Sake Matsuri 2024 is back, and it’s happening from 15 to 17 November at the iconic F1 Pit Building in Singapore. This year’s edition promises the largest selection yet, with over 300 varieties of sake and Japanese spirits from nearly 100 breweries that you can try before you buy.
Sake Matsuri in a nutshell
Date: 15-17 Nov 2024
Location: F1 Pit Building
What to expect: Sake, food and a great time
Two types of ticket to choose from:
General Ticket
– 3-hour free-flow sake sampling
– Limited edition Sake Matsuri Riedel glassware
VIP Pass (Limited availability per day)
– All-day access to both sessions on 16 or 17 Nov
– Limited edition Sake Matsuri Ochoko Sake Cup by Mud Rock Ceramics (valued at $28)
– Masterclasses from 2pm to 4pm (in-between free-flow sessions)
– Dining & sake vouchers worth $20 (valid for purchase during festival)
Sessions are priced at $55 per person or $250 for a bundle of five, but early bird tickets at $45 are selling fast!
Singapore’s homegrown sake labels take center stage
Sake Matsuri 2024 will feature a selection of homegrown “Singapore” sake labels debuting on the international stage.
At this year’s Sake Matsuri, newly crowned Sake Samurai Adrian Goh will unveil his latest masterpiece, crafted with personal passion and precision in Niigata, Japan. His creation, TheArtOfSake Junmai Daiginjo Kimoto Henpei EP 1 – The Beginning, is brewed in the Kimoto-style and using the meticulous henpei flat rice polishing method, this sake achieves a refinement equivalent to a 30% rice polishing ratio. On the palate, it’s clean, with delicate aromas of lychee with musky undertones of peaches and nectarines, offering a rich, fruity experience that lingers.
Orchid Craftworks, Singapore’s pioneering sake brewery redefines traditional sake-making with a local twist. Among their innovative creations is a one-of-a-kind cream sake infused with the tropical richness of Mao Shan Wang durian and cempedak, delivering a silky, indulgent experience.
But for those seeking a more classic expression, Orchid Craftworks offers the uTama THE 2ND Junmai Shiboritate Nama, an unpasteurised sake with a surprising twist. Crafted with a 70% rice polishing ratio—often associated with a heavier, more rice-forward flavour—this clear Junmai sake surprises with delicate notes of strawberry, melon, and mint, more reminiscent of a refined Daiginjo. Its bright, aromatic profile and crisp finish make it a standout, offering a refreshing take on Singapore’s growing sake scene.
“After four years of working to elevate sake appreciation, we are thrilled to showcase these new homegrown sakes at our 9th edition,” Co-founder Kevin Ngan shared.
Exclusive sakes to look out for
Keep an eye out for sakes like the Miyanomatsu Misty Origarami Nama, aged for 18 months in ice-cold temperatures, and the Tatenokawa Soube Wase, brewed from an ancient rice variety revived after 150 years.
Singapore-based YouTuber Ghib Ojisan is bringing his unique flair to Sake Matsuri with an exclusive range of sake, curated to mirror Ghib’s love for Singapore with his Japanese heritage. Among the highlights is the debut of the Dainagawa Junmai Daiginjo Muroka Genshu, a Junmai Daiginjo brewed with Yamadanishiki – the king of sake rice. It is unfiltered and only pasteurised once, so it retains the clear and refreshing taste characteristic of the rice type, while exuding a fruity ginjo aroma lent by the brewery’s yeast.
The bottle features the king of a playful illustration of a durian, Singapore’s beloved king of fruits—but we promise there are no durians (or even its notes) in there.
Masterclasses with sake experts
Whether you’re new to sake or a seasoned connoisseur, the masterclasses at Sake Matsuri are not to be missed. Singapore’s first Sake Samurai, Adrian Goh, will lead an exclusive session on sake aromas, while Reuben Oh, founder of Orchid Craftworks, will teach you the art of blending your own sake. You’ll also have the chance to sample premium Heavensake with Master Sake Sommelier Joshua Kalinan.
Food & The Otsumami Experience
No sake festival is complete without food! Satisfy your cravings with Japanese snacks from IZAKAYA YOPPI, fresh seafood from The Oyster Cart and mouthwatering dry-aged beef burgers from Ye Olde Cow. For a more authentic Japanese experience, explore The Otsumami Experience, where you can sample over 50 traditional Japanese snacks paired perfectly with sake.
Mark your calendars and get your tickets here.
