Tippsy Sake Blog

Enjoy our collection of unique stories written by our talented writers, many of whom are certified professionals in sake, wine, beer and spirits. Here you’ll find articles that are informative, entertaining, and span the gambit! Our blog has posts for both beginners and sake connoisseurs alike, with topics like sake trivia, cultural/educational readings, food recipes, travelogues, interviews and more.

Categories

• 
  Culture (23)
• 
  Food & Drink (27)
• 
  Recipe (12)
• 
  Sake (63)
• 
  Spotlight (33)
• 
  Travel (13)

Posts

Food & Drink

Tippsy Presents: An Evening with IWA Sake

Taylor Markarian

September 26, 2023

Connecting sake makers with sake drinkers is central to Tippsy’s purpose, so orchestrating an intimate dinner with IWA founder and maker Richard Geoffr...

Sake

The Journey of Branding Tippsy and Sake Itself

Hayataro Sakitsu

September 22, 2023

At the heart of Tippsy is an undying passion for sake — a passion I’ve been privileged to shape and share as its Creative Director from its inception. ...

Sake

What Is Nama Sake?

Taylor Markarian

September 15, 2023

There’s nothing like drinking fresh “namazake” from the brewery tap. As soon as it graces your palate, you get the feeling that it’s somehow alive. Its...

Sake

Brooklyn Kura: History, Bottles, Where To Buy

Sam Fairchild

September 13, 2023

When I was asked to write this profile, I was excited to see that it would be about a domestic sake brewery I absolutely love; one that pays homage to ...

Sake

Ozeki Sake: History, Bottles, Where To Buy

Andrew Lamb

September 5, 2023

In the American sake market, few brands hold the name recognition that Ozeki does. While the brewery is best known for producing the warm house sake of...

Culture

Big Things Brewing in Charlottesville: 3rd Annual Craft Sake Fest

Domenic Alonge

August 25, 2023

The 3rd Annual American Craft Sake Festival took place July 22, 2023 in Charlottesville, Virginia. Having attended and thoroughly enjoyed last year’s e...

Sake

5 Best Warm Sake 2023

Taylor Markarian

August 4, 2023

Back in 2021, we gave our recommendations for some of the best warm sake for you to try. Well, a couple years have passed and we’re at it again. The fa...

Travel

A Floating World: My Tokyo Yakatabune Cruise

Domenic Alonge

July 18, 2023

While living in Taiwan, my wife and I decided to take a weekend trip to Tokyo to celebrate our anniversary. Having found a ludicrously cheap pair of ti...

Culture

The Joy of Sake Shows the Japanese Drink Gaining Ground

Taylor Markarian

July 11, 2023

Everyone knows that New York City is incredibly diverse and extremely densely populated. Still, I was profoundly surprised when I saw the size and dive...

Food & Drink

Japan’s 5 Best Yatai Foods and Sake Pairings

Alice Hama

June 30, 2023

July and August are full of exciting summer festivals (“natsumatsuri”) throughout Japan. The word “natsu” means summer and “matsuri” means festival. H...

Sake

What’s an Ochoko? All About the Sake Cup

Jake Lee

June 28, 2023

The “ochoko” is a traditional drinking cup for sake. It comes in various materials, which can subtly influence the flavor of sake. Though the ochoko is...

Sake

Sake: Resurrecting A Dying Art

Taylor Markarian

June 22, 2023

As a national beverage of Japan, sake is forever intertwined with the country’s cultural identity. The Japanese people have been making sake for millen...

Sake

Is Sake Vegan? Certified Vegan Sake Brands

Andrew Lamb

June 21, 2023

While the diversity of foodstuffs available to our friends who maintain a vegan diet has grown significantly over the last few years, it can still be a...

Sake

Sake Yeast: Ambient, Cultured, Engineered, Natural, Blended

Russell King

June 6, 2023

Editor’s note: The featured image for this article shows three vials of flower-based yeasts. | Courtesy of Amabuki Brewing Company. This article origin...

Sake

The Koji Club: Boston’s First Sake Bar

Taylor Markarian

June 1, 2023

Where: 525 Western Ave Brighton, MA 02135 Hours: 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. (Wed, Sun); 5 p.m. to 11 p.m. (Thurs-Sat) From its NBA team to its pubs, Boston...

Spotlight

Farthest Star Sake: Brewed for New England

Taylor Markarian

May 26, 2023

Where: 120 N. Meadows Road, Medfield, Massachusetts 02052 Hours: 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. (Thurs, Fri); 2 p.m. to 9 p.m. (Sat); 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. (Sun) Todd Be...

Sake

Sake vs Soju vs Shochu: What’s the Difference?

Taylor Markarian

May 23, 2023

The fascinating world of Asian spirits is still somewhat unexplored in the West. It’s located somewhere on the hazy horizon of consumers’ awareness, bu...

Travel

A Local’s Guide to Tokyo Izakaya

Kayoko Hirata Paku

May 17, 2023

After a long grueling day at the office or wandering across the city as a tourist, perhaps you’re ready to sit down and decompress with sake and someth...

Culture

Japanese Drinking Games and How To Play

Taylor Markarian

May 2, 2023

As much as we like to nerd out about rice types, brewing methods and sake meter value, at the end of the day, drinking is about having fun! And what’s ...

Food & Drink

How To Make the Perfect Saketini

Jake Lee

April 28, 2023

The saketini is a familiar yet nuanced modern cocktail. It’s a great beverage for sake drinkers as well as cocktail lovers. Utilizing sake rather than ...

