Sake On Air

Designing Your Own Sake with Nathaniel Hoy

08 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

This week Chris Hughes continues our discussion of contract brewing sake with a conversation with Nathaniel Hoy. We started this series with Episode-1...

Designing Your Own Sake with Nathaniel Hoy

08 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

This week Chris Hughes continues our discussion of contract brewing sake with a conversation with Nathaniel Hoy. We started this series with Episode-1...

Craft Sake Week with Rebekah Wilson Lye

13 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this week's episode of Sake On Air Sebastien Lemoin and Cindy Bissig are talking about the World’s largest sake event, which just so happens to b...

Craft Sake Week with Rebekah Wilson Lye

13 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this week’s episode of Sake On Air Sebastien Lemoin and Cindy Bissig are talking about the World’s largest sake event, which just so happen...

Preserving the Flavors of Sake with Coravin & Toku

29 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

During the recording of Episode 115 “Should sake be promoted like wine?”, Sarah Stewart mentioned a research project between some members of the B...

Preserving the Flavors of Sake with Coravin & Toku

29 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

During the recording of Episode 115 “Should sake be promoted like wine?”, Sarah Stewart mentioned a research project between some members of the B...

A Sake of Your Own: Contract Brewing Sake

22 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

This week Justin Potts, Chris Hughes, and Sebastien Lemoine discuss the growing trend of sake companies making special sakes for clients and/or partne...

A Sake of Your Own: Contract Brewing Sake

22 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

This week Justin Potts, Chris Hughes, and Sebastien Lemoine discuss the growing trend of sake companies making special sakes for clients and/or partne...

Rebroadcast: Matured Sake, Aged Sake

29 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

This week we’re digging a classic from out of the cellar – our episode exploring the absolute magic of sake that’s been crafted to stand the tes...

Rebroadcast: Matured Sake, Aged Sake

29 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

This week we’re digging a classic from out of the cellar – our episode exploring the absolute magic of sake that’s been crafted to stand the tes...

Studying Sake with Michael Tremblay

21 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

It feels like only the very recent past when opportunities for more formal sake education and certifications were few and far between, and when they w...

Studying Sake with Michael Tremblay

21 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

It feels like only the very recent past when opportunities for more formal sake education and certifications were few and far between, and when they w...

Rebroadcast: Shochu 101

02 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

We’re getting back to basics this week in the world of shochu with one of our most popular shows from our back catalog: Shochu 101. Released back in...

Rebroadcast: Shochu 101

02 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

We’re getting back to basics this week in the world of shochu with one of our most popular shows from our back catalog: Shochu 101. Released back in...

Should Sake be Promoted like Wine?

25 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

This week's episode of Sake On Air we dive further into the topic started with our post “Is wine the best way to promote sake?” last year. Arline ...

Should Sake be Promoted like Wine?

25 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

This week’s episode of Sake On Air we dive further into the topic started with our post “Is wine the best way to promote sake?” last year. A...

Noto Earthquake Support

19 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Many of our listeners are likely aware of the 7.6 magnitude earthquake that struck the Noto Peninsula of Ishikawa Prefecture back on New Years Day, 20...

Noto Earthquake Support

19 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Many of our listeners are likely aware of the 7.6 magnitude earthquake that struck the Noto Peninsula of Ishikawa Prefecture back on New Years Day, 20...

Becoming a Kuramoto with Junichi Masuda of Tsukinokatsura

28 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

We are always thrilled to be joined by special guests here at Sake On Air, but it is rather rare that we have a chance to interview a 15th-generation ...

Becoming a Kuramoto with Junichi Masuda of Tsukinokatsura

28 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

We are always thrilled to be joined by special guests here at Sake On Air, but it is rather rare that we have a chance to interview a 15th-generation ...

Rebroadcast: Hot Sake (Kanzake) 101

20 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

This week we’re digging up a classic from the archives that we released back in April 2020. The theme of the week is kanzake, which felt appropriate...

