Sample 576 Sakes at The Joy of Sake
The Joy of Sake
Friday, June 16 from 6:30 p.m. until 9:30 p.m.
Metropolitan Pavilion – 125 W. 18th Street (between 6th and 7th Avenues)
Admission: $130
The Joy of Sake, the world’s largest sake tasting outside Japan, returns to New York! There will be a record 576 competition-level sakes available to taste alongside sake-inspired appetizers from sixteen top restaurants.
Now in its 22nd year (18th in NYC), The Joy of Sake celebrates the ancient art of sake brewing with a walk-around tasting where attendees can taste the full spectrum of sake styles in the premium daiginjo, ginjo, and junmai categories from every sake-brewing region in Japan. More than 300 sakes are not otherwise available in the U.S.
©The Joy of Sake
Sakes are grouped by category so attendees can explore each in depth, including recipients of silver and gold awards from the U.S. National Sake Appraisal, a rigorous blind tasting conducted by ten judges from the U.S. and Japan. This is an opportunity to sample bottles of the actual competition entries in excellent condition.
For more information and to purchase tickets, please visit The Joy of Sake’s website.
©The Joy of Sake
Participating Restaurants
15 East @ Tocqueville
75 Degrees Café & Dessert
Amami Bar & Restaurant
BondSt
Gugu Room
Hutong
Insa
J-Spec Wagyu Dining
Juban
Katsuya
Momoya
Rule of Thirds
Sakagura
Towa
Yopparai
Zuma
Popularity of Sake
Sake continues to soar in popularity in the U.S. with imports from Japan more than doubling from 2012 to 2022, while U.S. sake breweries continue to open and expand production. “Sake's popularity is here to stay,” says The Joy of Sake founder Chris Pearce. “It's now a celebration sake lovers in New York look forward to every year.”
About The Joy of Sake
The Joy of Sake is a non-profit organization dedicated to fostering appreciation for the ancient craft of sake making. Now the largest sake tasting outside Japan, the annual event has grown from 124 sakes in 2001 to 576 in 2023. More than half are ultra-premium daiginjo sakes, made from the innermost core of the rice grain. Every year, The Joy of Sake stages events in major cities, presenting hundreds of sakes, many not otherwise available outside Japan, along with sake-themed appetizers from top local restaurants in a lively festival setting.
TOSA SAKE WEEK in JUNE
In the Shikoku region of Japan lies Kochi Prefecture, also known as Tosa, where a rich sake-drinking culture has taken root. Historically, sake has had a deep presence in this area, with a wide variety of sake still being produced today. Many of Tosa's sakes are known for their light and dry characteristics, making them a perfect accompaniment to the local delicacy, Katsuo no Tataki (seared bonito). However, there is a growing interest in fruity sakes, which offer a contrasting taste profile compared to conventional brands from Tosa. These fruity sakes are gaining popularity among younger generations and those who are less familiar with sake.
Kochi is actively engaged in research and development of kobo yeast, and the Kochi Prefectural Industrial Technology Center has introduced numerous unique strains of kobo yeast, including CEL 24. The significance of Tosa sake lies in its extensive range of flavors, derived from a diverse array of aromas and tastes. Additionally, the prefecture has successfully cultivated its own sake rice varieties, such as Tosanishiki, Gin no Yume, and Kazenaruko.
Tosa Sake from Kochi Prefecture
TOSA SAKE WEEK in JUNE
Nine breweries from Kochi Prefecture will participate in four sake events held in New York during the third week of June. This is a great opportunity to discover new sake from the Tosa region.
Schedule
Bar Convent Brooklyn
Tuesday, June 13 and Wednesday, June 14 from 11:00 a.m. until 7:00 p.m.
Industry City – 220 36th Street, Building #8, Brooklyn
The first among this series of Tosa Sake events will be Bar Convent Brooklyn, a B2B gathering that brings together influential figures in the bar industry. Kochi Prefecture will introduce Tosa sake to bar industry professionals, as well as distributors and importers.