Travel

Sake Brewers for a Day at Mitsutake Brewing Company

Azusa K

April 27, 2023

In March 2023, Japan-based Tippsy members Azusa and Rina visited Mitsutake Brewing Company in Saga prefecture and spent half a day working at the sake ...

Culture

Lucky Japanese Symbols and What They Mean

Louie Anne Batac-Nguyen

April 25, 2023

From the lucky cat to the elegant crane, Japan is a land rich with symbols that are adored and revered. It’s practically impossible not to run into at ...

Sake

Sake, Nihonshu or Seishu? What’s the Difference?

Taylor Markarian

April 13, 2023

Learning about an unfamiliar beverage in a foreign language can be intimidating. That’s definitely part of the reason sake hasn’t yet become as ubiquit...

Sake

Does Sake Have Sugar? Sugar Content in Sake

Taylor Markarian

March 30, 2023

Does sake have sugar? Yes, it does. But how much? If you want to drink but you’re keeping a watchful eye on your sugar intake, you may have a tough tim...

Sake

Does Sake Have Carbs? Is Sake Keto?

Andrew Lamb

March 30, 2023

Carbohydrates: old friend or lifelong nemesis? While plenty of delicious things contain carbohydrates, there are those who avoid them for dietary reaso...

Sake

Sake Meter Value and Acidity, Explained

Taylor Markarian

March 22, 2023

There are many different statistics that can provide insight into the characteristics of a certain sake. At Tippsy, you can find these on each item’s p...

Sake

What Is Umeshu? Is It Really Plum Wine?

Domenic Alonge

March 17, 2023

“Umeshu,” often referred to as plum wine, is a beguiling beverage that leverages the sour characteristics of its namesake fruit, rendering them into a ...

Sake

How Climate Change Affects Sake

The changing climate affects many parts of society, including the sake industry. In recent years, breweries have been challenged to adapt to new soluti...

Spotlight

Tokyo Record Bar: House Party on MacDougal

Where: 127 MacDougal St, New York, NY 10012 Hours: 6:30 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. (Mon-Wed); 6:30 p.m., 8:30 p.m. and 10:30 p.m. (Thu-Sat) I love any place...

Spotlight

Juban NYC: A Sake Lover’s Journey Comes to Life

Where: 207 10th Ave, New York, NY, 10011 Hours: 4:30 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. (Sun, Tues-Thurs), 4:30 p.m. to 11 p.m. (Fri and Sat) New York City’s Juban ...

Food & Drink

What Is Omakase? An Evening at Sushi Nakazawa

Louie Anne Batac-Nguyen

February 15, 2023

A few months ago, I was at Japan Village in Brooklyn’s Industry City, an old warehouse complex turned into a vibrant community of food, arts and crafts...

Spotlight

NYC’s Accidental Bar Brings Local Flavor to Japanese Sake

Taylor Markarian

February 10, 2023

Where: 98 Avenue C, New York, NY 10009 Hours: 5 p.m. to 11 p.m. (Sun-Wed), 5 p.m. to 12 a.m. (Thurs-Sat) People often seek an authentic Japanese exp...

Food & Drink

A Complete Mixology Guide: 15 Sake Cocktail Recipes

Jake Lee

February 8, 2023

Sake is often drunk on its own as a stand-alone beverage. But what if it didn’t have to be? This article will explore different cocktail recipes that f...

Spotlight

Sake Bar Decibel: NYC’s Favorite Japanese Dive Bar

Taylor Markarian

February 3, 2023

Where: 240 E. 9th St. New York, NY 10003 Hours: 6 p.m. to 12 a.m. (Tue, Wed, Thur, Sun), 6 p.m. to 2 a.m. (Fri and Sat) There is a reason Sake Bar D...

Sake

What Is Sakamai? 20 Types of Sake Rice To Know

Andrew Lamb

February 2, 2023

We here at Tippsy absolutely, unashamedly, without a doubt love rice. If you’re like us, you’ve grabbed a bottle of sake, spun it around to look for th...

Spotlight

East Meets West at Rabbit House Omakase & Sake Bar NYC

Taylor Markarian

January 25, 2023

Where: 41 Essex Street, New York, NY 10002 Hours: 5:30 p.m. to 11 p.m. (Tues-Wed), 5:30 p.m. to 12 a.m. (Thu), 5:30 p.m. to 1 a.m. (Fri and Sat), 5:30 ...

Spotlight

SakaMai NYC: Haute Cuisine Meets Sake Expertise

Taylor Markarian

January 24, 2023

Where: 157 Ludlow Street, New York, NY 10002 Hours: 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. (Sun-Thu), 5 p.m. to 11 p.m. (Fri and Sat) Walk into SakaMai and you’ll immediat...

Spotlight

Yakitoriguy: Yakitori, Sake and the Art of Japanese Craftsmanship

Taylor Markarian

January 19, 2023

Editor’s note: This interview has been condensed for clarity. Yakitoriguy doesn’t tell anyone his real name. He doesn’t want people to get distracte...

Spotlight

Why French Master Blenders Are Making Sake

Taylor Markarian

December 22, 2022

Editor’s note: Some quotes in this article have been translated from their original French. At Tippsy, we’ve long believed it, but two former chefs de...

Recipe

Oden Recipe: The Essential Wintertime Japanese Stew

Alice Hama

December 20, 2022

Oden is a type of Japanese stew with traditional ingredients such as daikon radish, chikuwa, hanpen, tsumire, ganmodoki, konnyaku, etc. (I’ll explain w...

