Hata Sake Brewery was a liquor store in Shiga Prefecture before becoming a sake brewery. This tiny brewery, one of the smallest in Shiga, is focused on making unique sake and doesn’t concern itself with traditional marketing. Instead, the brewery relies on the unique taste of their sake, which has gained a cultish following and respect from industry experts in Japan. Daijiro sake is rich with umami flavors, full-bodied, and has a subtle sweetness that is brought into balance by it’s high acidity. The characteristics of this sake make it one of the best to pair with heavy and rich foods.

Daijiro - A brand new mission

'Kiryoyoshi' was the original brand at Hata Sake Brewery, but in 1999, a new brand, 'Daijiro', was launched. The new name was given by a monk who recognized that the orginial owner of Hata Sake Brewery and the current owner/toji, share the same name - Daijiro. The mission of the new brand was twofold. First, make sake that pairs well with food. Second, make sake that takes advantage of the 'terroir' in the Higashi-Omi, where Hata is located. Rice is grown locally by a special team of farmers called 'Donbyakusho-no-Kai', who have strict standards about the use of pesticides. Even the labels used on the sake bottles are made of a special paper that comes from local oak trees. Wanting to build partnerships with retail stores and restaurants that understand and appreciate their unique sake and 'local' philosophy, Hata Sake Brewery bypasses wholesale distributors and works directly with their customers.

19-Year-old Sake project

Hata Sake Brewery has recently started a project for 19-year-old students. The goal of the project is to bring together local teens, who are 19 years old and expose them to the sake brewing process. The teens experience the entire brewing cycle from growing and harvesting rice to brewing, bottling, and packing. When the brewing cycle is over, and the teens have turned 20, the legal drinking age in Japan, they will have their first experience with sake. This project engages the younger generation, creating a positive experience around sake. It also allows Hata Sake Brewery to give back to the community that has supported the brewery for generations.

Sake Style

big, full-bodied, rich umami, high acidity, balanced

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