oooh! where? would be interested since i’m a total noob when it comes to sake
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Inside Long Beach Beer Lab (where you can also get beer and kosher, vegetarian meals and baked goods).
Specifically 516 W Willow St., 90806
I’ll be open Thurs. - Sun. 3-8:30pm on “School nights” and 4-10:30pm Fridays and Saturdays.
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How long will you be at this location?
Until I open my own brick and mortar shop next year!
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Sounds great! Thanks!
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Anybody else miss @beefnoguy? Hi Times listed these as their sakes of the year.
This bottle is only $24
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Immensely missed here.
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Anyone going to Sake Day in SFO and have suggestions on how to approach it?
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Hi @js76wisco
I saw on IG that Philip Harper is in SoCal doing events. We went to the one at Hi-Time in 2019. There were a few glitches but still a really good time. If I was going to be in the area I would go again. My favorite sakes were Ice Breaker and the Time Machine which tastes like no other sake I’ve had. Here’s my report.
If you go report back. Thanks.
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Welcome to FTC @Norman_Gennaro!
We thought about going for the first time before Covid hit and all plans haulted. Thanks for the reminder. Maybe we’ll finally make it.
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Welcome to FTC!!!
All excellent sakes in my opinion! I love time machine and ice breaker.
Planning on visiting the brewery later this year, which sells exclusive vintages of time machine and other brewery only releases. Philip Harper is doing a tour around LA, he will be at Bar Uerukamu this Saturday and I think I saw a post by Ototo that he’s coming there as well.
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I’ll probably be there at the 4:30 PM if you’re around and want to go together. In my experience I’ve enjoyed Tamagawa but from my experience it’s different from more common styles. Of the ones I’ve tasted, they have generally not been dry and clean, sweet, or high acid or bubbly. Besides Icebreaker, they’ve generally been more flavorful and impactful. A while back, I would’ve said they would be a bit too umami/savory for me. But the last few times have been very enjoyable and far more approachable than my first tries, which is why I’m going to the tasting. I remember one or two of them getting paired with a Shibumi dinner and going very well with the courses while being very enjoyable in their own rights.
My thoughts are rather amateur so here are a few links from True Sake’s listings which can give you a better explanation of most of the sake being featured:
If you’re interested in trying something different, I’d definitely recommend. The pricing for these tastings I think has generally been reasonable to quite good. The pours can sometimes be too generous in fact. 
Unless you’re going to Japan, where you can have endless choice for substantially cheaper if you seek it, or are a regular of Ototo’s Sake School then I’d think it can be quite worthwhile.
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Enjoy. I don’t think I’m going to be able to make it tonight but will likely try to grab a few bottles the next time I’m in CM.
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I attended years ago when it was held at the JCCC in Japantown SF, and I can caution you against going too hard during the last few minutes at the sound of the closing taiko drum countdown…
Have a small snack before, a dinner reservation lined up after, and certainly don’t drive.
Been drinking at home:
- Tenbi
- Akabu
- Kamonishiki
- Gakki Masamune
- Ohmine
- Gikyo
- Mimurosugi
- Senkin
a bunch can be found at TrueSake, the Sake Day sponsor.
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Good post @pomodoro. Thanks!
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Does the age of the bottle impact aroma before other flavors?
I ask since I have been buying bottles from Uncle Fossil which I like for the selection. I haven’t had what I would call a bad bottle, but the aromas have definitely been muted. I’m assuming age and heat would impact that as in wine but I don’t know what’s considered “old” in sake terms or how to tell given many bottles are not dated.
I had a friend bring a bottle from Japan and it was bottled in ‘24. Uncle Fossil bottles are understandably (if labeled) older and back into ‘23-‘22 maybe even ‘21. Since it’s mail order I guess it’s luck if the draw no matter what…
Looking forward to Sake Day to see if I can tell a difference.