Rebroadcast: Hot Sake (Kanzake) 101

20 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

This week we’re digging up a classic from the archives that we released back in April 2020. The theme of the week is kanzake, which felt appropriate...

Kurabito Stay with Marika Tazawa

13 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

With more travelers these days favoring unique experiences over a few days of leisure for their limited vacation days, Japan’s sake breweries have g...

Kurabito Stay with Marika Tazawa

13 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

With more travelers these days favoring unique experiences over a few days of leisure for their limited vacation days, Japan’s sake breweries have g...

Sake in Brazil with Fabio Ota

29 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Fabio Ota joins regular host Sebastien Lemoine to talk all things sake in Brazil. Fabio, a lawyer turned sake guy, is the CEO and creator of Megasake,...

Sake in Brazil with Fabio Ota

29 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Fabio Ota joins regular host Sebastien Lemoine to talk all things sake in Brazil. Fabio, a lawyer turned sake guy, is the CEO and creator of Megasake,...

Tasting Sake… Professionally?

16 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

For many years a Sake Tasting Competition has been held for selected sake sommeliers from across the country in Tokyo to challenge their tasting skill...

Tasting Sake… Professionally?

16 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

For many years a Sake Tasting Competition has been held for selected sake sommeliers from across the country in Tokyo to challenge their tasting skill...

Shochu Cocktails with Suzu

01 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In this week's episode of Sake On Air we dive further into the world of Shochu and Cocktails as we are excited to have had the chance to talk to Chris...

Shochu Cocktails with Suzu

01 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In this week’s episode of Sake On Air we dive further into the world of Shochu and Cocktails as we are excited to have had the chance to talk to...

Kusu Day: Tasting Awamori

18 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

This week, we ask that you indulge us just a bit as we…indulge.During Justin’s super-secret (and all-too-brief) return to Japan we had the opportu...

Kusu Day: Tasting Awamori

18 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

This week, we ask that you indulge us just a bit as we…indulge. During Justin’s super-secret (and all-too-brief) return to Japan we had the opport...

Kura One by Katsunari Sawada (Part 2)

11 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In our last podcast episode of Sake On Air, we had two of our regular hosts Chris Hughes and John Gauntner talk with Katsunari Sawada, the man behind ...

Kura One by Katsunari Sawada (Part 2)

11 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In our last podcast episode of Sake On Air, we had two of our regular hosts Chris Hughes and John Gauntner talk with Katsunari Sawada, the man behind ...

Kura One by Katsunari Sawada (Part 1)

28 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In this week's episode of Sake On Air, two of our regular hosts Chris Huges and John Gauntner came together to chat with Katsunari Sawada san, the mas...

Kura One by Katsunari Sawada (Part 1)

28 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In this week’s episode of Sake On Air, two of our regular hosts Chris Huges and John Gauntner came together to chat with Katsunari Sawada san, t...

Translating Taste with Arline Lyons

12 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Arline Lyons never expected to be the go-to translator for sake related writings coming out of Japan, but remix Mr. Crichton, “sake finds a way.” ...

Translating Taste with Arline Lyons

12 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Arline Lyons never expected to be the go-to translator for sake related writings coming out of Japan, but remix Mr. Crichton, “sake finds a way.” ...

Mixing Shochu with Bartender Soran Nomura

22 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

How do we effectively promote Japan’s indigenous beverages? That is the million-dollar question and something the Japan Sake and Shochu Makers Assoc...

Mixing Shochu with Bartender Soran Nomura

22 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

How do we effectively promote Japan’s indigenous beverages? That is the million-dollar question and something the Japan Sake and Shochu Makers Assoc...

Bubbling in the Moromi with Martin Sturma

09 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Martin Sturma’s path to kurabito life at Shimizu Seizaburo Shoten has been a winding one. He first started working with sake at the JETRO Prague off...

Bubbling in the Moromi with Martin Sturma

09 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Martin Sturma’s path to kurabito life at Shimizu Seizaburo Shoten has been a winding one. He first started working with sake at the JETRO Prague off...

