Yoshioka Sake Brewery
A small brewery that is loved by locals and boasts a traditional sake brewing that uses a wooden tank for pressing.
Founded in 1789, Yoshioka Sake Brewery has a long history and is currently headed by master brewery and 8th generation, Naoaki Yoshioka. It is close to the beaches of neighboring towns Tango and Amino, known for fishing and high quality crabs. As such, all of the sake produced at Yoshioka goes great with seafood. Since the raw water used for brewing is a harder underground water of Mt. Kongodojisan, the sake brewed at Yoshioka typically range from dry to very dry depending on the degree of sake. Though the impression of the sake is dry, they are slightly sweeter than they initially seem. The has been well received at restaurants in Kyoto, and it can be purchased at several places in the city. However, the sales of original sake, older bottles, and sake with an alcohol content of 20 degrees are limited to the brewery. After brewing, the wooden pressing barrel has left over sake lees with plenty of rich flavor, which you are sure to want to pick up as well. Also near the brewery is Mizoya Shrine and stone lantern, which is said to have been dedicated by samurai general Mitsuhide Akechi.
From the head brewer:
"In 2002, I suddenly became ill and decided to work as a brewer. Since I was a kid, the sake brewery had been a playground for me. I've seen the brewery work throughout the years, but it's been a series of hardships. With the guidance of a senior brewer, I managed to grow to the point where I was allowed to brew on my own, and now 18 years have passed. During that time, the Tango Brewers' Guild was disbanded, three nearby breweries closed, and the situation was, at times, dire. Although we are a small sake brewery, we will do our best to maintain the tradition of making sake."
a mini tasting:
Yoshinoyama Upper-selection standard sake
This sake is also offered at local festivals. The hardness of the prepared water results in an excellent sake that is dry with a Sake Meter Value of +3.5, but the texture is smooth.
1,850 yen (1800 ml tax included)
Yoshinoyama Special Junmai Sake
There are quite a lot of fans of old sake that has been moderately aged and matured to give it a little more character and body. Recommended at room temperature or slightly warmer.
2,363 yen (1800 ml tax included)
Yoshinoyama Daiginjo
This sake uses Kyoto cultivated "Iwai" and "Yamada Nishiki" rice for production. When chilled, the clean and dry taste is further enhanced.
4,260 yen (1800 ml tax included)