New Store Arrivals - It’s Nama Madness! 5 Raw Spring Brews
This month we see the return of Enter’s Sookuu, which is a really classy Muroka Junmai with a killer beer cap top. Makes a great gift for you and a friend. Then we say hello to an outstanding Yamahai from Niigata that has a ton of umami and a fun mouth feel. Nechi is such a great brewery this brew should not be missed. Up next is a wonderful oddity in the sake world. This “Cuvee 18” is a Yamahai that has been aged two years in French oak in very low temperatures. You like it woody? Here ya go! Lastly, check out the very cool orange-labeled Sawahime, which is a completely tasty Yamahai from Tochigi Prefecture.
Harushika Shiboribana 2019
From Nara Prefecture. Junmai Ginjo Nama. SMV: +1 Acidity: 1.4
The nose on this spring released seasonal sake is a subtle collection of white grapes, tangerine, and sweet rice aromas. Say hello to a very full and ripe Nama that has lots of Ginjo qualities and flavors. Look for pink grapefruit, white grape, and blood orange flavors on a fluid that is fat and chewy that has a little tingle, which means it’s still living! Very vivid with a very proud plumpness this brew has lots of glucose-like feelings with a dry finish. Fleshy and fun, this “Spring Deer” is a full-bodied Nama with bright citrus fruit tones on a juicy fluid that jumps. WORD: Citrus WINE: Fat Reds/Plump Whites BEER: Crisp Ales FOODS: International spicy fare, grilled fare, fruit plates.$36/720ml
Koshinohomare Shiboritate 2019
From Niigata Prefecture. Junmai Genshu Nama. SMV: +3 Acidity: 1.6
The nose on this unpasteurized and undiluted (18%) spring released sake is a unique collection of rice candy, banana, strawberry, and mineral aromas. Semi-sweet and sunny, a perfect picnic sake that is bright and happiness in a glass. A very soft and smooth brew with a fluffy texture and lots of honey tones. Look for honeycomb, honey tea, and honey candy flavors that drink juicy and bright and leaves longs legs on the glass. Rich and full-bodied fun that is released in the spring to bring out a freshness and brashness of raw and living sake. A really good “feeling” sake that speaks to those who like candy licks and sweet rice tricks. A sake with a lot of weight to it! WORD: Juicy WINE: Lush Reds/Juicy Whites BEER: Sweet Ales FOODS: Curry, Salsa, International heat. $29/720ml
Otokoyama Shiboritate 2019
From Hokkaido Prefecture. Tokubetsu Junmai Genshu Nama. SMV: +2 Acidity: 1.7
The nose on this spring released unpasteurized and undiluted (17%) sake is a fine collection of apple, melon, white grape, and snow mineral aromas. Okay folks! Have you ever wanted to taste a sake that is still in the fermentation tank? A living and breathing brew that is lively and active and brash? This is your chance, because this Nama drinks vivid, bright, zesty, crisp and dry. Look for grape, berry, melon, and young pear flavors with a hint of powdered sugar. Fresh, fun, crisp with lots of rice liveliness. This drinks as fun as the label on the bottle. WORD: Fresh WINE: Tight Reds/Crisp Whites BEER: Crisp Ales FOODS: Salty and savory bar fare, greasy and comfortable. $34/720ml
Gokyo Arabashiri 2019
From Yamaguchi Prefecture. Junmai Nama. SMV: +1 Acidity: 1.5
The nose on this seasonally released unpasteurized sake is gentle collection of steamed rice, mint, tangerine, and melon aromas. Say hello to freshness in a glass. This brew was released without pasteurization to show you the brash, lively, zesty, tingly, and activeness of sake that is living and fresh. Look for bright flavors such as young pear, melon, apple, citrus, and a touch of honey tea. This brew is edgy because it is like a Beaujolais in that it is as fresh as it gets. And to think that this is only made with rice and water. It is semi-thick, semi-dry, and fully wicked. WORD: Alive WINE: Beaujolais/Crisp Whites BEER: Crisp Ales FOODS: Sushi, sashimi, shellfish, steamed fish. $39/720ml
Nechi Otokoyama “Yukimizake”
From Niigata Prefecture. Tokubetsu Honjozo Nama. SMV: +4 Acidity: 1.8
The nose on this unpasteurized sake that is made with “Estate” brewing rice, which means that they grow their own, is a very fresh collection of cucumber, powder sugar, rice candy, cocoa, and mineral aromas. Damn! This sake tastes like the bottle looks - light, cool, and minerally. What an awesome Nama. It is so light, bright, and refreshing but is loaded with really tasty flavors such as white grape, honeydew melon, blueberry, and tons of minerals like snowball melt. There is also a very unique vein of citrus tones such as tangerine, and grapefruit, with an added powder sugar touch. A fantastic drinking brew that has a 1.8 acidity level, and has an 18% alcohol level, which you cannot even tell that they’re there, so we will call it the “Crazy 8’s.” WORD: Snowmelt WINE: Light reds/Mineral Whites BEER: Crisp Ales FOODS: Oysters, shellfish, sashimi, poached fish. $40/720ml