Tippsy Sake with Genki Ito & Sachiko Miyagi

19 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Somehow, they’ve done it.Despite the long list of complex and seemingly impenetrable barriers, the folks at Tippsy have managed to make a large, div...

Tippsy Sake with Genki Ito & Sachiko Miyagi

19 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Somehow, they’ve done it. Despite the long list of complex and seemingly impenetrable barriers, the folks at Tippsy have managed to make a large, di...

ARUTEN: On Your Own Terms with Jim Rion

07 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Aruten, arukoru tenka, or the ingredient largely responsible for the need to create a category of junmai sake in the first place, is sake that has bee...

ARUTEN: On Your Own Terms with Jim Rion

07 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Aruten, arukoru tenka, or the ingredient largely responsible for the need to create a category of junmai sake in the first place, is sake that has bee...

MOYASHI: On Your Own Terms with the Sake Concierge

21 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

“Moyashi” is a bit tricky: it’s simply translated as “bean sprout” in Japanese, but in the world of sake it refers to the sprouting koji sta...

MOYASHI: On Your Own Terms with the Sake Concierge

21 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

“Moyashi” is a bit tricky: it’s simply translated as “bean sprout” in Japanese, but in the world of sake it refers to the sprouting koji sta...

GENSHU: On Your Own Terms with Sebastien Lemoine

06 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

The amount of “genshu” sake circulating the market these days is ever-increasing. So first and foremost, what in the world is genshu?This week you...

GENSHU: On Your Own Terms with Sebastien Lemoine

06 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

The amount of “genshu” sake circulating the market these days is ever-increasing. So first and foremost, what in the world is genshu? This week yo...

AMAKUCHI: On Your Own Terms with Tomomi Duquette

31 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

This week we’re lucky to be joined once again by Niigata Sake Lovers founder, sake educator, guide, and evangelist extraordinaire, Tomomi Duquette.T...

AMAKUCHI: On Your Own Terms with Tomomi Duquette

31 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

This week we’re lucky to be joined once again by Niigata Sake Lovers founder, sake educator, guide, and evangelist extraordinaire, Tomomi Duquette. ...

ARABASHIRI: On Your Own Terms with Keith Norum

26 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Not only can a single batch of sake be broken down into unique seasonal releases, it can even be divided up into a range of unique products immediatel...

ARABASHIRI: On Your Own Terms with Keith Norum

26 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Not only can a single batch of sake be broken down into unique seasonal releases, it can even be divided up into a range of unique products immediatel...

KURA: On Your Own Terms with Chris Hughes

29 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Is it “kura”, or is it “gura?”It’s both! On week’s episode of On Your Own Terms, regular host Justin Potts sits down with Chris Hughes to ...

KURA: On Your Own Terms with Chris Hughes

29 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Is it “kura”, or is it “gura?” It’s both! On week’s episode of On Your Own Terms, regular host Justin Potts sits down with Chris Hughes to...

MUROKA: On Your Own Terms with Andrew Centofante

21 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Is it “unfiltered”?This week’s episode of On Your Own Terms explores one component of sake’s rather confusing classification of filtered vs. u...

MUROKA: On Your Own Terms with Andrew Centofante

21 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Is it “unfiltered”? This week’s episode of On Your Own Terms explores one component of sake’s rather confusing classification of filtered vs. ...

RICEY: On Your Own Terms with the Sake Concierge

18 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

We’re back again with more, On Your Own Terms, the series that allows our guests to select a single bit of sake or shochu-specific terminology to sh...

RICEY: On Your Own Terms with the Sake Concierge

18 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

We’re back again with more, On Your Own Terms, the series that allows our guests to select a single bit of sake or shochu-specific terminology to sh...

KANRI: On Your Own Terms with Arline Lyons

14 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In case you missed it, we’ve just kicked off our new mini-series: On Your Own Terms, where we examine sake or shochu-specific terminology concisely ...

