Sake Education – It’s Time To Up Your Sake Game with Michael Tremblay’s Sake Scholar Course
Every year for SAKE DAY “Week” we invite and promote sake education programs to help those who want to take their sake passion further. This year we welcome back Canada’s national sake treasure in the form of the very sake passionate Michael Tremblay, who not only co-wrote a James Beard award winning book on sake (which we sell at the store), but crafted one of the coolest sake educational programs in the world. I like to say it’s a deep dive into the terroir-side of sake, and so much more. Michael is a true friend and we are very proud of his ferocity for trying to understand as much as he humanly can about sake, and share that with his classes. Our True Sake team constantly references his amazing Sake Scholar Course textbook in our store, because it’s an invaluable educational resource that explains rice, water, yeast, and mold in the best delivery system possible. And it’s cool, just like Michael (and our very own KJ who will be co-educating with him.)
Herewith is Michael talking about his course offerings during SAKE DAY 2025 “Week”
The World’s Only Sake Regionality Course is Coming Back to San Francisco! It’s been two years since the Sake Scholar Course was held in San Francisco, and it’s great to be coming back! The course has been timed so that students can be among the myriad of sake fans that celebrate SAKE DAY SF’s 20th Year Anniversary (wowza, that’s a long time)!! In addition, I am so excited to be co-teaching this edition of the Sake Scholar Course with sake rock star and educator Kerry Jo Rizzo. KJ is no stranger to sake, having been to Japan numerous times, working at True Sake, and teaching many sake courses. We will both be regaling students with stories of our travels in Japan, sipping many (many!) wonderful sakes and exploring their unique profile while virtually travelling from Hokkaido in the north to the southern islands of Kyushu and beyond over three packed days.
What is the Sake Scholar Course?
The Sake Scholar Course is basically a course on sake regionality. It explores sake through the cultural, culinary, geographical and historical elements that have shaped each region of Japan, and consequently the locality of ingredients and styles. In addition, it tells the unique stories of many of Japan’s sake breweries and personalities that have helped to shape the industry.
The course starts with a Foundation section where we discuss the main elements of sake regionality. Then, we tackle all 47 prefectures through the lens of sake and honkaku shochu. We also sample a myriad of sakes that correspond to the teaching material. And (most importantly), the course brings together many awesome, like-minded sake lovers.
To cap it off (the icing on the sake cake!), students can opt to purchase a ticket for Sake Day SF at 20% off. SAKE DAY is held the day after the Sake Scholar Course finishes and it will be cool to talk to the many brewers and sake enthusiasts that are on hand to celebrate sake. KJ and I can’t wait to explore the sake world with you!
Date: September 24 - 26
Venue: Japanese Cultural and Community Center of Northern California (JCCCNC) in San Francisco’s famous Japantown.
For more information on the Sake Scholar Course, visit sakescholar.com.