brewery.
Born as the eldest of three sisters, after graduating from high school, she worked as a dietician in Tokyo.
Originally, the plan was for the second daughter, who graduated from an agricultural university, to take over the brewery, but circumstances changed, and in 2017, Kumiko, who had always loved alcohol, decided to take over as the fifth generation, feeling a sense of duty to ``protect the sake culture that has been passed down from generation to generation.''
“We continue to challenge ourselves to create new value by adding innovation to traditions that continue today.”With this philosophy in mind, in 2019 I will begin training at the Sumikawa Sake Brewery in my hometown, which is famous for its "Toyo Bijin" brand.
And in the spring, a new brand that I brewed myself."La + YACHIYO"announced,Hagi's only female chief brewerI have begun to take a step forward as a.
The origin of “La+ YACHIYO” isInspired by the name of Laplace, an astronomer who proposed the phenomenon of resonance between planets.
The "+" symbol that adds value, and the meaning of "place" included in the spelling, are the concept of alcohol that fits the diversified modern lifestyle, and the resonance and sharing of time to enjoy alcohol with friends, family, and lovers rather than alone.
``La+ YACHIYO'' was conceived by Kumiko in her spare time during her training period at Sumikawa Sake Brewery, and is a brand that holds special feelings for Kumiko.
“La+ YACHIYO” is suitable for those who like Japanese sake and those who are not familiar with Japanese sake."A special drink that only you know about"We continue to convey the new appeal of Yachiyo Sake Brewery with the sensibilities unique to women.
This is the first sake from “La+ YACHIYO”."ROOM"。
This is the debut work of Kumiko, who borrowed a tank while training at Sumikawa Sake Brewery, and was able to complete the quality, concept, and design in an unusually quick two to three months, in time for the new sake presentation.
``La+ YACHIYO'' is also characterized by a simple and easy-to-remember name, and ``ROOM'' is inspired by a working woman I met while living in Tokyo, and depicts a special space
It is a companionable drink that will give you a rich feeling of energy for tomorrow, a reward for yourself, etc.
The gorgeous aroma reminiscent of the tropics and the soft and elegant sweetness make it the perfect drink for women and those who don't normally drink sake.
This sake, which combines the delicacy and depth of Yamada Nishiki with a flavor that can be enjoyed with a clear finish, seems to have received high praise from people overseas as well.
Hagi's sake has been designated as a "Geographical Indication (GI)"!
Some of Yachiyo Sake Brewery's products include:"GI Hagi"Some products have the certification mark.
This is a system that protects regional brands of sake produced by six sake breweries in Hagi City and Abu Town, by the National Tax Agency on March 30, 2021."Geographical Indication (GI)"specified in.
As a result, "GI Hagi" becomes the first alcoholic beverage in the Chugoku/Shikoku region to be designated, the 15th in the country, and the 8th for a sake to be designated.
Features of “GI Hagi”
Hagi's granitic land, which was born from the movement of magma 100 million years ago, produces high-quality, soft water, the soil and topography created by the lava plateau of the Abu volcanic group, the influence of the Tsushima Warm Current, and the unique climate of a mountainous area, making Hagi a suitable place for rice cultivation.
Sake rice was cultivated in this area, and the castle town of Hagi, the capital of the Choshu domain, became a major consumer of sake, creating the foundation for producing high-quality sake.Hagi's sake has been passed down through the generations through the wisdom and skills of the people, and has become widely popular to this day.
The alcoholic beverages produced entirely in Hagi, using rice and water grown on the land of Hagi, have a rich, rice-derived flavor and a refreshing sourness, with a sharp alcoholic feel.
Furthermore, Ginjo sake is characterized by the refreshing aroma of fruits such as apples, which is also the criteria for judging ``GI Hagi''.
Each brewery works hard to improve the quality of their sake, aiming to pass the GI Hagi examination held once a year.
An innovative lineup with an eye on the future of sake
Yachiyo Sake Brewery, which aims to create new value and take on the challenge of innovative sake brewing, has a rich and unique lineup with eye-catching designs and stories!
We would like to introduce some of these attractive and creative drinks.♪
KABA Label Active Cloudy Pure Rice Sake
First of all, the "KABA label" can be said to be the face of Yachiyo Sake Brewery!
Kumiko has renewed the honjozo nigori sake, which was originally a regular product, into pure rice sake in limited quantities.
Yachiyo Sake Brewery's nigori sake is characterized by its gentle sweetness and deep rice flavor due to the four-stage preparation process, but this ``KABA Label'' takes advantage of the four-step process and has a dry finish, resulting in a fresh flavor that bursts in your mouth.
The illustration of the hippo that jumps out at you is created by Katsushi Tamura, a line drawing artist from Hagi City.If you look closely, you can see animals working on sake brewing, growing Yamada Nishiki in Hagi, and happy memories of hippos, and it is designed to help you enjoy this alcohol visually.
