Sake Matsuri Singapore is set to return from 15 to 17 November 2024 boasting over 300 sake labels and Japanese spirits from nearly 100 breweries – including some made by a local brewery – marking its largest-ever showcase yet.
Sake enthusiasts, great news! Sake Matsuri Singapore returns for the second time this year to sate the thirsts of sake lovers. Happening again at the F1 Pit Building, this festival follows a wildly-successful edition earlier in May and will for the first time feature homegrown Singaporean sake labels alongside premium Japanese sake for the ultimate in sake exploration even as the popularity of sake continues to skyrocket in Singapore.
The highlight for adventurous sake lovers this Sake Matsuri edition has to be homegrown sake brewery Orchid Craftworks, which started to make sake in Singapore this year. Its unique range of sakes – made locally using imported Yamadanishiki rice – ranges from its flagship junmai-style uTama THE 2ND Junmai Shiboritate Nama to quirky variations infused with fruit such as durian and cempedak.
Then there is the The Art Of Sake Junmai Daiginjo Kimoto Henpei EP 1 – The Beginning, personally handmade by Singapore’s first Sake Samurai, Adrian Goh. The newly-minted Sake Samurai personally brewed this sake in Niigata, Japan, a Kimoto-style Junmai Daiginjo that employs using a rare flat rice polishing method, resulting in smooth, fruity flavours of delicate lychee and peach.
For those looking to explore new Japanese sake? A notable release you can find at the upcoming Sake Matsuri is the Miyanomatsu Misty Origarami Nama, an unpasteurised sake aged for 18 months from the Saga Prefecture-based Matsuo Shuzo.
Another one to try is the limited Tatenokawa Soube Wase by the Junmia Daiginjo specialist from Yamagata Prefecture. Otherwise the Limone Mature Unpasteurised from Nara Prefecture’s Ohkura Honke, or Fukuryu Junmai Daiginjo from Saga’s Azumacho Shuzo, are worth exploring.
Participating this year in Sake Matsuri is Singapore-based Japanese YouTube star Ghib Ojisan – best known for creating content about living in Singapore from a Japanese perspective – who will be showcasing a range of sake that he has personally brought into Singapore, such as the debuting Dainagawa Junmai Daiginjo Muroka Genshu – Durian. While it doesn’t contain durian, the sake features a bottle label emblazoned with a durian that highlights his love for Singapore alongside his Japanese roots.
As for food, adding to the festival’s attractions is the Otsumami Experience, where more than 50 traditional Japanese snacks are paired with various sake offerings. Food booths by The Oyster Cart and Ye Olde Cow will also be on-site, offering delectable festival fare like fresh seafood and dry-aged beef burgers.
This year, Sake Matsuri is partnering with local ceramics studio Mud Rock Ceramics to debut a limited-edition ochoko (Japanese sake cup), available for purchase alongside other handcrafted items.
Also for the first time, the festival will offer a VIP Pass. The new pass allows the holder all-day free-flow sake access for full-day tasting opportunities, including admission to on-site masterclasses.
“This is a momentous time in the history of Sake Matsuri. After years of building appreciation for sake, we are excited to showcase several homegrown sake brands at our 9th edition,” said Kevin Ngan, co-founder of Sake Matsuri Singapore.
“Our modern style sake with Japanese roots are specially made to pair with Singaporean cuisine and match the Southeast Asian palate,” shared Reuben Oh, brewer and co-founder at Orchid Craftworks. “We invite sake lovers to come try our range of fresh, unpasteurised sakes, and those with cream sake flavours like yuzu, matcha, and durian.”
This November 2024 edition of Sake Matsuri Singapore runs from 15 to 17 November 2024, with 15 November dedicated for pre-registered F&B professionals.
For more information and ticket purchases, visit www.sakematsuri.sg.
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