Quick Answer: Here in Colorado, we're often asked "what exactly is sake?" Simply put, sake is a traditional Japanese drink made from fermented rice. Think of it as something between wine and beer - though it drinks like wine, it's brewed more like beer. What makes it special is its unique brewing process that turns rice starch into sugar and alcohol at the same time, giving you a clean, smooth drink that's usually around 15-17% alcohol. Plus, since it's just rice, water, and koji, it's naturally gluten-free and doesn't have any of those tannins that can give you a wine headache.
Understanding Sake Basics
How Sake is Made
Types of Sake
Sake Grades and Classifications
How to Drink Sake
Sake vs Other Alcoholic Beverages
Frequently Asked Questions
Understanding Sake Basics
Sake, often called Japanese rice wine, is actually closer to beer in its brewing process. As Colorado's first sake brewery, we're often asked to explain this fascinating beverage that's been part of Japanese culture for over 1,000 years. At its core, sake is an alcoholic beverage made from four simple ingredients: rice, water, koji (a special type of mold), and yeast.
What makes sake unique is its versatility and complexity. Unlike wine, which typically contains 11-14% alcohol by volume (ABV), premium sake usually ranges from 15-17% ABV. But don't let that percentage fool you – sake is known for its surprisingly smooth and clean taste profile.
How Sake is Made
The sake brewing process is a beautiful marriage of tradition and precision. Here's how we craft our sake at Colorado Sake Co.:
Rice MillingFirst, we mill the rice to remove the outer layers, exposing the starchy core. The degree of milling helps determine the sake's grade and flavor profile.
Rice Washing and SoakingAfter milling, the rice is carefully washed and soaked to achieve the perfect water content for steaming.
Koji MakingThis is where the magic happens. We cultivate koji mold on a portion of the steamed rice, which converts the rice starches into fermentable sugars.
FermentationUnlike beer or wine, sake undergoes a unique multiple parallel fermentation process where the conversion of starch to sugar happens simultaneously with the conversion of sugar to alcohol.
Types of Sake
At Colorado Sake Co., we specialize in premium sake brewing, focusing exclusively on high-grade junmai ginjo and junmai daiginjo varieties. We're also proud to operate the largest namazake tap system in the United States, with 12 rotating taps offering fresh, unpasteurized sake.
Our Premium Sake Categories
Junmai Ginjo
Premium sake made with rice milled to at least 60% of its original size. This level of milling, combined with our pure ingredients and meticulous brewing process, creates sake with clean, light, and fruity notes. The term "junmai" means pure rice - we never add distilled alcohol, letting the quality of our ingredients and brewing shine through.
Junmai Daiginjo
Our super-premium sake category, using rice milled to 50% or less of its original size. This intensive milling process, along with our careful brewing techniques, produces incredibly complex and delicate flavors. These sakes represent the pinnacle of our craft, offering elegant aromatics and sophisticated taste profiles.
Namazake: Fresh, Unpasteurized Sake
One of our unique specialties is namazake (fresh, unpasteurized sake) served on tap. With 12 rotating taps - the most extensive selection in the country - we offer an unparalleled sake experience. Namazake is known for its vibrant, fresh flavors and lively character, as it hasn't undergone the traditional pasteurization process. This style of sake is rarely found outside Japan, making our tap system a unique destination for sake enthusiasts.
Sake Grades and Classifications
While there are many grades of sake in the traditional Japanese classification system, at Colorado Sake Co., we focus exclusively on premium and super-premium grades. Here's why we've chosen to specialize in these top-tier categories:
Premium Grades: Junmai Ginjo
Rice milled to at least 40% removed (60% remaining)
- Pure rice sake with no added alcohol
- Labor-intensive brewing process
- Sophisticated flavor profiles
- Pronounced aromatics
- Excellent cold or room temperature
Super Premium Grades: Junmai Daiginjo
Rice milled to at least 50% removed (50% or less remaining)
- The highest grade of pure rice sake
- Extremely meticulous brewing process
- Delicate, complex flavors
- Enhanced aromatics
- Best served chilled to preserve subtle notes
Our commitment to producing only these premium grades ensures that every sake we create meets the highest standards of craft brewing. Whether you're new to sake or a seasoned enthusiast, our premium selections offer an authentic and refined taste experience.