In addition, Cava has the meaning of the brewer's name ``kama'' and the Spanish sparkling wine ``cava,'' so be sure to pick it up and enjoy each one.[Hippopotamus]Please enjoy the charm of!
La+ YACHIYO dear
This "dear" is run by the talent Atsushi Tamura."Atsushi Tamura's Elementary School for Adults"A special alcoholic drink developed together with participants of an online community called.
The concept, quality of sake, design, etc. were all decided through online meetings with the participants, and they also had the opportunity to experience Japanese sake making, including shaking the koji mold and making koji in the koji room, which is not open to the general public.
About 400 people participated in this project out of an online community of about 1,300 people.
This project took about a year to develop through weekly meetings, and although it was difficult to gather opinions, a sense of unity gradually emerged, and the relationship between the participants deepened to the point that the participants started calling Kumiko ``Hippo-chan.''
The concept behind the completed ``dear'' is ``On a special day, with a special person, and with a special drink.''[Dear someone]Our hope is that people will think of this and drink it as a new toast sake.
The taste is carefully made using traditional tank pressing,It is enveloped in an elegant and gorgeous scent similar to perfume, with a hint of sweetness and yet a sharp and sharp impression.
The package design is interesting, but the word "dear" was written by Kumiko with her left hand, and the line drawn on the side is an image of stationery, which is a nod to the word "dear."
We paid particular attention to the design of the bottle, which is reminiscent of a bouquet of flowers, and has a special design that allows it to be used as a vase after drinking.
“Dear” is filled with the various thoughts of various people. How about a gift for someone special?♪
Ten style -tousui-
Currently, there are 1,500 sake breweries nationwide that produce sake.
This number is about half of what it was 50 years ago.
Away from sake,The harsh reality is that traditional Japanese techniques are being lost due to a combination of factors such as sluggish demand, depopulation in areas where sake breweries are located, and aging equipment.
However, no matter how difficult the situation, many sake breweries remain“Sake brewing = Japanese tradition and technology”continues to protect.
In recent years, many sake breweries have continued to use their own unique methods to communicate, so what can you do?
The answer I arrived at after thinking it through was,
"We want to deliver the ``elegance'' of Japanese culture from Hagi and from Yachiyo Sake Brewery."
That was my decision.
With that in mind, this product was created in limited quantities through crowdfunding.Premium Junmai Daiginjo “TOUSUI”That's it.
To represent the culmination of Japanese sake brewing, Yachiyo Sake Brewery has used 40% of its highest rice polishing ratio, but at Jusui, it uses 100% Yamada Nishiki grown in-house and has polished it to a 27% rice polishing ratio.
A beautifully balanced drink with a clear taste, elegant sweetness, and fruity aroma.
The label design, like the ``KABA Label'', is a cityscape drawn by line drawing artist ``Katsushi Tamura'' based on a map of Hagi.
The wooden box was commissioned to Mihagi Crafts, a manufacturing company in Hagi City with a history of over 50 years.
These sleeves are individually dyed by Iwakawahataten, which produces traditional dyed items such as tairyo flags.
This original sleeve not only captivates with its design, but also allows you to enjoy the change in flavor due to temperature by slowing down the temperature change of the sake.
From our desire to protect this beautiful traditional culture that connects people,
"ten (many)"＋“Iki (the essence of people and culture)” = “10 Iki”It was named.
I want to feel the ``moments of the future connected through sake'' from Hagi and from Yachiyo Sake Brewery.
“Thanks Buddy”, a cycle of sake that starts with Hagi
"Thanks Buddy"is an initiative started by the Hagi Sake Rice Polishing Cooperative Association in 2023 with the aim of creating a support group (buddy) to support the six sake breweries in Hagi Abu.
Sake is made from activities that take place throughout the year, from rice production to brewing, shipping and sales, and finally to the consumer's taste.
This process involves the thoughts and work of many people, including the farmers who grow the sake rice, the brewers who make the sake, and the liquor stores who deliver the alcohol to everyone.
Together, these create a landscape in which Japanese sake is cultivated.
In order to protect the scenery where Hagi sake is grown,
■Continuing to produce sake that is chosen by people.
■To become rich not only with sake, but also with the culture surrounding sake.
■Creating a scene of pouring sake from Hagi.
We value these three things and believe that this cycle will help protect the landscape in which Hagi's sake is cultivated.
Become a buddy (member) of Thanks Buddy and experience the process of making sake, such as rice planting, harvesting, and labeling, while pouring the sake you have created together.
And"See you next year in Hagi. Thank you, buddy!"I believe that increasing the number of friends who can say this will lead to the future of Hagi's sake.
For those who have become a buddy (member) of Thanks Buddy, we would like to thank you for your support.[Buddy limited premium sake]A set of 6 bottles and member benefits will be sent to you once a year as a return gift.
Until now, only 720ml sets were available, but from 2025, 300ml sets will also be available, so it's great to have more options.♪
Most of the sake rice produced in Hagi City and Abu Town is consumed by six breweries.Alcohol self-sufficiency rate is among the highest in the countryThat's right.