Sake

Is Sake Rice Wine?

Domenic Alonge

December 16, 2022

There is a quote attributed to Socrates that goes something along the lines of, “The only true wisdom is in knowing that you know nothing.” Well, befor...

Sake

Is Sake Good or Bad for You? Sake Health Benefits

Andrew Lamb

November 30, 2022

It’s time to tackle the elephant in the koji room. Often when talking about sake we get asked, “Is sake good for you? Or is sake bad for you?” And hone...

Culture

Sake Ceremonies and Traditions You Should Know

Louie Anne Batac-Nguyen

November 17, 2022

It might not be obvious at first, but the act of pouring sake for someone is not just a modern dining tradition; it has roots in Japan’s native religio...

Culture

Sake in the Traditional Japanese Arts

Kayoko Hirata Paku

October 28, 2022

For the Japanese, sake is more than just an alcoholic beverage enjoyed during meals and festivities. Culturally, sake has an ancient connection with ar...

Sake

What Is a Sake Bomb?

Jake Lee

October 26, 2022

What is a sake bomb? Explained plainly, it is a “shot” of sake and a pint of beer poured with room so that the sake can be dropped into the glass and c...

Culture

How To Celebrate World Sake Day

Alice Hama

September 23, 2022

Oct. 1 is World Sake Day. It is the day to celebrate and share the joy and love of sake with your family and friends. The day was established by Japan ...

Sake

Is All Sake Gluten Free?

Louie Anne Batac-Nguyen

September 8, 2022

Here at Tippsy, we get a lot of inquiries from curious drinkers about how sake affects one’s health. One of the questions that comes our way concerns o...

Sake

What Does Sake Taste Like?

Taylor Markarian

August 30, 2022

Trying sake just once won’t give you a good idea what sake tastes like. Why? Because there are literally thousands of ways to make Japan’s national bev...

Travel

Best Sake Bars To Visit in Tokyo

Kayoko Hirata Paku

August 30, 2022

As the country’s capital for over 400 years, Tokyo boasts the best curated sake experiences. While sake saw a decline in drinkers in the postwar era, t...

Culture

New York Dassai Party 2022: Celebrating the Future of Sake

Taylor Markarian

July 29, 2022

At the top of a skyscraper in New York City’s Financial District, the swanky SAGA restaurant boasts a jaw-dropping panoramic view of one of the world’s...

Travel

A Guide To Visiting Sake Breweries in Japan

Domenic Alonge

July 26, 2022

We can all raise a glass and kampai to the good news that travel restrictions have started to ease in Japan. Packaging your bags may be too soon, but i...

Sake

Everything You Need To Know About Koji Rice

Russell King

June 8, 2022

There is an expression in sake brewing: “Ichi koji, ni moto, san tsukuri.” It means: “Koji first, moto (starter culture) second, brewing third.” When i...

Culture

Father’s Day Gift Guide

Taylor Markarian

June 1, 2022

Father’s Day is all about demonstrating the admiration, love, gratitude and respect you have for the father figures in your life. It’s also about showi...

Sake

What Is Nigori “Cloudy” Sake? Unclouding Nigori Sake

Russell King

March 16, 2022

Nigori sake is a modern rediscovery of the traditional style of sake. Originally all sake was milky-looking, then brewers started making clear sake, an...

Recipe

Gochujang Marinated Pork Rib Recipe

​​Susan Yoon

March 9, 2022

One meat dish that cannot go unappreciated in Korean cuisine is “doeji kalbi,” gochujang marinated pork ribs. I grew up eating doeji kalbi at a small r...

Sake

The First Sake of the Year: Hatsushibori, Shiboritate and Arabashiri

Alice Hama

February 28, 2022

There are several Japanese terms to describe the types of winter/spring sake. Even though the terms do not have any legal requirements or definitions, ...

Culture

How To Pair Sake With Music

Taylor Markarian

February 25, 2022

Gourmets always talk about pairing the right alcohol with the right meal to create the ultimate tasting experience. (Like which sake to enjoy with our ...

Culture

Sake for Game Day

Louie Anne Batac-Nguyen

February 7, 2022

American football is a sport that I have trouble keeping up with. It doesn’t seem so straightforward to me, and I’m always wondering about the starts a...

Recipe

Miso Cod Recipe

Alice Hama

January 31, 2022

Saikyo miso-glazed black cod, or just “miso cod” in the U.S., is a savory Japanese fish dish made by marinating fish in a paste made with miso, mirin, ...

Travel

US Sake Brewery Tour and Tasting Guide

Brad Smith

January 14, 2022

Looking for the ultimate sake tasting experience? Scheduling a brewery tour or visiting a tasting room near you may be easier than you think. A growin...

Recipe

Three Classic Cocktails with Sake

Louie Anne Batac-Nguyen

January 12, 2022

Sometimes, a good cocktail is what’s needed! Especially in the cooler months when beer feels out of sync with the weather and wine might be a little h...

Culture

Holiday Gift Ideas for Anime Lovers

Taylor Markarian

December 22, 2021

Luckily, there is no shortage of amazing gifts for anime lovers out there. With literally hundreds of anime shows and movies to stream online, such as ...

Sake

What Is Taru Sake and What Gives It Such a Unique Flavor?

Russell King

December 22, 2021

When I was learning about sake and its history, I wanted to find out what the most authentic sake flavors were. I tried doburoku (unrefined sake), nigo...

