Summer Sake – A Whole Host of Summer Brews In All Shapes, Styles, and Sizes

Ryusei Ryofu Junmai Kimoto Nama Summer 2026 "Cool Breeze"

The nose on this seasonally released summer Kimoto is a cool collection of lemon peel, mango, cantaloupe, unripe banana, cotton candy, blueberry syrup, brioche bun, pure ice, candied melon, white grape, and pomelo aromas. Soon to be a fan favorite, the True Sake staff loved the feeling and texture of this traditionally pole-rammed (Kimoto) sake that looks to play with an integrated acidity with a water-like structure. Bright, tingly, crisp, spritzy, silky, snappy, and very refreshing, this sake is a very cool customer. Look for grapefruit, lemon salt, peach, apricot, green apple, cucumber, fresh lemon, honeydew, and melting ice flavors that have a touch of umami and a sea salt finish. Go Kimoto! WORD: Bright WINE: Crisp Reds/Dry Whites BEER: Crisp Ales FOODS: Sushi, sashimi, yakitori, fried chicken and fish, tacos, oysters, grilled shrimp, steak, burgers, and BBQ. (2025)

Kisoji Junmai Ginjo Nama Genshu 2026 "Summer"

The nose on this very fresh unpasteurized “Nama” seasonally released summer brew is a cool collection of Muscat, lime, grapefruit, strawberry yogurt, lychee, powdered sugar, violet, asian pear, and Rice Krispy aromas. Well, they did it again! Using their famous combo of Nagano grown Miyamanishiki brewing rice milled to 60%, and Association #9 yeast, the maestros at Yukawa Shuzoten have plumped up their acidity and body to create their version of a flavorful, smooth, and refreshing summer sake. Fresh, lively, expansive, prickly, tingly, spritzy, and with a delicate fizzy feel, this brew has pleasant layers of fruity sweetness and an off-dry personality. Look for lime, berries, mangosteen, cotton candy, white chocolate, sugar cane, and Muscat flavors that fill a white wine glass. Head to the snowy mountains this summer! WORD: Fresh WINE: Plump Reds/Acidic WhitesBEER: Crisp Ales FOODS: Sushi, sashimi, green olives, summer vegetables, BBQ, avocado salad, green curry, caprese salad, chorizo, Korean fried chicken, hot and sour noodles, and tomato soup. (2026)

Ohyama Tokubetsu Junmai Nama 2026 "Summer"

The nose on this seasonally released summer “Nama” (unpasteurized) brew is a beautiful collection of strawberry, grape, mango, papaya, apple, and lychee aromas. With a classic Ohyama mouthfeel that is round with pleasant depth, this sake drinks thick, juicy, soft, and has a stunning smoothness with an integrated fruity and umami delivery. Look for pear tart, apple pie, cooked green fig, papaya, black grape, chocolate shavings, and guava flavors that intertwine with a ricey and umami flow. Using local Yamagata Dewanosato rice and some Yamagata NF-KA yeast, this seasonal brew is like vacationing in Yamagata for the summer. WORD: Round WINE: Soft Reds/Plump WhitesBEER: Creamy Ales FOODS: Sushi, sashimi, oysters, yakitori, tempura, fried chicken, grilled meats and fish, simmered pork, and hamburgers. (2026)

Koshinohomare Junmai Muroka Nama Genshu 2026 "90 Blue"

The nose on this extremely “talented” summer-released seasonal “Unpasteurized” (Nama) sake is a killer collection of peach rings, cheesecake, Greek honey yogurt, tangerine, cocoa butter, peach pie, and strawberry aromas. Why is this sake “talented”? It’s made with a very special sake brewing rice from Niigata that is only milled to 90%! No brewers do that really! In fact it’s so hard to make tasty sake with minimally polished rice that brewers don’t even try. Not Koshinohomare, they love it and they excel at this product! We love it! Zesty, spritzy, bright, crisp, and tingly, it drinks fresh with an elevated acidity to offset the sweetness and “brings out the full potential of the raw rice.” Look for a gentle fruity and rice sweetness including finger lime, white peach, egg custard, Danish, kefir, lemon cheesecake, powdered sugar, blueberry, and 7-11 Blue Raspberry flavors that ping-pong around in a white wine glass. Refreshing and bombastic! WORD: Lively WINE: Frisky Reds/Crisp Whites BEER: Zesty Ales FOODS: Sushi, sashimi, sweet and sour pork, mapo tofu, chop suey, sukiyaki, fried fish, steak, hamburger, fried chicken, international spice, tacos, and beach BBQ. (2026)

Narutotai Summer Junmai Ginjo Nigori Nama "Silky Wave"

The nose on this special seasonally released unpasteurized brew is a cool collection of cream, yogurt, lime, ginger, cinnamon, marshmallow, candied lime, snowmelt, and breakfast cereal aromas. Everybody knows the Red Snapper from Narutotai, and here is their Pink Snapper for the summer! It’s a nigori, but it doesn’t really drink that way, as it is more frisky, fresh, and spritzy in nature. Bright, lively, tingly, and with a frothy mousse-like texture, this brew is a walk on the "fresh from the tank" type of summer sake. It’s lively and jumps in a white wine glass. Look for umami hints that dance with brie rind, beer malt, lemon zest, Asian pear, marshmallow fluff, coconut water, snickerdoodle, and kombu flavors. A unique, flavorful, and fun take on summer sake that is a food pairing monster! WORD: Fresh WINE: Zesty Reds/Creamy Whites BEER: Zesty Ales FOODS: Sushi, sashimi, salmon carpaccio, Parmesan cheese, risotto, roast beef, wild vegetable tempura, squid, chopped chicken, Caesar salad, fig salads, and cheese plates. (2026)