Tsunan Sake Brewery Presents on “Smart Brewing” at the Red Brick Sake Brewery Plant
Tsunan Sake Brewery Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Tsunan Town, Nakauonuma District, Niigata Prefecture; CEO: Kengo Suzuki; hereinafter “Tsunan Sake Brewery”) announced that its CEO, Kengo Suzuki, delivered a lecture on “Smart Brewing through Generative AI and Brewing Microbial Research” at the 115th Sake Brewing Technology Seminar. The event was held on September 18–19, 2025, at the Red Brick Sake Brewery Plant (Former Brewing Test Station First Plant, a National Important Cultural Property) and broadcast live online, organized by the Brewing Society of Japan.
The Future Aimed for by “Smart Brewing”
In his lecture, Suzuki introduced the latest examples of “Smart Brewing,” a concept that integrates generative AI with brewing microbial research and utilizes fermentation data and flavor analysis to optimize brewing conditions—ultimately aiming to establish a terroir-driven sake brand from Tsunan.
The initiatives presented included:
– AI-based simulations for temperature control, fermentation speed, and quality optimization
– Circular economy approaches utilizing sake lees and regional resources
– Exploring future possibilities for fermentation in outer space
These efforts illustrate Tsunan Sake Brewery’s commitment to sustainable and advanced sake brewing for the future.
Tasting and High Praise for “GO GRANDCLASS Uonuma Koshihikari Edition”
During the networking session on the first day, participants were treated to “GO GRANDCLASS Uonuma Koshihikari Edition”, Tsunan Sake Brewery’s premium sake crafted exclusively with 100% Uonuma Koshihikari rice.
Key features include:
– Limited brewing during the heavy snow season
– Slow, low-temperature fermentation for refined quality
– A rich umami profile with elegant aromas
This sake has won multiple awards in domestic and international competitions and is actively expanding into global markets.
https://koshihikari.tsunan-sake.com/en/
Comment from Kengo Suzuki, CEO of Tsunan Sake Brewery
“By combining the unique natural conditions of snowy Tsunan with cutting-edge generative AI technologies, we aim to develop new sake brewing techniques that enhance quality and enable sustainable brewing practices. We plan to further strengthen collaboration with regional resources and accelerate our expansion both domestically and internationally.”
About the 115th Sake Brewing Technology Seminar
Organizer: Brewing Society of Japan
Date: September 18–19, 2025
Venue: Red Brick Sake Brewery Plant (Former Brewing Test Station First Plant, National Important Cultural Property) + Online Streaming
Themes: “Data-Driven Sake Brewing” & “Diverse Sake Brewing in the Reiwa Era”
About the Red Brick Sake Brewery Plant
Established in May 1904 as the Sake Brewing Test Plant of the Ministry of Finance Brewing Laboratory, the facility was designed by Yorinaka Tsumaki, one of the three great architects of the Meiji era. Modeled after German beer factories, it represents a rare example of Meiji-era brick architecture and industrial heritage.
Having contributed significantly to the modernization of Japan’s sake brewing and the development of the alcoholic beverage industry, it was designated a National Important Cultural Property in December 2014 and has since been managed by the Brewing Society of Japan under the Agency for Cultural Affairs.
About Tsunan Sake Brewery
Tsunan Sake Brewery Co., Ltd., headquartered in Tsunan Town, Niigata Prefecture, produces premium sake using natural spring water from the 2,000-meter-class mountains surrounding the region. Leveraging locally grown sake rice varieties such as Gohyakumangoku and Uonuma Koshihikari, the brewery combines traditional methods with innovative approaches. In 2025, Tsunan Sake Brewery won the Governor of Niigata Prefecture Award (1st Place) at the Echigo-Style Sake Brewing Technology Championship, recognizing its excellence in brewing techniques.