Sake

Gold Winners from 2021 U.S. National Sake Appraisal

Brad Smith

December 21, 2021

The results are in for the 2021 U.S. National Sake Appraisal, the most important sake competition held in the States. Learn about why these awards mat...

Recipe

Buttermilk Biscuit Sandwich with Ham & Cheese Recipe

​​Susan Yoon

December 16, 2021

As the weather cools and the holiday season creeps up we start to crave richer foods. One of my favorite things to make for holiday gatherings is butte...

Culture

American Pop Culture Meets Japanese Tradition with Foo Fighters Sake

Recent years have seen an increased appreciation for many aspects of Japanese culture, from a renewed interest in watching anime to the exploration of ...

Sake

What Is Cooking Sake? How It’s Different From Drinking Sake

Russell King

November 29, 2021

Sake is very important in Japanese cuisine. It is a building block in the flavor of marinades and soups. It is used when stir-frying, steaming foods, c...

Culture

5 Best Anime on Netflix to Watch This Winter

Taylor Markarian

November 20, 2021

Picking the best anime on Netflix is an exciting yet regrettable project. There are so many amazing anime shows available for streaming that narrowing ...

Food & Drink

5 Reasons Sake Box Is a Perfect Gift

Louie Anne Batac-Nguyen

November 19, 2021

When the holidays come around, three things come to mind: don’t stress, don’t overspend and make the best of time with family and friends. So when it c...

Recipe

Nikomi Hambagu (Stewed Japanese Hamburg Steak)

Alice Hama

November 15, 2021

Hambagu is an iconic yoshoku dish, a western-inspired Japanese dish. Growing up, this was a special occasion menu for me as my mom always served it on...

Sake

5 Best Warm Sake Brands (2021)

Brad Smith

November 9, 2021

A hot beverage on a cold night can be so satisfying. So it’s time to celebrate because warm sake season is here. If you’re looking to take your hot sa...

Spotlight

Building the Aizu’s Terroir with Renewable Energy-Yamatogawa

Mitsue “Mimi” Islas-Hosokawa

November 8, 2021

While there are many sake breweries that aim to be sustainable and eco-friendly, Yamatogawa Brewing Company takes the extra mile by generating renewabl...

Food & Drink

Japanese Hot Pot and Sake

Louie Anne Batac-Nguyen

November 5, 2021

When the crisp autumn winds tap on the window, it’s time for hot pot! Nabemono, a compound word made up of nabe for “cooking pot” and mono for “things...

Spotlight

One of the Youngest Yet Most Refined Sake Brands, Ninki-Ichi

Mitsue “Mimi” Islas-Hosokawa

October 28, 2021

While there are many sake breweries with a long history in Fukushima, Ninki Brewing Company started its brand in 2007. The president, Yujin Yusa, chall...

Sake

Hiyaoroshi: Enchanting Fall Seasonal Sake

Alice Hama

October 26, 2021

What is “hiyaoroshi”? The short answer is it refers to the seasonal limited sake only available throughout the autumn, usually September to November. ...

Sake

Celebrate Hello Kitty’s Birthday with Hello Kitty Nigori Sake

Taylor Markarian

October 15, 2021

What better way is there to celebrate the birth of a Japanese icon than with Japanese sake? Today, we kampai to Hello Kitty, the “kawaii” (cute) Sanrio...

Spotlight

The Secret of Long-loved Flavor of Naraman Sake

Mitsue “Mimi” Islas-Hosokawa

October 8, 2021

Yumegokoro Brewing Company is famous for their award-winning Naraman series. The brewery president, Nobuo Shoji, shares his humble work ethic of cheris...

Culture

Authentic Hakata Experience in Los Angeles

Alice Hama

October 6, 2021

In this article, I would like to introduce one of my favorite spots from my recent visits, Hakata Izakaya Hero. Nestled in the heart of “Tehrangeles” i...

Spotlight

Craftsmanship That Moves People—Homare Brewing Company

Mitsue “Mimi” Islas-Hosokawa

October 4, 2021

Among Tippsy’s fruity sake fans, Homare is one of the most beloved brands with delightful and unique fruity flavored sake. The fourth-generation brewer...

Spotlight

Making The Best Quality Sake Accessible Worldwide—Okunomatsu

Mitsue “Mimi” Islas-Hosokawa

October 1, 2021

Anyone who follows major sake competitions have most likely heard of Okunomatsu Brewing Company, as some of their sake brands regularly win gold medals...

Spotlight

The Pride of Aizu Toji and Suehiro Brewing Company

Mitsue “Mimi” Islas-Hosokawa

September 25, 2021

Suehiro Brewing Company is one of the most fun breweries to visit—located in one of the beautiful tourist destinations in Tohoku, Aizu Wakamatsu, Fukus...

Sake

Koshu: Aged Sake Brands, History and How-To

Brad Smith

September 23, 2021

Aged sake was considered a luxury product for hundreds of years. It was the pinnacle of sake. These days, consumers expect youthful and clean sake. Th...

Culture

Sake for Tsukimi, the Harvest Moon

Louie Anne Batac-Nguyen

September 15, 2021

What is it about the moon that brings wonder? Is it the glow or pull on the waves, or how it appears to us in different shapes? If you haven’t gazed at...

Culture

Best Sake for Your Chinese Zodiac Sign

Taylor Markarian

September 8, 2021

Last update: January 12, 2023. Japanese culture and Chinese culture have always been intertwined. The kanji in the Japanese writing system, for exampl...

