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The PIL, Inc. Blog
Your source for sake and beer insights, industry news, and expert tips. Explore unique brewing traditions, food pairings, and how Pacific International Liquor connects you to the world of premium Japanese beverages.
IWC Sake Brewery of The Year, Hatsumago.
Tohoku Meijo as known as brewery of Hatsumago Junmai and Hatsumago Shozui was selected Sake Brewery of The Year for International Wine Challenge 2018.
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IWC Champion sake, Okunomatsu Ginjo
It’s our honor to announce that Okunomatsu Ginjo has been selected as a champion sake (from 1639 sake brands) for International Wine Challenge 2018.
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Sake sampling at Whole Foods Market Arroyo.
TGIF! We will be sampling our sake at Whole Foods Market this afternoon. Jan 19th 2018 starts 3:30pm. Whole Foods Market Arroyo location. 465 South Arroyo Parkway Pasadena, CA 91105 Stop by sake section and try...Kurosawa Junmai Kimoto, Katana Junmai Ginjo, Mizubasho Ginjo. Our sake specialist will be serving you.
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Food Pairing: KUROSAWA Premium Daiginjo
Originally crafted to commemorate the brewery’s 10th Anniversary, Kurosawa Daiginjo Premium Reserve is smooth and delicate with aromas of fresh warm rice pudding, creamy cashew nougat, and coconut-raisin cake and a silky fruity-yet-dry medium-to-full body with a vanilla taffy, spiced pear and melon accented finish. Best paired with: Cheese or…
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Food Pairing: KUROSAWA Nigori (Unfiltered)
“Cloudy” sake with a creamy umami body. Fruity flavors & aromas of coconut, mango and pineapple with a hint of cereal. An excellent pairing with: Hawaiian BBQ; Spicy Foods such as Mexican Mole, Thai Spicy “Drunken” Noodles and Indian Curry; or light desserts such as Vanilla Ice Cream.
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Food Pairing: KUROSAWA Junmai Kimoto
A well-rounded sake with aromas of dried pear, spicy custard and dusty radish. Rich in mineral flavors with a soft, creamy dry-yet-fruity medium body and a resonant, lightly peppery jicama accented finish. Pairs perfectly with: Boiled Pork; Smoked Salmon; Cheese-based Dishes; Oden; Tripe Stew, Karaage/Fried chicken; Tempura; Yakitori, Sushi; and…
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What is the shelf life of sake?
What is the shelf life of sake? In general, an unopened bottle of sake is good up to 18 months when kept in a cool dark place, preferably refrigerated. Once opened, unused portions should be stored under refrigeration and finished within 3 weeks. However, the flavors will soften considerably.
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Should sake be served hot or chilled?
Should sake be served hot or chilled? Do you heat up sake when its Bad Quality? Usually a smooth, clean, fragrant , or floral sake should be served cold. Warming may erase any subtle aromas and complexities. However, warming up sake is not done to mask its impurity. Some sake…
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What is Kimoto?
KIMOTO is the older “traditional” brewing method, where nature is left to take its course. Brewers wait patiently as naturally occurring Lactobacillus (lactic acid bacteria) grows within the shubo to fight off unwanted bacteria. The rice and koji for the shubo are mixed and crushed into a puree in order…
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Kurosawa Sake 20th Anniversary
Encountering the hidden sake by a traveler from America The story of Kurosawa sake started in 1996 with Jun Tanaka- a young and ambitious Japanese sake importer in the US. As someone who possessed an in-depth knowledge of sake and had visited numerous Japanese restaurants in entire US, Jun’s desire…
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