Sake Education - Sake Classes in the Bay this Winter!

We are on the brink of the holidays, a time where festivity fills the air and generosity is king. Celebrate yourself this year by diving into the joyous world of sake! Fifth Taste Sake School, based in San Francisco, is one of the leaders in sake education nationwide. They offer classes with the Sake Sommelier Association as well as the Wine & Spirit Education Trust. Your instructors are Jesse Pugach, founder of Fifth Taste and KJ Rizzo, a wine/sake sommelier (and True Sake alumnus!). Jesse & KJ invite you to ignite your interests this season, take a class, and join the amazing sake community that exists here in California.

Certified Sake Sommelier Course 
Saturday 12/9 11am-4pm on Zoom
Monday 12/11 & Tuesday 12/12 10am-4pm at Takara Sake USA, Inc. in Berkeley, CA - $900

WSET Level 3 - Location TBD
Mondays January 8th, 15th, 22nd (10am-4pm each day) & Exam 29th (10am-1pm) - $1000

Learn more about the classes here!

How do WSET and SSA differ? Which is better for you?
Both programs offer a strong overview of sake basics: sake making, production methods, sake styles/profiles, etc. Each course also has its own unique tasting method and will make you a much better sake taster. The way they differ: SSA is more service-oriented: focusing on history, culture, serving etiquette and food pairing. If your goal is to become more skilled at understanding, presenting and serving sake, SSA is the place to start. WSET focuses more on brewing methods, production choices, regionality, and diverse styles in greater detail. If you are looking for a deeper dive into the elements of sake making, how production choices affect the finished product, the sake industry as a whole, and one of the most challenging advanced sake certifications in the world, WSET may be right for you.