Sakeness

Finally got to go to the new sake brewery here in town, one of only four such breweries in the country. They had a kickstarter a ways back and I pledged but it didn't get funded. When they tried again, I couldn't afford to pledge, but I've been following their progress.

Last week they had their grand opening of the bar part (the brewery proper has to wait on official permits). Right now, they're serving about 50 different sakes along with small plates.

I went with Mary-Anne last Thursday. Our small plates were: pork gyoza, spicy tuna salad, and ginger "pesto" noodles with shrimp. All delicious.

We got a flight of four sakes to taste:
1. Asa Buraki Naburyu Junmai "Southern Stream" -- medium dry, smooth gentle flavors, cypress/cedar notes, rich round body.
2. Momokawa G Joy junmai Genshu -- barrel matured, nutty vanilla layered flavors reminiscent of fine rum.
3. Niwa No Uguisu Tokuetsu Junmai "Garden Nightengale" -- bold, rice forward, slightly sour, essence of dried autumnal fruits.
and
4. Kizakura "blossom of peace" Kyoto plum brewed ume-shu -- plums soaked in sake for three months, lightly sweet, round lush fruit flavor.

This is my preferred order (though #4 is definitely a dessert sake so we kept it for last). Mary-Anne's order is a little different but I can't remember it.

The total was $55 for two (includes tip): not too bad, I thought.

Blue Kudzu Sake
372 Depot St.
Asheville NC