Spotlight

How Heiwa Transformed Their Sake Brewery with a Startup Approach

Mitsue “Mimi” Islas-Hosokawa

September 1, 2021

Among many innovative sake breweries out there, Heiwa Brewing Company sheds light on a bit of a different angle to change the way they make sake. This ...

Sake

What is Junmai Sake or “Pure Rice” Sake?

Russell King

August 25, 2021

“To junmai or not junmai … that is the question,” and one I hope to answer in this article. There are a bunch of different ways to pick sake and unders...

Sake

10 Best Cold Sake

Louie Anne Batac-Nguyen

August 17, 2021

Last updated: August 12, 2022. There is an expression that sake can be made 10,000 ways. So, when people ask how to drink sake, which one to try and w...

Sake

Does Sake Go Bad?

Alice Hama

August 12, 2021

Last updated: June 6, 2022. Does sake go bad? The answer is: yes and no. It all depends on how well the sake is stored. Before we move on to details,...

Food & Drink

Yuzu—1 Sake, 3 Ways

Louie Anne Batac-Nguyen

August 9, 2021

As watermelon is the fruit of summer in the United States, so is fresh yuzu in Japan. But exactly what is this bright yellow surprise? Believed to be a...

Sake

Nada vs Fushimi Sake Tasting

Brad Smith

August 5, 2021

Terroir is a French word meaning a sense of place. The term is often associated with wines from the great regions of the world. The unique traits of ea...

Recipe

Napolitan Pasta recipe

Alice Hama

July 26, 2021

I cooked this dish one night when my Sommelier friends came over to my place after working a late night shift. I did not have much ingredients left in ...

Spotlight

Sake without limitation—Daishichi

Mitsue “Mimi” Islas-Hosokawa

July 14, 2021

If you are a kimoto sake fan, you might have come across Daishichi Brewing Company at some point. They are known for brewing sake strictly with traditi...

Sake

How To Pour Sake: Mokkiri vs Wine Glass

Alice Hama

June 28, 2021

Have you ever seen sake being served with a wooden box and wondered how you should drink it? This wooden box is called masu. It was originally used as...

Spotlight

Sake Evangelist, John Gauntner

Mitsue “Mimi” Islas-Hosokawa

June 11, 2021

John Gauntner is one of the world’s first few leading non-Japanese sake professionals, and is celebrated as the Sake Evangelist. He has published books...

Sake

How To Drink Sake with the Right Sake Cup

Domenic Alonge

June 4, 2021

Last updated: September 29, 2022. So, you’ve poured over the incredible selection of sake at Tippsy. Your order arrives, you grab a bottle and, admiri...

Recipe

Japanese Katsu Sando Recipe

Alice Hama

June 1, 2021

Katsu sando “Sando” is the word Japanese people use for sandwich for short, like a nickname. When you go to a “konbini” (convenience store) in Japan, ...

Sake

Kimoto: The Living History of Sake

Bryan West

May 25, 2021

Over the past hundred years or so, the sake community as a whole has always had an intimate relationship with the past and the future. There have been ...

Spotlight

500 Years of History and Beyond—Shichi Hon Yari and Yasunobu Tomita

Mitsue “Mimi” Islas-Hosokawa

May 17, 2021

Tomita Brewing Company is one of the most historical sake breweries in Japan. Their world-famous Shichi Hon Yari sake series is carefully brewed all by...

Travel

My SAGA SAKE SAGA Experience

Louie Anne Batac-Nguyen

May 13, 2021

This past March, Tippsy partnered with Sake Discoveries to host the Saga Sake Saga event which not only featured a set of three delicious sake and a sp...

Food & Drink

Best Sushi in Los Angeles: Kiriko Sushi

Alice Hama

April 26, 2021

Hi Tippsy fans! My name is Alice Hama. I am one of the contributing writers at Tippsy. For those of you who do not know about me, I am a certified som...

Sake

Behind The Scenes: Tippsy’s Quality Control

Sachiko Miyagi

April 23, 2021

Tippsy currently carries 300+ different sake. We are in the process of adding 120 more delicious selections. And I’m the lucky one on the product team ...

Sake

Spring Sake for Cherry Blossom Season

Louie Anne Batac-Nguyen

April 10, 2021

The Japanese cherry blossoms have arrived in D.C.—spring is here! And with spring comes the best type of picnic, the kind that’s meant for hanami, or f...

Sake

Sake and Alcohol Content: The ABC’s on ABV

Bryan West

March 25, 2021

Recently, Tippsy has been receiving a lot of questions from curious drinkers on the alcohol content in sake. Is it more or less than wine? Is it hard a...

Recipe

Easy Hand Roll Sushi Recipe with Sake

Alice Hama

March 25, 2021

Temaki literally means “a hand roll.” At a sushi restaurant, it is usually a cone-shaped sushi wrapped with nori seaweed. Temaki can also mean do-it-yo...

Spotlight

The World of Sake is Where Women Can Shine—Yuho and Miho Fujita

Mitsue “Mimi” Islas-Hosokawa

March 8, 2021

Although female sake professionals are emerging more than ever today, the majority of brewery presidents in Japan (or any other industry in general) ar...

Travel

Regional sake guide: Tohoku & Hokkaido

Alice Hama

March 3, 2021

Tohoku region is known for its excellent rice production with a profound food culture. I mentioned how Edo (modern-day Tokyo) became the epicenter fo...

Food & Drink

Perfect Pairings with Plum Sake

Louie Anne Batac-Nguyen

March 2, 2021

Early spring in Japan You might believe the flowering trees to be cherry blossoms but it is actually the plum blossom that graces the landscape beginn...