KANRI: On Your Own Terms with Arline Lyons

14 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In case you missed it, we’ve just kicked off our new mini-series: On Your Own Terms, where we examine sake or shochu-specific terminology concisely ...

NAMA: On Your Own Terms with Jorge Navarette

12 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

This week we kick off a brand-new mini-series looking at sake (or shochu)-specific terminology in a new way.Up until now we’ve occasionally hosted i...

NAMA: On Your Own Terms with Jorge Navarette

12 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

This week we kick off a brand-new mini-series looking at sake (or shochu)-specific terminology in a new way. Up until now we’ve occasionally hosted ...

Discovering Yamaguchi Sake with Jim Rion

01 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Books dedicated entirely to specific sake-producing regions have for all intents and purposes been non-existent in the English language; at least, unt...

Discovering Yamaguchi Sake with Jim Rion

01 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Books dedicated entirely to specific sake-producing regions have for all intents and purposes been non-existent in the English language; at least, unt...

Starting a Brewery with Adachi Noujo

26 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

If you’ve been listening to this show even intermittently over the past several years, you’re probably already aware that starting a sake brewery ...

Starting a Brewery with Adachi Noujo

26 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

If you’ve been listening to this show even intermittently over the past several years, you’re probably already aware that starting a sake brewery ...

Thank You

22 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

We’re somewhat at a loss for words.When we first began Sake On Air back in October of 2018 it was by no means a given that we would wind up putting ...

Thank You

22 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

We’re somewhat at a loss for words. When we first began Sake On Air back in October of 2018 it was by no means a given that we would wind up putting...

Bringing Sake into the American Mainstream (Sake Future Summit 2022)

10 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Last week we brought you the first session from Sake Future Summit 2022 in a nice, easy-to-digest podcast package. (Videos from across the two weekend...

Bringing Sake into the American Mainstream (Sake Future Summit 2022)

10 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Last week we brought you the first session from Sake Future Summit 2022 in a nice, easy-to-digest podcast package. (Videos from across the two weekend...

Global Transformation of Sake (Sake Future Summit 2022)

28 Feb 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Back in January across two weekends, the Japan Sake and Shochu Makers Association hosted the second iteration of the Sake Future Summit. (The first wa...

Global Transformation of Sake (Sake Future Summit 2022)

28 Feb 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Back in January across two weekends, the Japan Sake and Shochu Makers Association hosted the second iteration of the Sake Future Summit. (The first wa...

Okawari: Parenting with Sake

16 Feb 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In last week’s episode I interviewed Elliot Faber of Sake Central in Hong Kong If you missed that conversation, I encourage you to hit pause, go bac...

Okawari: Parenting with Sake

16 Feb 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In last week’s episode I interviewed Elliot Faber of Sake Central in Hong Kong If you missed that conversation, I encourage you to hit pause, go bac...

Constructing a Sake Ecosystem with Elliot Faber

11 Feb 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Summarizing the work of Elliot Faber is a challenge. Often simply introduced as “Sake Samurai”, a title bestowed in 2016, which added him to the r...

Constructing a Sake Ecosystem with Elliot Faber

11 Feb 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Summarizing the work of Elliot Faber is a challenge. Often simply introduced as “Sake Samurai”, a title bestowed in 2016, which added him to the r...

The Sparkling Sake Brewery

25 Jan 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Sparkling sake is on the rise. A style that was often served and enjoyed as an exciting and curious anomaly only a few years ago has become a staple i...

The Sparkling Sake Brewery

25 Jan 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Sparkling sake is on the rise. A style that was often served and enjoyed as an exciting and curious anomaly only a few years ago has become a staple i...

Interviewing George Briant Parsons Inoue of Inoue Shuzo

22 Dec 2022

Contributed by Lukas

It is not so uncommon these days to come across non-Japanese sake brewers, indeed we have featured many on this show, but in the case of this week’s...

