Abe Junmai

The nose on this modern brew from Niigata Prefecture is a wonderful collection of lemon lime, grapefruit, peach, cereal milk, caramelized sugar, pear, jasmine, and berry aromas. In a word, this is a trendy brewery as they make sake in a new frisky, fresh, and fun way that is sort of un-Niigata-like. Spritzy, bright, crisp, tingly, and vibrant, with an elevated acidity play, this brew mesmerizes because it also drinks light, water-like, and with a quick finish. If you like new school effervescent brews, give this Abe a try. Look for lemon lime, rock sugar, peach, green apple, lemon candy, ginger, pineapple, raspberry, and other "palate cleansing" flavors that drink so fresh and bright. WORD: New School WINE: Zesty Reds/Citric Whites BEER: Crisp Ales FOODS: Oysters, ponzu dishes, pickled veggies, fried chicken, cheese and fruit plates.