Kanpai, It's Sake Day

Raise an ochoko today and celebrate Nihonshu no Hi, or as known in English, Sake Day.

Saké Day originated over 35 years ago, in 1978, by a declaration of the Japan Sake Brewers Association and is now celebrated worldwide. Why was October 1 chosen? Interestingly, the Chinese character for Sake (酒) is very similar to the Chinese zodiac sign for the Rooster (酉), the tenth sign. Thus, the first day of the tenth month, October, became Sake Day. It is probably also due, in part, to the fact that October is generally considered to be the official start of the Sake brewing season.

What are you doing to celebrate Sake Day? Let me provide some additional ways to learn about, experience and support Sake.

1) Today, and today only, you can get a FREE copy of the e-book of my first Tipsy Sensei novel, Demons, Gods & Sake, This exciting, supernatural thriller pits Nate Randall, a Boston-based Sake expert, against an Oni, a terrible Japanese creature, which seeks an ancient artifact of great power. In his quest to thwart this evil, Nate encounters other adversaries, including a ruthless Yakuza clan. However, he also acquires a mysterious ally, a sword-wielding man with his own secrets. The action spans the globe, from Boston to Japan, and the stakes have never been higher for Nate. Grab a copy of this novel tomorrow, which has ten 5-Star reviews on Amazon, while it is FREE.

2) You might also like to buy my newest Tipsy Sensei novel, Halloween Nightmare At Fenway, which was just published a month ago.  Nate Randall faces a new threat, an evil spawned from the darkest aspects of World War II. His samurai companion, Hato, will also face a personal challenge, a deadly swordsman who may be even more skilled than he. Can they stop the evil from putting into place their diabolical plans during the World Series at Fenway Park? The Tipsy Sensei will be challenged like never before.

3) If you want to learn more about Sake, check out my numerous educational posts at All About Sake. You'll learn about the basics of Sake, pairing Sake & food, Sake customs and legends, and much more. There are links to over 105 posts, so there is plenty to explore and learn. In addition, if you want some Sake recommendations, then please check out my Collected Sake Reviews, which has over 100 reviews of a diverse range of Sake. This is all an excellent starting point for your exploration of the wonderful world of Sake.

What has been the most popular Sake post on my blog? The clear choice is The Science of Sake & Food Pairings, an exploration for some of the scientific reasons why Sake pairs so well with many foods. Not only is it my top Sake post, it is also in the top ten most popular posts of all time on my blog. Another Sake-related post on this top ten list is the Health Benefits of Sake.

More recently, one of my most popular new Sake post has been Blue Current Brewery: Making Sake In Maine, which is about the first Sake brewery to open in New England. Though still relatively new, they are spreading across Maine, including to many non-Asian restaurants, and their Junmai Ginjo is delicious. Another of my most popular Sake posts this year has unquestionably been An Expanded History Of Sake Brewing in the U.S. I did lots of research for that article, combing numerous old newspapers and other sources to put together the most comprehensive history of the earliest Sake breweries in the U.S.

4) I've created the Sake menus for two local restaurants and you can go to either spot to enjoy delicious cuisine with some interesting Sakes. At Thelonious Monkfish in Central Square, Cambridge, you can enjoy their Asian fusion cuisine and Sushi with Sake. And at Tasting Counter in Somerville, near Union Square, you can order ten Sakes with your nine-course dinner, making it the the non-Asian restaurant with the largest Sake menu in the Boston area. The cuisine is phenomenal and pairs very well with the diverse selection of Sake.

5) Please know that I am available for hire for all your Sake related matters. I can work with restaurants, wine shops, distributors, schools, and other businesses as well as private individuals. I provide a diverse selection of services, including: Educational seminars, from basic classes to more advanced; Sake tastings, from small private affairs to larger groups; Sake and food pairings, from appetizers to dinners; Consultations on Sake recommendations for stocking in wine stores or restaurants; and other Sake events and activities.

If you are looking to hold a different event, something beyond the usual wine tasting, why not try a Sake event instead. Sake pairs with all types of cuisines so a Sake dinner could be held at any restaurant, from Italian to French, Spanish to a Burger joint. If you are interested in any of these services, just email me and we can discuss the possibilities.

Have a great Sake Day! And I hope to see you at a Sake event in the near future.