Huchu Homare Brewery

Huchu Homare Brewery, a distinguished sake producer, was established in 1854 in Ishioka City, Ibaraki Prefecture, Japan, near the Pacific coast. The brewery is currently managed by Takaaki "Taka" Yamauchi, representing the seventh generation of the founding family. Their initial brand was named Taiheikai, meaning "Pacific Ocean."

A pivotal moment in the brewery's history occurred in the early 1990s when Takaaki Yamauchi successfully revived the Watari Bune sake rice, which had been considered extinct for seventy years. This ambitious project began in 1988 with just 14 grams of freeze-dried seedlings, cultivated with the assistance of local farmers. By 1992, enough rice was harvested to produce the first batch of sake using this revived varietal. Huchu Homare Brewery is known for its meticulous approach to sake-making, including the use of their medium-soft "Huchu Rokui" spring water and in-house rice milling, which ensures superior quality control over their raw materials.

What makes Huchu Homare distinctive is its profound dedication to traditional sake production and the successful reintroduction of the Watari Bune rice. Many experts consider Watari Bune to be the ancestral strain of Yamada Nishiki, Japan's most renowned sake rice varietal. The cultivation of Watari Bune is particularly challenging due to its tall growth and late harvest, making it susceptible to environmental factors like mold, pests, and typhoons. The brewery operates as a small-batch producer, crafting approximately 12,000 cases (or 500 Koku) of sake annually, reflecting a strong commitment to every stage of the brewing process.

Huchu Homare Brewery's notable achievements include the revival of the Watari Bune sake rice itself, a watershed moment in the sake industry. Their Watari Bune Daiginjo earned a gold medal at the National New Sake Competition in 1996. Other acclaimed expressions include Watari Bune Junmai Ginjo 55 and Taiheikai Tokubetsu Junmai. The Watari Bune Junmai Daiginjo has also received international recognition, including a Bronze medal at the International Wine Challenge in 2020 and Silver medals in both 2015 and 2016.