Spotlight

Sake for Everyone’s Bright Future—Atsuhide Kato and Born

Mitsue “Mimi” Islas-Hosokawa

February 12, 2021

Atsuhide Kato is an 11th-generation brewery president at Katoukichibee Shouten. With over 160 years of history, the brewery has been making high qualit...

Sake

Seven Best Sake Picks for 2021

Bryan West

February 5, 2021

With the year 2020 happily in the rearview mirror, we’re all hoping for better things to come on the road ahead. It’s been nearly a year now since I st...

Food & Drink

For a Happy Valentine, Try Chocolate with Sake

Louie Anne Batac-Nguyen

January 30, 2021

Here we are, 2021! Although we’re still figuring out a lot, the new year brings a sense of relief and excitement that we might one day soon be able to ...

Sake

U.S. National Sake Appraisal Gold Award-winners

Sachiko Miyagi

January 25, 2021

On October 17, 2020, nine sake experts gathered at the Hawaii Convention Center to judge 502 sake submitted from Japan, the United States and Mexico fo...

Travel

Regional Sake Guide: Kanto Region

Alice Hama

January 17, 2021

In the first series of regional sake guide, we talked about important factors characterizing the regional style of sake. In this fourth article of th...

Spotlight

Celebrate the New Year with Taru Sake—Hidekazu Tanisawa and Choryo

Mitsue “Mimi” Islas-Hosokawa

January 6, 2021

|You might have seen images of sake in barrels, but have you tried it before? Choryo Brewing Company’s signature Yoshinosugi no Taru Sake is a bottled ...

Recipe

Cheesing out of 2020 — How to Build a Charcuterie Board

Louie Anne Batac-Nguyen

December 24, 2020

Growing up, I had the impression that cheese and pepperoni slices were just common go-to snacks that parents would toss into their kids’ lunchboxes. I ...

Spotlight

Expanding The Horizon of Sake—Dassai and Kazuhiro Sakurai

Mitsue “Mimi” Islas-Hosokawa

December 16, 2020

A number of Tippsy customers are sure to agree with us that drinking Dassai makes any dining experience magical. Dassai is produced at Asahi Shuzo Comp...

Food & Drink

Seasonal Sake Box for Every Taste—a Sake Sommelier’s Guide

Bryan West

December 16, 2020

At the beginning of the fall, Tippsy began an exciting new approach to their subscription service. Each season, subscription holders will now receive s...

Food & Drink

Virtual Sake Party — How to Celebrate the Holidays during COVID

Louie Anne Batac-Nguyen

November 29, 2020

Holiday gatherings are a little tricky this year. We want to keep safe but as the holidays roll in, it becomes more difficult to keep to ourselves. Aft...

Travel

Regional sake guide: Chubu Region

Alice Hama

November 19, 2020

Chubu Region is the central area of Japan’s mainland Honshu island, sitting between Kansai and Kanto Region. The Chubu Region covers Japan’s importan...

Spotlight

Ever-evolving Flavor—Kubota and Motoyoshi Yamaga

Mitsue “Mimi” Islas-Hosokawa

November 4, 2020

Many have heard of and tried Kubota sake, brewed by Asahi-shuzo Sake Brewing Company in Niigata prefecture. This year marks the 35th anniversary of Mot...

Food & Drink

Filipino Food and Sake

Louie Anne Batac-Nguyen

October 29, 2020

Although it might seem that Japanese restaurants are everywhere, this wasn’t the case 50 years ago. Until the 1960s, Japanese food was still perceived ...

Travel

Regional sake guide: Chugoku and Kansai Region

Alice Hama

October 16, 2020

In the first series of regional sake guide, we talked about important factors characterizing the regional style of sake. Nada of Hyogo Prefecture, F...

Spotlight

Organic Sake As a Positive Cause for The Future—Tentaka and Munenori Ozaki

Mitsue “Mimi” Islas-Hosokawa

October 9, 2020

Munenori Ozaki is the third-generation kuramoto (brewery president) at Tentaka Brewing Company keeping up with the challenge of making sake delicious a...

Sake

Beat The Heat: Cold Sake

Bryan West

September 28, 2020

Although the days of summer are behind us and autumn is officially here, sometimes the thermometer would make you think otherwise. With plenty of warm ...

Food & Drink

Sake Sommelier Pairing Ideas: Shinsei “Junmai Daiginjo”

Alice Hama

September 16, 2020

Yamamoto Honke was established in 1677 in the Fushimi Ward of Kyoto Prefecture. Fushimi is home to Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine, Japan’s best-known Shin...

Sake

One-on-one Sake Tasting with Hakkaisan

Louie Anne Batac-Nguyen

September 10, 2020

When I learned that Tippsy would be offering a set of Hakkaisan sake, I couldn’t wait to try it. Hakkaisan was one of the first brands I purposely trie...

Spotlight

Revitalizing The Sake Making in Shonan — Tensei and Tetsuro Igarashi

Mitsue “Mimi” Islas-Hosokawa

September 4, 2020

Tetsuro Igarashi is a toji at Kumazawa Brewing Company. Their famous Tensei series is widely enjoyed as the perfect summer sake. Kumazawa brews both sa...

Travel

Regional sake guide: Kyushu, Okinawa & Shikoku Islands

Alice Hama

August 12, 2020

What characterizes the regional style of sake? First, breweries have historically chosen locations with certain conditions, such as climate and geogra...

