Here we are in February. Only two weeks until Valentine’s Day! And what will you give your loved one?
Sake, of course! Show that special person that you’re a true romantic who thinks outside the box, beyond flowers, chocolate or cute, stuffed toys.
Just imagine the look on their face when they see that glistening bottle of umami nectar. Imagine the sensual feel of sliding your hand down the wet bottleneck as you ever so gently tip the bottle and cascade the aromatic rice nectar into a sensually shapely wine glass. Imagine the aromas of fresh, harmonious and sensual ginjō rising as they fill the olfactory senses with shivering anticipation of that silky touch on the tongue… and then…I think I need a cold shower.
But seriously, this year give the one you love sake.
And now for the news…
Kanagawa- Despite a history of more than 150 years and strong local sales, Kanai Shuzōten, producer of Shirasasa Tsuzumi, has been struggling since the impact of COVID.
In October 2021 the brewery was entrusted to a Tokyo-based fund management, which helped restructure the brewery, however finding a successor for the brewery proved difficult. It was here Kanai Shuzōten found itself at a three-pronged fork in the road where management considered either closing, attracting outside capital or toughing it out as a local company.
As the fate of the brewery was pondered, Yusuke Shiino, a businessman known locally for publishing a free newspaper, with no previous connection to the sake industry stepped forward to help. Holding the belief that sake breweries are a local treasure to be preserved, Shiino wanted to help build a stronger connection between the brewery and the local community. Shiino invested in the brewery with share purchases and became chairman of the board of directors.
As part of his reforms for the Kanai Shuzōten, Shiino reviewed the pricing of some of the brewery’s products, restructured management and made the unusual move of charging the brewers with the responsibility of marketing and sales. Shiino’s aggressive restructuring also meant a shift toward detail-focused smaller batch production.
In 2024, Kanai Shuzōten’s sake received the award for excellence in the Junmai Warmed Sake division for the second consecutive year at the Tokyo Tax Agency’s sake competition, vindicating Shiino’s restructuring and garnering interest and support for the brewery’s new model.
Now, 2025 could be the year for Kanai Shuzōten with a special project underway to use local rice grown in Hatano City and signs already indicating the brewery could finally turn a profit in 2025.
Source – Zazak
JG: This brewery has been familiar to me for decades, living as I do in the same Kanagawa Prefecture. But I did not know of their challenges. They seemed poised for a total turnaround, and I intend to visit them before this year’s brewing season ends. Looking forward to it, and hoping I can actually meet da man, Shiino-san.
金井酒造店 , 白笹鼓
Yamaguchi- In a move which may hopefully inspire some other breweries, Asahi Shuzō, producer of Dassai has announced that it will drop the trading name Asahi Shuzō and moving forward will be known simply as “Dassai”.
