Wet January – For Those Pushing On!

Yah, yah, we know all about “Dry January.” You do you! Be healthy! For those pushing on and carrying forward with their well moderated lives, we wanted to remind you that despite the average alcohol content of 15%, which is sort of an industry average, sake does have some low-alcohol offerings that taste awesome and are worth the play. 

I recently brought back a 0% alcohol sake from Fukumitsuya in Ishikawa to share with the team, and it wasn’t great. Interesting, but not great. Also, our friends at Origami Sake produce a “zero” alcohol sake that is nice, but it only comes in a 750ml bottle and that’s sort of a tough sell. So, herewith is a cool collection of low-alcohol brews of all shapes and sizes. And remember that the brewing trend is to go down in alcohol content, so we will be noticing more and more lower alcohol offerings in the future including our New Store Arrival Junmai Ginjo called Tama, which is 12%. Check it out: 

• HEAVENSAKE “12” – Made by one of our favorite sake breweries in Hyogo Prefecture called Konishi (old and awesome), this very gentle and very neutral Junmai is a Genshu (no water added) and has an ABV of 12%. It is an amazing food pairing sake and totally worth the try. 

• Jozen “Honey” – Made by the incredible Niigata brewery called Shirataki, this brewing masterpiece is made with a “honey-derived yeast” that makes this brew drink like a honey and umami dream. With an ABV of 8.5%, it is extremely flavorful and fun. 

• Yuzu Omoi – Made by Yamamoto Honke, this has been one of our top selling yuzu (Japanese citrus) sake in the history of True Sake. A touch on the sweeter side of yuzu, and boasting an ABV of 7%, this sake is a wonder to behold and should be on your bucket list if you’ve never tried yuzu sake.

• Kameizumi “Eternal Spring” – Made using the now becoming very famous “CEL-24” brewing yeast, this “genshu” or undiluted sake has a lower ABV of 14% and is “nama” or unpasteurized. Quickly becoming one of the top selling sakes at True Sake, and we were the first to warm it! Wait, what? Yup, it’s great for warming too. 

• Niwa no Uguisu “Doburoku” – Made by Yamaguchi Sake Brewery from Fukuoka Prefecture, this totally unfiltered (not nigori or coarsely filtered) sake is a throwback brew that customers greatly enjoy. Round, ricey, and thick, it actually drinks lighter than most nigori brews and has a natural ABV of 6% for a really classic sake feel and flavor. 

• Shigemasu “Crimson” – Made by Takahashi Shoten from Fukuoka Prefecture, this dynamic sake is a blend of Junmai sake, plum, and red shiso juice to formulate one of the best “umeshu” or plum sakes in the store. With an ABV of 7%, this red masterpiece drinks with excitement and balance loaded with juicy flavors that wake up those sleepy sake senses. 

• Ichinokura Suzune – Made by Miyagi Prefecture’s Ichinokura Sake Brewery, this sparkling sake is not only historical, it is downright fantastic tasting. True Sake is responsible for this masterpiece being in the US market, and our efforts are well worth your attention. Creamy, round, and soft bubbled, this sparkling sake has an ABV of 5%, making it one of the BEST sake and lowest-alcohol sake in the store. 

• Gokyo “Ne Ne” – Made by a great Yamaguchi brewery (Sakai Shuzo), this sparkling sake has been incredibly successful at True Sake because it is so darn tasty and speaks to any sake drinker with a sweet tooth. With an ABV of 5%, it is low alcohol indeed, and wait for it… you can actually warm this brew for a one-of-a-kind sake drinking experience. 

• Hakutsuru “Chika Cup” – One of our favorite sake breweries makes a cup sake for those who want some cuteness with their junmai sake. With an ABV of 13%, this cup is good for those on the go who need a little rice flow to-go, yo! 

• Kaika “Ramen Cup” – Made in Tochigi Prefecture specifically to pair with ramen, this very popular cup captures the essence of the “sake pairs with anything” philosophy. With an ABV of 14%, this Junmai Ginjo is a brew that does not require noodles to be delicious.