Exploring Sake Through Craft Beer Lenses
Jason Cooper’s journey into the world of Japanese flavors began during his time in Kyoto, Japan, where he immersed himself in language studies and the local gastronomy. This passion inspired his return to Pennsylvania, where he established Sango Kura in Delaware Water Gap in July 2018. What started as a fascination has now turned into a soulful exploration of sake brewing, with Cooper serving his first sake by November of the same year.
In 2022, Cooper expanded his passion for brewing by introducing Rewind Brewing, a venture co-developed with his wife, Melissa Hirschhorn. At Sango Kura, patrons can enjoy a Junmai Ginjo sake dry-hopped with Galaxy and Mosaic hops, offering beer aficionados a taste profile reminiscent of a floral IPA. With a strong emphasis on culinary pairings, Sango Kura provides hand-crafted izakaya pub favorites, ensuring visitors have an authentically immersive experience.
The Significance of Locale in Brewing
Nestled in the scenic Delaware Water Gap, Sango Kura benefits from an optimal setting that complements the delicate nature of sake production, much like quality brewing water is critical to exceptional beer. As Cooper notes, the purity and characteristics of water play a vital role in crafting light and nuanced sake flavors, mirroring the traditions found in Japanese sake breweries.
One of the distinguished techniques at Sango Kura involves producing their own koji—a pivotal component in sake brewing. The process is thoroughly hands-on, involving soaking and steaming rice before moving it into a sterile room heated to precise temperatures over several days. Cooper’s dedication is evident as he tends to the fermentation closely, embodying the artistry of brewing both sake and beer.
Craft Beer Meets Craft Sake
Across the Atlantic, London’s Kanpai brewery provides another innovative fusion of craft beer and sake. Like Sango Kura, Kanpai has tapped into the burgeoning interest in alternative brews, offering a sake taproom experience that engages those well-versed in craft beer. Their strategic location along the Bermondsey Beer Mile makes Kanpai a magnet for curious craft drinkers seeking new tastes.
Kanpai delights beer lovers with intriguing collaborations, including their partnership with By The Horns brewery to create Shiro, a refreshing Japanese white ale. This fusion of sake and beer cultures offers a broad spectrum of flavors, from nama sake featured prominently in their taproom to seasonal and uniquely hopped varieties. Kanpai’s quality selections invite adventurous palates, bridging divides between casual and discerning drinkers alike.
California’s Blend of Craft Styles
In Covina, California, Nova Brewing exemplifies the creative merging of sake and beer culture. Born from a former craft beer space, Nova’s Gravity sake celebrates local Calrose rice while showcasing various brewing techniques. Their Ginjo 7 project is a testament to this ethos, yielding a unique beer brewed with sake yeast resulting in complex, fruity notes reminiscent of Belgian styles.
Nova Brewing’s Ginjo 7 serves as an introduction to sake for craft beer enthusiasts who might find parallels in flavor profiles and brewing intricacies. With a focus on craft beer drinkers, the brewery easily transitions visitors from beer flights to sake samplings, actively fostering a culture of diverse taste exploration. Much like Sango Kura and Kanpai, Nova reinforces the delightful interaction between craft sake and the evolving preferences of American beer drinkers.
BreweriesNearMe.us is committed to uncovering such fascinating intersections of brewing cultures, making it the go-to resource for those eager to explore the rich tapestry of craft drinks across the United States.
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