Tosa Sake Seminar by Haruhiko Uehigashi
Tuesday, June 13 and Wednesday, June 14 at 2:30 p.m. (Approximately 1 hour)
WakuWaku Outdoor Dining Area in Industry City Courtyard –269 36th Street (between Buildings #3 & #4), Brooklyn
Haruhiko Uehigashi, an expert in kobo yeast, is credited with developing Kochi kobo and has served as an advisor in numerous sake competitions both in Japan and abroad. On June 13 and 14, he will conduct a Tosa Sake seminar at WakuWaku's patio dining area. The seminar is free of charge and will begin at 2:30 p.m. on each day. During the seminar, attendees will have the opportunity to listen to Uehigashi's lecture while sampling six pre-selected sake brands. If you are interested in participating, please make a reservation by sending an email to nori@agentnplus.nyc.
About Haruhiko Uehigashi
Haruhiko Uehigashi, a former researcher at the Kochi Prefectural Industry Technology Center and technical advisor to the Kochi Brewery Association, is a recognized expert in yeast development. He has contributed to the creation of numerous Kochi yeast strains and serves as an advisor in both national and international sake competitions. Some notable roles he has undertaken include:
Sake Competition Jury and Analytical Evaluator from 2012 to 2019 and 2023.
U.S. National Sake Appraisal Jury and Analytical Evaluator from 2015 to 2019, in 2021, and 2022.
Preliminary and final judge in the National New Sake Competition.
During all the Tosa Sake Week events, Uehigashi will be in attendance, presenting an excellent opportunity for attendees to engage in conversation with him at the Kochi booth.
The Joy of Sake
Friday, June 16 from 6:30 p.m. until 9:30 p.m.
Metropolitan Pavilion – 125 W. 18th Street (between 6th and 7th Avenues)
Kochi Prefecture will participate in the Joy of Sake, the largest public sake-tasting event outside of Japan. To purchase tickets, please visit the Joy of Sake’s website.
Store Tasting Event at Kuraichi
Saturday, June 17 from 1:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m.
Kuraichi – 267 36th Street, Brooklyn
Taste Tosa sake at Kuraichi, sake specialty store in Japan Village. Kuraichi boasts the largest Japanese liquor collection in New York City, carrying sake, shochu, and Japanese whiskies.
Scheduled Participating Breweries
Suigei Brewery
Tsukasabotan Brewery
Tosa Kikusui Brewery
Tosatsuru Brewery
BIJOFU (Hamakawa Shoten Brewery)
Kameizumi Brewery
Fumimoto Brewery
Arimitsu Sake Brewery
Takagi Brewery
Participating breweries differ depending on the event.
This event listing is an advertisement paid for by Tosa Sake from Kochi Prefecture Japan. For more information about Tosa Sake and the scheduled participating breweries, please click HERE.
The Joy of Sake Returns to New York
After a three-year hiatus forced by the pandemic, the Joy of Sake returns to New York for its 17th celebration. There will be an astonishing 576 different labels from throughout Japan and the US available for tasting. Sake-themed appetizers from top New York restaurants add to the enjoyment, making the Joy of Sake the event of the year for the city’s sake enthusiasts.
The Joy of Sake New York
Thursday, August 4 from 6:30 p.m. until 9:30 p.m.
Metropolitan Pavilion – 125 W. 18th Street (between 6th and 7th Avenues)
Admission: $120
After a three-year hiatus forced by the pandemic, the Joy of Sake returns to New York for its 17th celebration. There will be an astonishing 576 different labels from throughout Japan and the US available for tasting. Sake-themed appetizers from top New York restaurants add to the enjoyment, making the Joy of Sake the event of the year for the city’s sake enthusiasts.
For a great rundown of what to expect, check out food writer Nancy Matsumoto’s recent sake blog post. The co-author of Exploring the World of Japanese Craft Sake: Rice, Water, Earth, Matsumoto will have a table at the Joy of Sake, selling and signing copies of the gorgeous and informative book.
The admission fee includes unlimited samplings of sake and a dish from all participating restaurants. To purchase tickets, please visit the Joy of Sake’s Eventbrite page.
Participating Restaurants
BondST
En Japanese Brasserie
Insa
Juban
Katsuya
Kimika
Kissaki
Momoya
Rule of Thirds
Sakagura
Sarashina Horii
Sen Sakana
Towa
Yopparai
Zuma
For more details about the event, please visit the Joy of Sake’s website.