In this way, one of the characteristics is that there is a strong connection not only between the six breweries but also between the six breweries and the sake producers, and it can be said that the Thanks Buddy project was made possible because of Hagi and Abu.
Why not become a buddy and experience the circulation of sake for yourself!
[Yachiyo Sake Brewery]
〒758-0305
3306 Yoshishita, Hagi City, Yamaguchi Prefecture
TEL:08388-6-0221
FAX:08388-6-0223
HP & Online Shop:https://ec.yachiyo-sake.com/
Introducing Yachiyo Sake Brewery's sake and pairings♪
Yachiyo Junmai Ginjo
``Yachiyo'' is a Junmai Ginjo sake that has been the standard sake of the brewery for generations.
Until the previous generation, the quality of the sake was reminiscent of a heavy, old-fashioned sake to accompany a meal, but under Kumiko's generation, the quality has been upgraded to a gorgeous quality with a ginjo aroma.
The most distinctive feature is that Yachiyo Sake Brewery uses Yamada Nishiki, which is grown in-house with reduced pesticides.
In addition, by slowly and carefully finishing the rice using traditional tank pressing, the rice has a mellow texture and the flavor of the rice spreads throughout your mouth.
Recommended pairing for “Yachiyo Junmai Ginjo”
Recommended pairings for Junmai Ginjo ``Yachiyo'' are wild vegetable tempura and meat dishes.
This sake brings out the flavor of the rice, so it goes perfectly with solid meat!
It is also delicious when paired with Mutsumi pork, a branded pig from the Mutsumi area that is raised on Yachiyo Sake Brewery's sake lees and Yamada Nishiki's rice flour.♪
Bd-14 Pure rice sake
Bd stands for ``Beaumey Degree'' and is an abbreviation of the standard of sake level.
The higher the specific gravity and sugar content of the sake, the more negative the value becomes.If it is negative, it is said to be sweet, and if it is positive, it is said to be dry.This sake is a sweet type with a rating of -14.
This is a new kind of sweet pure rice sake made using the edible rice "Nipponbare" from Hagi and using Yachiyo Sake Brewery's specialty four-stage brewing process.
The aroma is modest, and the acidity is well-balanced for a refreshing and gentle drinking experience.
In normal Japanese sake brewing, three-stage preparation is the mainstream, but at Yachiyo Sake Brewery, amazake made with Nipponbare is added to the moromi as the fourth stage just before pressing. This increases sweetness, richness, and depth.
We recommend pouring alcohol into a glass with ice on the rocks.
You can also enjoy it deliciously with lemon or carbonated water if you like.
Recommended pairing for “Bd-14 Junmaishu”
For the sweet "Bd-14", we recommend Chinese dishes such as sweet and sour pork, and rich gratin!
You can't go wrong with the pairings carefully selected by Kumiko, who used to be a nutritionist.
Yachiyo Sake Brewing Q&A
Here are some of the questions asked to Kumiko during this study abroad trip.
- What kind of people are judged for "GI Hagi"?
- This will be conducted by appraisers from the Hiroshima Regional Taxation Bureau and specialized researchers from the Yamaguchi Prefectural Industrial Technology Center.
- How were the judging criteria for GI Hagi determined?
- The decision was made after about a year and a half of repeated meetings with Hagi-Abu6zo and the tax office.
It was difficult to invite outside sake brewers to reveal the unique characteristics of each brewery's sake quality, and then summarize the results. - I read in the news that regulations regarding obtaining a Japanese sake manufacturing license will be relaxed, but what do you think as a sake brewery?
- I'm hopeful that if regulations are eased and sake can be made all over the world like wine, sake will become more widespread around the world, but at the same time I feel like it's in danger.
I want our brewery to be firmly planted on the ground so that it can last for 100 or 200 years.
How to participate in the online sake brewery study abroad program?
“I want to know more about the thoughts of sake brewers!” “I’m interested in studying abroad at a sake brewery online!”That's calledPlease join us below!
This will be a valuable opportunity to talk directly with a different sake brewery every month, so you might find one you can recommend.♪
We look forward to your participation!
Online sake brewery study abroad process
① Alcohol will be delivered in advance!
・After applying for the online sake brewery study abroad program, the sake will be delivered to your home.
② Participate in online sake brewery study abroad!
・Cheers with the creator! (ZOOM or YouTube LIVE)
・Divided into the first and second halves, we will explore the key points of Oshizo while interacting with everyone.
③ You can make drinking friends all over the country!
・Exchange information online with sake fans from all over the country and make drinking friends.
You can read the report summarizing past online sake brewery study abroad experiences here, so please check it out!
↓ ↓ ↓
With the creator"Connect"
The thoughts of the creator"Peek"
our worldview"Spread"
Cheers with a hands-on pose again next time!
*Past report articleshereFrom! !
