SAKE DAY 2026 – Sneak Peek At Some of The Breweries and Brews
Ok! Who’s getting stoked for tasting some killer sake en mass? This year’s SAKE DAY will be the 21st sake celebration that is all about showing love and appreciation to sake makers who trek from Japan to pour you their wares! In a word, they love it. Why? In all honesty, it’s you. The Bay Area sake market is savvy and well adept at tasting and communicating sake. We are globally respected as a very intelligent and compassionate sake destination. So brewers make an effort to come to SAKE DAY at least once. Ha, and that is one of the problems, as many want to come every year. And we want them to, because they make great sake. But, we also love brewers who are new to the Bay Area to explore and enjoy their sake. And welcome to SAKE DAY’s Director Mei Ho’s job of getting in fresh blood and the sake of some of our most favorite repeat pourers.
Along with John Gauntner, who will be awarded the International Soul of the Year (ISSOTY) Award, and featuring the legendary Zaku Sake Brewery pouring their Zaku Junmai Ginjo as the Welcome Sake, some of the breweries attending include:
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Aizu Otokoyama from Fukushima and NHK fame.
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Bijofu from Kochi Prefecture, maker’s of our favorite “Dreamweaver” JDG.
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Katsuyama from Miyagi Prefecture, maker’s of the legendary Samurai Sake.
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Kuroushi from Wakayama Prefecture and makers of “Black Bull.”
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Fukuchiyo from Saga Prefecture makers of our most favorite Nabeshima brand.
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Senjo Brewery from Niigata Prefecture bringing exclusive Japan-only sake.
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Shirasugi Shuzo from Kyoto makers of “Chimera” and from SIPT Importers.
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Heiwa Shuzo from Wakayama Prefecture featuring KID (SD Favorite).
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Otokoyama from Hokkaido Prefecture, makers of Man’s Mountain historical brews.
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Zaku featuring Mr. and Mrs. Shimizu, owners of the super popular Mie Brewery
And as Nick Matsumoto aka Sake Man Red said in the article above, don’t forget to visit his table at SAKE DAY 2026:
“There are so many stories to tell, and the best way to hear them is by talking with the brewery itself. You're in luck: Nate Shuzoten is coming to Sake Day 2026! Please come say hello and taste Kuroushi for yourself. Who's bringing the chocolate cake?"