Spotlight

Flavor of “Never Giving Up” Passion—Fukucho Sake and Miho Imada

Mitsue “Mimi” Islas-Hosokawa

August 6, 2020

Starting this month, we are kicking off a new blog series, Sake Brewery Spotlight. The series starts off with a delightful dialogue with Miho Imada, a ...

Sake

A Silver Lining in Every Cloud: An Introduction to Nigori Sake

Bryan West

July 28, 2020

Nigori, meaning “cloudy,” refers to a style of sake that is coarsely filtered, allowing a portion of the rice sediment to be left in the finished brew....

Food & Drink

Fun & Safe Summer Bucket List

Louie Anne Batac-Nguyen

July 15, 2020

These days may have you feeling like Rapunzel wondering, When will my life begin? You’ve probably baked dozens of bread, completed a few DIY projects, ...

Food & Drink

Sake Sommelier Pairing Ideas: Asabiraki “Suijin”

Alice Hama

July 2, 2020

Asabiraki “Suijin” is one of the popular sake produced by Asabiraki Brewery located in Iwate Prefecture. Asabiraki brewery was established in 1871 by t...

Sake

Dassai Sake: “23,” “39,” “45,” “Nigori” and “Beyond”

Bryan West

June 25, 2020

Last updated: April 7, 2023. For many sake enthusiasts outside of Japan, myself included, drinking Dassai was a revelatory “wow!” moment. Until very r...

Culture

Five Perfect Sake to Celebrate Father’s Day

Louie Anne Batac-Nguyen

June 16, 2020

Fathers are a talented bunch. Even when something is new to them and there are no manuals or roadmaps, somehow, they get things done! Some of my fondes...

Food & Drink

Comprehensive Sake Pairing Ideas for Wine Lovers and Sake Beginners

Alice Hama

June 9, 2020

As the Japanese culinary trend evolves and consumers become familiar with sake, sommeliers are increasingly observing the rise of the importance of “sa...

Sake

Sparkling Sake Brunch at Home

Louie Anne Batac-Nguyen

June 1, 2020

Brunch is a most pleasurable time. In some places, it can begin as early as 9:00 in the morning and end as late as 4:00 in the afternoon, solving the q...

Food & Drink

May in Quarantine—Tippsy and Takeout, Part 2

Bryan West

May 26, 2020

May rolls along and we find ourselves continuing to do our part to stay safe and healthy by remaining at home. It seemed right to pair this month’s sak...

Food & Drink

April in Quarantine — Tippsy and Takeout

Bryan West

April 24, 2020

So it’s been a month now. A month of isolation, a month of social distancing, a month of sorely missing all the creature comforts we took for granted n...

Food & Drink

Cheese and Sake Pairing

Alice Hama

April 8, 2020

As sake attracts growing interest among international sommeliers, the idea of cheese and sake pairing has become a trendy topic. Sake contains lactic a...

Sake

Finding Your Zen with Sake

Louie Anne Batac-Nguyen

April 6, 2020

The weeks leading up to cherry blossom season in Washington, D.C., are packed with much anticipation and excitement. Every year, thousands of visitors ...

Food & Drink

My March Tippsy Box

Bryan West

March 19, 2020

Let’s face it: we’re dealing with some very strange and uncertain times. It’s more important than ever to find a way to inject a bit of joy into your l...

Food & Drink

How to Setup a Sake Bar at Home

Louie Anne Batac-Nguyen

March 5, 2020

The next best thing to actually being in Japan is eating really good Japanese food with sake in hand. There is something so comforting and satisfying a...

Food & Drink

My February Tippsy Box

Bryan West

February 24, 2020

I recently received my first subscription box from Tippsy, and couldn’t wait to see (and taste) what they had sent me. It’s so fun to get a package eac...

Sake

5 Sake Picks for a Romantic Date

Alice Hama

January 31, 2020

February is just around the corner! That means that Valentine’s Day is approaching. If you are looking for a perfect gift for your loved ones, how abo...

Sake

Top 5 Best Sake for Beginners

Louie Anne Batac-Nguyen

January 14, 2020

It’s been an amazing year for Japanese sake and 2020 has much more in store! With sake, “beauty is in the eye of the drinker” and with so much variety ...

Food & Drink

Sake Sommelier Pairing Ideas: Nanbu Bijin “AWA Sparkling”

Alice Hama

December 3, 2019

This is a refreshing and elegant sparkling sake made by Nanbu Bijin Brewery located in Iwate Prefecture. Established in 1902, the brewery has been a tr...

Food & Drink

Pairing Sake with Your Thanksgiving Meal

Louie Anne Batac-Nguyen

November 20, 2019

The Thanksgiving meal is one of my favorite meals to prepare because it’s the single occasion out of the entire year when I don’t have to figure out wh...

Sake

Best Hot Sake

Louie Anne Batac-Nguyen

October 22, 2019

For many people, their first encounter with Japanese sake was through a sake bomb, a spin-off from the popular Irish car bomb but with the added attrac...

Culture

Raise Your Glass for World Sake Day

Louie Anne Batac-Nguyen

October 1, 2019

Today is World Sake Day! Across Japan and around the world, sake’s heritage and history will be celebrated with sake tasting and food pairing events. I...

Spotlight

Spotlight: Aya Nomoto

Louie Anne Batac-Nguyen

September 24, 2019

Aya Nomoto is an accomplished and dedicated sake professional, sommelier, and educator with Level 3 WSET certifications and awards. As a business devel...

