Sake Education – Fifth Taste Sake School 2026 Class Schedule
Fifth Taste Sake School, based in San Francisco, is one of the leaders in sake education nationwide. They offer classes with the Sake Sommelier Association as well as the Wine & Spirit Education Trust. Your instructors are Jesse Pugach, founder of Fifth Taste and KJ Rizzo, a wine/sake sommelier who also works for True Sake! Jesse & KJ invite you to ignite your interests this season, take a class, and join the amazing sake community that exists here in California.
WSET Level 1 Award in Sake (online)
(1-day class): Sunday, 7/12 or Sunday, 8/9 10am-4:00pm on Zoom - $400 *Enrollment ends 2 weeks prior to class date
WSET Level 2 Award in Sake
(2-day class): Mondays 6/1 & 6/8 10am-4pm Good to Eat in Emeryville, CA - $730 *Enrollment ends May 15th
WSET Level 3 Award in Sake
Spring (4-day class) Mondays 5/4, , 5/11, 5/18, 5/25 (10am-4pm each day) & Exam Tuesday 5/26 (10am-1pm) at Good to Eat in Emeryville, CA - $1100 *Enrollment ends 2 weeks prior to class date
Fall (4-day class) Mondays 10/5, 10/12, 10/19, 10/26 (10am-4pm each day) & Exam Tuesday 10/27 (10am-1pm) at Good to Eat in Emeryville, CA - $1100 *Enrollment ends 2 weeks prior to class date
SSA Introductory Sake Professional Course (online)
(1-day class) Sundays 3/29, 5/17, 8/16, 11/22 (12pm-4pm) - $350 *Enrollment ends 1 week prior to class date
SSA Certified Sake Sommelier Course
(2-day class with pre-recorded Zoom session) Mondays 4/20 & 4/27 10am-4pm Takara Sake USA, Berkeley, CA - $900 *Enrollment ends 4/12
(2-day class with pre-recorded Zoom session) Mondays 11/9 & 11/16 10am-4pm Takara Sake USA, Berkeley, CA - $900 *Enrollment ends 11/1
Learn more about the classes here!
How do WSET and SSA differ? Which is better for you?
Both programs offer a strong overview of sake basics: sake making, production methods, sake styles/profiles, etc. Each course also has its own unique tasting method and will make you a much better sake taster. The way they differ: SSA is more service-oriented: focusing on history, culture, serving etiquette and food pairing. If your goal is to become more skilled at understanding, presenting and serving sake, SSA is the place to start. WSET focuses more on brewing methods, production choices, regionality, and diverse styles in greater detail. If you are looking for a deeper dive into the elements of sake making, how production choices affect the finished product, the sake industry as a whole, and one of the most challenging advanced sake certifications in the world, WSET may be right for you.