Sake Flavor & Food Pairing Workshop

Sake Flavor & Food Pairing Workshop

Ever looked at a Japanese restaurant's sake list and had no idea what to order?

Why does one sake taste light, bright and almost Champagne-like, while another tastes rich, earthy and full of umami?

In this guided workshop, we'll take away the complicated terminology and help you understand sake through flavor, brewing technique, and food pairing.

You'll taste your way through four distinctive sake styles and discover what makes each one unique.

What You'll Experience

1. Discover How Sake Is Made
   Learn how water, rice, koji and yeast work together—and how brewing choices shape the sake in your glass.
2. Explore White Koji vs. Yellow Koji
   Discover how white koji can create brighter acidity while traditional yellow koji contributes to classic sake flavor profiles.
3. Taste Four Distinctive Sake Styles
   Build your own sake flavor map as we move from light and refreshing to rich and savory:

• Awasake — Sparkling Sake
  Delicate bubbles and refreshing acidity for a bright, lively start.
• Daiginjo — Aromatic & Elegant
  Highly polished rice creates beautiful floral and fruity aromas with a smooth finish.
• Junmai — Rich Rice Character
  Fuller-bodied sake showcasing the natural character and savory depth of rice.
• Yamahai — Deep & Umami-Rich
  Complex, earthy and layered flavors created through a traditional brewing method.

Discover the Art of Sake & Food Pairing

Experience how food can completely change the way sake tastes.

You'll explore three simple pairing principles:

• Flavor Harmony — Match complementary flavors to amplify both the sake and the food.
• Palate Refreshing — Discover how acidity and carbonation can cut through richer foods.
• Weight & Balance — Learn how to pair delicate or full-bodied sake with foods of similar intensity.

4 Sake Styles × 4 Paired Finger Foods

Taste each sake alongside a carefully selected bite and experience firsthand how the right pairing can create an entirely different flavor experience.

Available Sessions:

Wednesday, August 19, 2026 (6:00 PM–7:30 PM)
Sunday, August 23, 2026 (4:00 PM–5:30 PM)
Location: IN Sake Museum at Claremont Packing House
Price: $85 per person
21+ only

Limited seating available. Reserve your spot today.

ENROLLMENT POLICY

Courses are subject to minimum enrollment requirements. If a course is cancelled, participants may transfer to a future session or receive a refund (excluding textbook fees).