Interviewing George Briant Parsons Inoue of Inoue Shuzo

22 Dec 2022

Contributed by Lukas

It is not so uncommon these days to come across non-Japanese sake brewers, indeed we have featured many on this show, but in the case of this week’s...

Seasonal Sake with Namazake Paul

02 Dec 2022

Contributed by Lukas

For Paul Willenberg – aka “Namazake Paul”– namazake is a unique exploration into the seasonality of sake.Based in Portland, Oregon, Paul has b...

Seasonal Sake with Namazake Paul

02 Dec 2022

Contributed by Lukas

For Paul Willenberg – aka “Namazake Paul”– namazake is a unique exploration into the seasonality of sake. Based in Portland, Oregon, Paul has ...

Sake Travel Episode 5: Kyoto with the Sake Concierge

19 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

“My life in Kyoto is my life in sake.”Those few words from this week’s guest, Sake Concierge Takashi “Umio” Eguchi, rather appropriately and...

Sake Travel Episode 5: Kyoto with the Sake Concierge

19 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

“My life in Kyoto is my life in sake.” Those few words from this week’s guest, Sake Concierge Takashi “Umio” Eguchi, rather appropriately an...

Taste with the Toji & Simone Maynard

03 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

As much as this week’s episode is informative, it’s also a bit of a celebration.Simone Maynard (aka: Sake Mistress) has been a dedicated, hard-wor...

Taste with the Toji & Simone Maynard

03 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

As much as this week’s episode is informative, it’s also a bit of a celebration. Simone Maynard (aka: Sake Mistress) has been a dedicated, hard-wo...

Sake Travel Episode 4: Niigata City

19 Oct 2022

Contributed by Lukas

We’re continuing on our Sake Travel series this week with a visit to the city of Niigata. While the entire prefecture of Niigata is littered with fa...

Sake Travel Episode 4: Niigata City

19 Oct 2022

Contributed by Lukas

We’re continuing on our Sake Travel series this week with a visit to the city of Niigata. While the entire prefecture of Niigata is littered with fa...

Sake Travel Episode 3: Hokkaido

05 Oct 2022

Contributed by Lukas

For this third installment of our Sake Travel Series, we’re heading north – way north!More commonly associated with some of the best skiing and sn...

Sake Travel Episode 3: Hokkaido

05 Oct 2022

Contributed by Lukas

For this third installment of our Sake Travel Series, we’re heading north – way north! More commonly associated with some of the best skiing and s...

Unfiltered September 2022

22 Sep 2022

Contributed by Lukas

In August we gave you a taste of our new Sake Travel series, which we’ll be returning to again here shortly.This week, however, we’ve got the firs...

Unfiltered September 2022

22 Sep 2022

Contributed by Lukas

In August we gave you a taste of our new Sake Travel series, which we’ll be returning to again here shortly. This week, however, we’ve got the fir...

Sake Travel Episode 2: Nagano

31 Aug 2022

Contributed by Lukas

In case you missed it, last week we kicked off a new mini-series in Osaka. This week, together with hosts John Gauntner, Rebekah Wilson-Lye, and Chris...

Sake Travel Episode 2: Nagano

31 Aug 2022

Contributed by Lukas

In case you missed it, last week we kicked off a new mini-series in Osaka. This week, together with hosts John Gauntner, Rebekah Wilson-Lye, and Chris...

Sake Travel Episode 1: Osaka

24 Aug 2022

Contributed by Lukas

We’re kicking off a new semi-ongoing series this week!Over the course of the past couple of years, in a world where international visitors have been...

Sake Travel Episode 1: Osaka

24 Aug 2022

Contributed by Lukas

We’re kicking off a new semi-ongoing series this week! Over the course of the past couple of years, in a world where international visitors have bee...

Back on Air Livestream

17 Aug 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Back on Air LivestreamWe can’t believe it has been nearly 4 months since our last “official” show release. Even though it was part of the plan, ...

Back on Air Livestream

17 Aug 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Back on Air Livestream We can’t believe it has been nearly 4 months since our last “official” show release. Even though it was part of the plan,...