Recipe

Tippsy Recipe & Shichida “75”

Alice Hama

August 9, 2019

Miso-Marinated Pork with Shichida “75” Total time: 40 minutes prep plus overnight marinade Category: Japanese Sake to pair: Shichida “75” by Tenzan ...

Spotlight

Spotlight: Jessica Joly (Part 2)

Louie Anne Batac-Nguyen

August 2, 2019

Jessica Joly is Marketing Director for Sake Discoveries, a New York-based company spreading sake awareness through events, branding, and education. Soo...

Recipe

Apple Fennel Salad Recipe & Fukuju “Blue”

Alice Hama

June 24, 2019

Apple Fennel Salad Total time: 20 minutes Category: Italian-inspired Appetizer Sake to pair: Fukuju Blue by Kobe Shushinkan (Hyogo Prefecture) Alic...

Spotlight

Spotlight: Jessica Joly (Part 1)

Louie Anne Batac-Nguyen

May 22, 2019

Bringing Sake to New Audiences Jessica Joly is bringing sake to new audiences around the country with her passion, energy, and extensive knowledge. Ba...

Travel

Sake-Tasting Tour at Ishikawa Brewing Company, Tokyo

Hayataro Sakitsu

April 20, 2019

Two weeks ago, my girlfriend and I were vacationing in Japan and looking for something to do for a half-day in Tokyo. “What about visiting a sake brewe...

Culture

Bringing Japan Home: IKEBANA

Louie Anne Batac-Nguyen

April 13, 2019

Seeing the cherry blossoms in person is a wonderful experience, but for those who are unable to travel this season, there's another way to bring home a...

Culture

Enchanting Sakura

Louie Anne Batac-Nguyen

April 6, 2019

Spring is one of Japan’s most beloved seasons. It is a time of beginnings, and for sake lovers, a time to enjoy sake after the traditional brewing seas...

Sake

Is the Most Expensive Sake the Tastiest? Not Always

Saki Kimura

March 27, 2019

Sake has a range of prices ranging from reasonable to luxurious. Sometimes, buyers say, "Let's buy higher-grade, more expensive sake than usual as a re...

Spotlight

Spotlight: Bridging Sake & Wine, Tippsy Interviews Alice Hama

Louie Anne Batac-Nguyen

March 20, 2019

LA: What inspired you to become a wine sommelier? And why did you choose to focus on wine more than sake? ALICE: It was September of 2007. I was in Fr...

Food & Drink

Sake Recommendations for Wine Drinkers

Saki Kimura

March 11, 2019

Do you like wine? If you like wine, you might be interested in sake, which is commonly known as "rice wine". Sake has high affinity with wine and it is...

Sake

Fact 5: Sake Complements More Than Japanese Cuisine

Saki Kimura

February 22, 2019

Where do you drink sake? In San Francisco, where I live, we often see them at sushi spots, izakaya-style restaurants, ramen shops and so forth. Because...

Sake

Fact 4: You Should Not Make Sake Piping Hot

Saki Kimura

February 1, 2019

If you’ve just started becoming interested in sake, you might lean towards serving it warm or hot. If you have a little more knowledge about sake, you ...

Sake

Can You Make Sake with Regular Table Rice?

Seika Suzuki

January 25, 2019

You might already know that sake is made of rice, but most people are probably unfamiliar with the kind of rice used for sake brewing. Do brewers use s...

Spotlight

Spotlight continued: Tippsy Interviews Timothy Sullivan (Part 2)

Louie Anne Batac-Nguyen

January 19, 2019

Last week, we shared Part 1 of our interview with sake educator, sommelier, and Hakkaisan's Global Brand Ambassador Timothy Sullivan. Timothy is deeply...

Spotlight

Spotlight: Tippsy Interviews Timothy Sullivan (Part 1)

Louie Anne Batac-Nguyen

January 10, 2019

Timothy Sullivan’s passion for Japanese sake has played a significant part in the opening and evolution of the sake industry in the United States. In 2...

Sake

Fact 2: Sake is Not a Spirit

Saki Kimura

December 28, 2018

One of the most shocking sake experiences working as a sake sommelier in Tokyo was when I saw a visitor from overseas chugging a glass of sake. Surpris...

Sake

Fact 3: Sake should Not Always be Preserved Like Wine

Saki Kimura

December 28, 2018

When you go to a liquor store in the United States looking for sake, you might be a little frustrated to find that sake that should be refrigerated is ...

Sake

Why Is the Brand “Dassai” So Famous?

Genki Ito

December 17, 2018

How did “Dassai” brand become so famous? See how a small brewery located in a distant town in Yamaguchi Prefecture innovated the sake industry. Global...

Culture

Top 5 Gifts for Sake Lovers

Louie Anne Batac-Nguyen

December 11, 2018

The biggest shopping days may be behind us, but have you crossed off everyone on your list? Check out our Top 5 gift recommendations for your sake-lovi...

Sake

What is Rice Polishing Ratio?

Seika Suzuki

November 11, 2018

When you are looking for sake, you might find a percentage on the bottle label typically ranging from 20% to 90%. This is not the alcohol level but the...

Culture

Journey Into Sake

Louie Anne Batac-Nguyen

October 15, 2018

A memorable sip My first taste of sake is like a first kiss--fleeting and unforgettable. Who forgets one’s first kiss? One memorable summer evening i...

Sake

Fact 1: Sake is Made From Rice

Saki Kimura

October 1, 2018

Sake, Japanese traditional alcoholic drink, is mysterious and complicated. Its flavor can easily change depending on temperature, vessels and food. Tho...