Anyone not living the life of a mountain ascetic has probably heard that the Dassai Blue brewery in New York State (located near the hilariously named Culinary Institute of America, or CIA) has finally opened after facing massive delays and cost increases thanks to the pandemic.
However, another Japanese sake brewery’s activity in New York has been a little quieter, namely big Niigata brewery Hakkaisan joining forces with the now well-established Brooklyn Kura in the heart of the city. Hakkai Shuzo will lend their technical expertise in return for a base to promote sake to a converted audience interested in learning more.
The two companies held an opening event on the evening of 20 October 2023 to present their newly improved brewery and bar/restaurant space. Jiro Nagumo, president of Hakkai Shuzo, commented that sake needs local people making high quality, everyday sake from local raw materials to become a standard drink around the world. Brian Polen, co-founder of Brooklyn Kura, added that the two companies share the aim of making sake a global beverage.
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