/jp/ - Otaku Culture

It all started when I was visiting breweries across the #2 sake town in Japan, Fushimi of Kyoto. I was just about done touring the big ones (such as Gekkeikan, I'm sure you've all seen that hideous export-only version in stores), when I decide what the hell, let's go for one more.

月の桂 (Tsuki no Katsura) is the oldest brewery in Kyoto. Right now Mr. Tokubee Masuda's the 14th generation owner of the place, and he had even changed his name to share the same one with the 1st generation founder. That's how much dedication to tradition these conservative breweries have.

Anyways, the man just floored me with his enthusiasm and generosity. I've had maybe 2 or 3 shots per each brewery, but then Mr. Masuda starts taking out bottle after bottle out of his fridge onto this place's tasting bar.

12 glasses later, I'm in ecstasy. Every sake the small brewery made was on a different level compared to the big names. I especially liked his high-grade unfiltered, unpasteurized nigorizake, which is usually made with cheaper methods because of the inherent brashness in such a style.
But not so for 月の桂. Mr. Masuda was responsible for bringing the resurrection of unfiltered sake to the modern seishu market, which had previously been completely illegal.

That was only 4 years ago. Since then, I've read 8 books on the subject, and have visited 20 or so breweries.

And that's my stupid-ass sake story. Share yours everyone.

also, pic related. he's on the left and I have no idea who that is on the right.