Sake Brewing Series |
The Journey of Craft Sake Brewing in North America

The Sake Brewers Association of North America (SBANA) and the Embassy of Japan in Washington, DC introduces a series of virtual, engaging, and exciting initiatives promoting the sake industry and consumer knowledge in North America through a three online webinar sessions. The webinar series will end in March in conjunction with the celebration of The National Cherry Blossom Festival.

Webinar 1
The Bond Between the Brew: The North America + Japan Sake Dialogue
Thursday, February 25, 2021
4:00 pm – 5:00 pm (PST)

This engaging exploration of sake will shine a spotlight on the launch of the North America-Japan Sake Dialogue, an initiative designed to foster cooperation and information-sharing between sake brewers on both sides of the Pacific about common challenges and opportunities in the industry. Featuring an all-star lineup of some of the most dynamic innovators in the sake industry in Japan and the United States in a discussion moderated by sake expert Justin Potts of Sake On Air and with introductory remarks by Kosuke Kuji, master brewer and president of Nanbu Bijin. Dialogue participants include:

Japanese sake representatives:

・Mr. Katsuhiko Miyasaka (Miyasaka/Masumi; Nagano, Japan)
・Mr. Hiroyuki Karahashi (Aizu Homare; Fukushima, Japan)
・Ms. Euka Isawa (MiCURA/Katsuyama; Miyagi, Japan)

North American sake representatives:

・Mr. Brian Polen (Brooklyn Kura, Brooklyn, NY)
・Mr. Troy Nakamatsu (Sawtelle Sake, Los Angeles, CA)
・Mr. Byron Stithem (Proper Sake Co., Nashville, TN)

Webinar 2
The Rules of the Brew: Sake Regulations & the Future of the Sake Industry
Tuesday, March 2, 2021
4:00 pm – 5:00 pm (PST)

Sake brewers and entrepreneurs often face a bewildering array of laws that strictly regulate how their products are produced, distributed and sold across North America. SBANA Board Member Bernie Baskin will lead a discussion on the regulatory landscape facing the industry, followed by a discussion on the future direction of the sake market in North America with industry insiders Ms. Sachiko Miyagi of Tippsy and Mr. Jamie Graves of Skurnik Wines and Spirits. The webinar will be simultaneously translated in English and Japanese and will include a Q&A session with the audience.

Webinar 3
The Beauty of the Brew: A Video Journey & Conversation Celebrating Sake & Sake Making
Tuesday, March 23, 2021
4:00 pm – 5:00 pm (PDT)

This webinar will feature the world premier of SBANA’s animated video illustrating sake’s unique tradition, craft, and range of enjoyment for sake newcomers. The video will be followed by a panel discussion with three SBANA member brewers relating their passion for sake and sake-making: Mr. Andrew Centofante of North American Sake Brewery (Charlottesville, VA); Ms. Euka Isawa of MiCURA (Tokyo, Japan) and Mr. Patrick Shearer of Ben’s American Sake (Asheville, NC). The March 23 event will be held in conjunction with the National Cherry Blossom Festival, the nation’s greatest springtime celebration commemorating the enduring friendship between the people of Japan and the United States.

*Webinars will be recorded for archival purposes.

ABOUT THE SAKE BREWERS ASSOCIATION OF NORTH AMERICA
The Sake Brewers Association of North America (SBANA) is a 501(c)(6) trade association for the sake industry in North America, headquartered in Washington DC. SBANA is the first and only sake industry trade association outside of Japan. SBANA is honored to unite sake breweries across the United States, Canada, Mexico (and beyond), distributors, retailers, rice farmers, governments, enthusiasts, and a wide array of the allied trade to form one of the strongest sake organizations in the world.

Supported by JAPAN HOUSE Los Angeles