A Sake Brewery Born from the Spirit of Self-Sufficiency
Nestled in the Nango district of Minamiaizu Town, Fukushima Prefecture, Hanaizumi Shuzo finds its home in one of Japan's snowiest regions, where winter blankets the landscape in up to two meters of powder. In times of yore, when roads and transportation were still in their infancy, snow would seal off the mountain passes, making it difficult for goods, including sake, to reach the village from the outside world.
Faced with this scarcity, a group of determined locals rallied together, driven by the spirit of self-sufficiency, to embark on their own sake-making journey. Thus, Hanaizumi Shuzo was born, a brewery unlike any other, as it is not run by a lineage of hereditary owners. Instead, the sake is crafted by the hands of the local community, using only locally sourced ingredients.
This deep connection to the land and its people is evident in every sip of Hanasen Shuzo's sake. The brewery's philosophy of self-reliance and community spirit shines through in the rich flavors and delicate aromas of their handcrafted creations, a testament to the enduring legacy of those who dared to dream of making their own sake amidst the snow-covered peaks of Minamiaizu.
Embracing Tradition: The Art of Mochigome Yodan Jikomi at Hanasen Shuzo
While most of all sake breweries employ the traditional three-stage "Sandan Jikomi" method, It goes a step further, meticulously adhering to the ancient practice of "Mochigome Yodan Jikomi."
This unique four-stage brewing process involves incorporating steamed glutinous rice, or "mochigome," during the final stage of fermentation. While this labor-intensive method has gradually fallen out of favor in many breweries, they remain steadfast in their belief.
Mochigome Yodan Jikomi imparts a distinctive elegance to their sake, characterized by a harmonious blend of refreshing crispness and mellow umami. The gentle sweetness derived from the glutinous rice complements the sake's natural acidity, creating a well-balanced and harmonious flavor profile.