Episodes

Episodes

Episode Image

Episode #S02: Sake 101 – How is Sake Made?

February 7, 2025
Play
This is the second episode our “Sake 101” mini-series! In our first episode we covered the most basic question “What is Sake?” and we hoped that this would help people new to the beverage get a basic understanding of what sake is, what it is not and also give a few hints on how sake tastes and of course how…
Download & DetailsSubscribe to Podcast

Episode Image

Episode #S01: Sake 101 – What is Sake?

January 31, 2025
Play
This week we kick off a brand-new mini-series in which we go back to the basics and focus on questions we all had at the start of our sake journey. Questions that may sound simple but may not be as easy to answer as they seem. Welcome to our “Sake 101’s”! Our host will take turns answering questions to topics…
Download & DetailsSubscribe to Podcast

Episode Image

Episode #133: SAKE: The Art and Craft of Japan’s National Drink by Yoshiko UENO-Müller

January 16, 2025
Play
There is a new sake book on the market: SAKE: The Art and Craft of Japan's National Drink written by no other Yoshiko UENO-Müller, founder of Ueno Gourmet, Sake Samurai, and acclaimed Sake Educator (among her many other titles). Join hosts Cindy Bissig and Frank Walter as they chat with Yoshiko-san and delve into what inspired her to write her…
Download & DetailsSubscribe to Podcast

Episode Image

Episode #132: Talking Koji with Higuchi Koichi

December 30, 2024
Play
A few weeks ago we celebrated the exciting news of “Traditional Sake Brewing with Koji” being listed as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage (if you missed it you can find out more here) and in this episode, we decided to dive deeper into the world of koji as we had the immense pleasure of interviewing Higuchi Koichi, owner of Higuchi…
Download & DetailsSubscribe to Podcast

Episode Image

Episode #131: Traditional Sake Making is World Heritage!

December 18, 2024
Play
Earlier this week the sake industry received some amazing news: "traditional sake brewing" was registered as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage. However, the term is rather vague on its own. So for this episode of Sake on Air, our hosts Arline Lyons and Frank Walter set out to clarify what "traditional sake brewing" means, the potential benefits of the listing,…
Download & DetailsSubscribe to Podcast

Episode Image

Episode #130: Oh the Omachi! A Sake Rice Deep Dive

November 29, 2024
Play
Japanese sake is made from water, rice, and koji. There are many specific rice varieties cultivated for brewing sake, all of which are lumped together as sakamai (酒米). Some are more prominent than others and one in particular has gotten itself a bit of a cult following. You may refer to it as the OG or grandfather of sakamai and…
Download & DetailsSubscribe to Podcast

Episode Image

Episode #129: Slinging Sake with Sake Samurai Adrian Goh

November 6, 2024
Play
In our latest Podcast Cindy Bissig and Frank Walter had the pleasure to welcome no other than Singapore’s first Sake Samurai - Adrian Goh, the director and chief educator at Inter Rice Asia, IWC judge and organizer of one of Singapore’s biggest Sake Matsuris!For anyone unfamiliar with what a Sake Samurai is or how to become one, it is a…
Download & DetailsSubscribe to Podcast

Episode Image

Episode #128: Koji Cocktails with Sam Boulton

October 30, 2024
Play
Sebastien Lemoine, Chris Hughes, and Miho Ota sit down with Sam Boulton, author, mixologist and drinks consultant to talk about his new book, “The Art of Mixing Koji Cocktails.” Sam is based in Birmingham, and is one of handful of experts on Japanese booze in the UK. He was a participant in this year's Advanced Shochu Academy in Kagoshima, and…
Download & DetailsSubscribe to Podcast

Episode Image

Episode #127: What even is a Sake GI?

October 24, 2024
Play
Many people will be familiar with the word GI (Geographical Indication), especially if they are familiar with wine. Famous GIs are known around the world like Champagne or Prosciutto. But what about sake? Does sake need a GI system? What does a GI actually mean? Where do we find these regions in Japan and does GI make any sense in…
Download & DetailsSubscribe to Podcast

Episode Image

Episode #126: Talking Spirits with the Advanced Shochu Academy 2024

October 11, 2024
Play
As sake continues to gain popularity around the world, shochu is next in line. In August 2024, the Japan Sake and Shochu Makers Association (JSS) held its inaugural week-long Advanced Shochu Academy in Kagoshima. The event was designed to educate professionals in the global beverage industry about shochu.The 12 participants came from diverse backgrounds—educators, importers, and consultants from seven different…
Download & DetailsSubscribe to Podcast

Episode #S02: [Special Announcement] Sake & Shochu Events in October 2024

October 1, 2024
Play
Happy Sake Day! Here is a list of events that are happening this month in Japan and around the world. Outside Japan (Sake Day Events) On October 1st in Melbourne, Australia. Tamura Sake Bar is celebrating World Sake Day 2024 from 6 to 9PM. https://www.tamurasakebar.com/ On October 4th from 4 to 10 pm, World Sake Day NYC 2024 will be…
Download & DetailsSubscribe to Podcast

Episode Image

Episode #125: Nada: The Sleeping Giant

September 13, 2024
Play
Nada is a well-known name in the world of sake. Almost a brand, it is associated with the area whose sake dominated the Edo (Tokyo) market in the later part of the Edo period (1603-1868), and it is still the largest sake production area in Japan.  Despite this track record, “Nada sake” can sometimes be reduced to an association with…
Download & DetailsSubscribe to Podcast

Episode Image

Episode #124: Exploring Shochu in Kagoshima with Maya Aley

August 28, 2024
Play
This week on our show, we’re heading to Kagoshima, the heart of Japan’s shochu production! Join us as one of our regular hosts, Chris Pellegrini, sits down with the incredible Maya Aley – a certified Shochu Meister and industry expert with over 6 years of experience. Maya is also the manager of Bar Roku, a must-visit destination for shochu lovers.…
Download & DetailsSubscribe to Podcast

Episode Image

Episode #123: Natsuzake Revisited

August 15, 2024
Play
Summer in Japan is hot! Too hot some might say. To help beat the heat, nihonshu producers sell a variety of sake called natsuzake or “summer sake.” But what is natsuzake really? It has no legal definition and no established taste or serving guidelines. Miho Ohta and John Gauntner have a conversation about the recent trends in natsuzake until  Frank…
Download & DetailsSubscribe to Podcast

Episode Image

Episode #122: Finding Sake Seeker: Thai food and Sake

July 18, 2024
Play
This week we are excited to welcome not just one, but two amazing guests to our table Yu Nakamura and Nattinee Sirirattanapol, aka Pam, who are changing the face of sake in Thailand with an array of amazing projects and collaborations! So join us as one of our regular hosts Chris Hughes sat down with them at our base the…
Download & DetailsSubscribe to Podcast