How to Drink Sake
At Colorado Sake Co., we're proud to offer the largest namazake tap system in the United States. Our 12 rotating taps showcase the vibrant, fresh characteristics that make unpasteurized sake special. Here's our guide to getting the most from your sake experience:
Temperature Matters
- Chilled (45-50°F): Ideal for our namazake, enhancing its fresh, crisp characteristics
- Room Temperature (68°F): Allows you to experience the full flavor profile
- Avoid serving premium namazake warm, as heat can diminish its subtle complexities
Tasting Room Experience
- Sake flights to compare different styles
- Food pairing recommendations
- The subtle differences between our junmai ginjo and junmai daiginjo offerings
- The unique characteristics of namazake versus traditional pasteurized sake
Sake vs Other Alcoholic Beverages
While sake is often called "rice wine," it stands apart from other alcoholic beverages in fascinating ways. Let's break down what makes sake unique:
Sake vs Wine
No tannins: Unlike wine, sake doesn't contain tannins, resulting in no dry, puckering sensation and no wine headaches for those sensitive to tannins
- Smaller alcohol molecules: Sake's alcohol molecules are smaller than wine's, allowing for smoother absorption by the body
- Lower acidity: Sake typically has a pH of 4.3-4.7, compared to wine's 2.8-3.8, making it gentler on the stomach
- Less sugar: Premium sake contains minimal residual sugar, often less than 2g/L, while many wines contain 8-12g/L
Sake vs Beer
Higher alcohol content: Sake typically contains 15-17% ABV compared to beer's 4-6%
- No hops: Sake doesn't use hops, eliminating bitter notes common in beer
- No carbonation: Natural sake is still, though some modern varieties add bubbles
- Gluten-free: Unlike beer, sake is naturally gluten-free as it's made from rice
- Complex fermentation: Sake undergoes multiple parallel fermentation, while beer follows a linear fermentation process
Sake's Unique Properties
Umami: Sake is one of the few alcoholic beverages that contains significant umami (savory) notes
- Amino acids: Premium sake contains more amino acids than wine or beer, contributing to its complex flavor profile
- Temperature versatility: Sake can be enjoyed at a wider range of temperatures (35°F to 105°F) than most other alcoholic beverages
- Clean finish: Due to its unique brewing process and filtration, sake typically has a cleaner finish than other alcoholic beverages
Health Considerations
Fewer congeners: Sake contains fewer congeners (byproducts of fermentation) than many other alcoholic beverages, which some believe contributes to less severe hangovers
- No sulfites: Unlike wine, sake doesn't require sulfites for preservation
- Naturally occurring vitamins: Sake contains several vitamins and amino acids from the rice and koji fermentation process
Frequently Asked Questions
Is sake stronger than wine?
While sake typically has a slightly higher alcohol content (15-17%) compared to wine (11-14%), it often feels lighter due to its clean taste profile and lack of tannins.
Should sake always be served hot?
No, many premium sakes are best enjoyed chilled or at room temperature. The serving temperature can enhance different aspects of the sake's flavor profile.
How long does sake last after opening?
Once opened, sake is best consumed within 2-3 weeks if stored properly in the refrigerator. For the best experience, we recommend enjoying it within the first week of opening.
Ready to dive into the world of sake? Come visit our taproom to try some fresh sake straight from our 12 rotating taps, join us for Sake 101 to learn more, or check out our online store to grab a bottle for home. Want to make it a full experience? Sign up for one of our popular Sushi 101 classes or swing by for weekly events like trivia nights and dim sum brunch.
Looking to learn more? Check out our other sake guides:
- Is Sake Gluten Free? Here's the Scoop
- Sake vs Saki Explained
- Understanding Sake Alcohol Content
- Sake Cocktails Guide
