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Zairai Hanamoto
Zairai Hanamoto

Zairai Hanamoto

Fresh and rich in umami
€49,00
€98,00/l
Tax included. Shipping calculated at checkout.

At haccoba, sake is usually crafted by fermenting a variety of ingredients together with rice, pushing the boundaries of traditional brewing. But there’s also a deeper goal: to create a “local sake” that expresses the flavors, stories, and lifestyles of the farmers and communities it comes from.

With that vision in mind, haccoba launched a new series in the 2022 brewing year, rooted in the use of Japanese native hops (Tanghua Cao) in the hanamoto (the traditional sake starter that forms the foundation of haccoba’s brewing philosophy).


For this latest edition, the main ingredient is naturally cultivated Koshihikari rice grown by Aiai Agri Ota in Haramachi Ward, Minami-Soma City. haccoba has been experimenting with this rice for several years, and it’s been a key part of their brewing since 2022. By minimizing the polishing process, the rice’s naturally rich umami unique to organic cultivation that shines through in every sip.

The sake features juicy umami from yellow koji, bright acidity from white koji, and soft herbal notes from Tanghua Cao. This year’s brew has a mild, fresh aroma reminiscent of Japanese pears, with a gentle balance of umami and acidity that spreads smoothly across the palate. Compared to the previous year, it finishes slightly drier and crisper.

It’s a sake that’s equally enjoyable chilled or gently warmed—perfect for everyday meals.

Handling Precautions
・Please refrigerate immediately upon arrival.
・If stored for a long period of time, the yeast activity may cause the contents to overflow. Please chill well and open slowly to release the gas inside.
• Sediment (alcohol components) may settle at the bottom of the bottle. Gently mix the contents before pouring to enhance the flavour.

Prefecture: Fukushima

Type: Craft

Rice variety: Koshihikari rice and tangled grass

Alcohol content: 13%

Polishing ratio: 90%

Pairs well with

FAQ

It depends on the sake variety. Most sake is best consumed within one to two weeks if kept in the fridge. After that, delicate varieties such as junmai ginjō and junmai daiginjō quickly lose their fruity, floral aromas. Sparkling sake is best enjoyed within one to three days after opening, as it loses carbonation quickly.

Yes. Sake should always be stored in the fridge at a temperature below 8°C. Refrigeration is especially important for nama-zake and to preserve the delicate freshness of ginjō sake. Warm temperatures accelerate oxidation and spoilage.

Enjoy it while it’s fresh! Most sake is best consumed within about a year of leaving the brewery. Nama-zake, in particular, tends to lose its vibrant character after just a few months. Ginjō styles generally have a shorter shelf life than honjōzō and junmai varieties, and are best enjoyed within around ten months.

Sake generally has a higher alcohol content than beer or wine, ranging from 12% up to 18% ABV. The average is around 14.5%.

Yes. Our strict cold-chain import process is essential. All sake is shipped directly from breweries in Japan under strict quality control. It travels in refrigerated containers from Yokohama to Hamburg and is carefully handled until it reaches Berlin, where it is stored in our temperature-controlled cellar.

Yes. At Our Sake Club, we offer guided sake tastings to explore the wide variety of aromas, flavors, and styles. During opening hours, you can enjoy our classic sake flight — a tasting of three different sakes. We also offer seasonal and mainstay selections by the glass. If you fall in love with a particular sake (as often happens!), you can open a bottle to enjoy on-site or take it home.

Yes. We collaborate with local Kreuzberg restaurants Zum Heiligen Teufel and Merold to offer a curated selection of small bites designed to pair with our sake and showcase its versatility.

Yes. For private event inquiries, please contact us at info@oursake.club .