BRING ON THE FUN <
This month was filled with some exciting new sake and loads of fun events around the city & in our taproom, especially celebrating AAPI month with so many of our friends, customers, and partners. Our brewers even made it upstate for a camping trip to pour some sake and lead an amazake workshop with Snowpeak!
As this month comes to a close, we’ll continue to celebrate our community now and always, and we thank you for being a part of that. Here’s a peek into all of our May fun!
SLANT’D AT THE BREWERY!
Maxine (our multi-talented brewer :) curated a new art gallery showing at our taproom, bringing together artists from Slant’d, a nonprofit indie press with an absolutely stunning magazine and the goal of empowering AAPI creatives. To further share their art and magazine, we hosted an art fair with them later in the month, presented by New York Asian Arts Festival. Both events, and getting to view this beautiful art at our brewery has been such a joy, and it’s still on view if you haven’t had the chance to see it- stop by!
PLEASE WELCOME SOME NEW ADDITIONS TO THE LINEUP
Botanikaru!
Inspired by places, people, and ingredients, we’d like to introduce our Botanikaru series. One of the most special things about making sake is being able to experience how others like to enjoy it. We are constantly inspired by our customers; eating their food, tasting their pairings, and drinking their sake cocktails. Noting how different ingredients bring out hidden flavors in our sake, we wanted to join the conversation by crafting our own infusions.
Infused with Magnolia Oolong from Yesfolk and sustainably sourced Black Lime from Burlap & Barrel for a subtle and balanced layer that highlights our Junmai sake.
2. AKITAKOMACHI BEER & SAKE COLLAB
It all started when Alex, Head Brewer at Strong Rope Brewery, met a vendor at the Park Slope Farmers Market. Strong Rope brews only NYS-made beer using local ingredients, so when he spotted rice at Great Joy Family Farm’s booth, he contacted Shinobu right away.
Great Joy Family Farm began with livestock—cattle, sheep, chickens—living in harmony. Over time, they added ducks, geese, and pigs, then started growing organic food for themselves and their animals. With an abundant harvest, they set up a farm stand to share with the community.
Alex and Shinobu had met before at the Kato Sake Works taproom, geeking out over beer and sake making. They had discussed collaborating, but Kato’s rice wasn’t local—until now!
With this collab, we used the same local rice to brew both beer at Strong Rope and sake at KSW, as part of our Kome (“Rice”) Series. Brewers made koji together at Kato and brewed mash at Strong Rope. Now, you can experience how the same ingredient creates two distinct, beautiful beverages. Try them side by side at Strong Rope Brewery!
3. OUR YUZU SAKE IS NOW FEATURING KAWAKAMI YUZU FROM KANKITSU LABO
We’re so excited to announce our transition to Kankitsu Labo’s Kawakami Yuzu in our yuzu sake. While the change is subtle (you can still expect the same general profile of our Yuzu Sake), you may notice that by improving the quality of the yuzu juice, we’re able to capture a brighter, more fragrant citrusy aroma, and the flavor introduces a lovely depth. This new 100% pure yuzu extract comes from Hagi City in Yamaguchi Prefecture, Japan and the specific variety we’re using is Kawakami Yuzu, a highly regarded citrus with a distinctive aroma and long shelf life. Fun Fact! The specialized production method uses a: "Belt Press Juicer" – a side-pressing technique that closely mimics hand-squeezing and results in a smoother, cleaner juice with better oil control, fewer impurities, and more consistent flavor. Now serving at the taproom :)
REMINISCING ON OUR CAMPING ADVENTURE with Snow Peak
Our Production team had the pleasure of joining Snow Peak for their 2025 Snow Peak Way, hosting several sake workshops and enjoying the fresh air with so many new friends.
Shinobu & our brewers teaching a Sake 101 + Amazake Workshop for Snow Peak Way
Rice, Koji, and Amazake residue in a Snow Peak mug
Our sake living its best life in the wilderness with so many new friends <3
PS- Happy Pride! We’re trying something new with our Pride donation bottles this year, so that any bottle can be a pride bottle- stay tuned!