The Japanese Sake Bible

The Japanese Sake Bible is the ultimate book about Japan's national drink--from its history, culture and production methods to how to choose the best sake and recommended food pairings.

Author Brian Ashcraft--the author of the popular guide Japanese Whisky--has put together lively commentaries based on dozens of interviews with master brewers and sake experts across Japan. His fascinating stories are accompanied by over 300 full-color photographs, maps and drawings.

A unique feature of this book is that it includes reviews, tasting notes, scores and a buying guide for over 100 of the leading sake brands, written by respected Japanese sake expert Takashi Eguchi. These include all the sakes most commonly found outside Japan. Each sake has a photo of the label, tasting notes, a score and recommended food pairings. Information on the leading brewers is provided, and the sakes are grouped by flavor profile.

Japanese sake is brewed worldwide today and is winning over many converts. A foreword by sake connoisseur and world-renowned DJ Richie Hawtin addresses the spread in global popularity and the shared mission of making this specialty beverage as accessible as possible. With the help of this book you'll soon become an expert in selecting, serving and enjoying Japan's favorite drink.
"...a deep dive into the nation's ubiquitous drink...While there are extensive chapters on tasting notes, food pairings and in-depth explorations of the roles played by rice, water and soil, the heart of the narrative is the human side of sake production." --The Japan Times
"[Ashcraft] has put together lively commentaries based on dozens of interviews with master brewers and sake experts across Japan. Another key feature: reviews and tasting notes for more than 100 leading sake brands by respected Japanese sake expert Takashi Eguchi. The book is rounded out by more than 300 full-color illustrations, photos and maps." --Liquor.com
"Be warned: If you start reading Brian Ashcraft's fascinating The Japanese Sake Bible there's a good chance you'll get sucked in and find yourself lost in its pages for hours." --Noah Rothbaum, author of The Art of American Whiskey and editor of The Daily Beast's Half Full section
"Brian Ashcraft has written the thorough, authoritative, yet highly accessible book about sake the English-speaking world has been waiting for." --Michael Booth, author of Super Sushi Ramen Express
"Brian Ashcraft uses unreasonably deep research to demystify and delight. The tasting notes from collaborator Takashi Eguchi are particularly practical." --Nathan Thornburgh, co-founder Roads and Kingdoms and host of The Trip podcast
"The book brilliantly weaves an essential human element into the rich and multi-faceted story of sake, and in doing so, manages to introduce fascinating stories and anecdotes that are sure to become integral to the future discourse on a beverage poised to change how the world drinks." --Justin Potts, Sake on Air podcast co-host and producer
"This book is jam-packed with information and knowledge about the drink's past and present. Without a doubt, it's the result of in-depth research, interviews, and sake tastings." --Shuso Imada, Japan Sake and Shochu Makers Association
"Whether you're an enthusiast, an educator, a sommelier, a chef, or simply enjoy the unique warm feeling that sake delivers, you now have the best resource to take your next steps deeper into the intoxicating world of Japanese sake." --Richie Hawtin, musician, DJ, Sake Samurai and creator of Sake 36 and ENTER.Sake