Ine to Agave 'Hanakaze Wind Flower'

The name "Hana Kaze" carries layered meanings. "Hana" (flower) comes from the Japanese name for hops. In Akita, an ancient doburoku (unfiltered, rustic sake) recipe made with Japanese wild hops as a stablizer has long been called "Hanamoto" (flower starter mash). "Kaze" (wind) represents the strong winds of Oga, which arethe core concept of the Craft Sake series. To date, Ine to Agave has experimented with nearly twenty secondary ingredients, with hops standing out as particularly well-suited to rice-based alcohol, expanding food-pairing possibilities. The addition of hops brings aromatic notes of lychee, muscat grapes, and citrus, delivering a bright, floral bouquet. On the palate, Wind Flower strikes a harmonious balance between sweet richness and fresh green bitterness.

Ingredients: Rice, Yeast, Koji, Hops; 90% rice polishing ratio (organically + locally grown rice without fertilizers or pesticides) ABV 14%

Founded in 2021 in Oga City, Akita, Ine to Agave is one of the pioneering producers of Japan's emerging craft sake movement. Led by founder and brewer Shuhei Okazumi, the brewery combines traditional sake-making techniques with innovative ingredients and naturally grown, minimally polished rice. Beyond brewing, Ine to Agave is deeply committed to revitalizing the local community, transforming vacant spaces in Oga into restaurants, shops, lodging, and cultural destinations.

A note from the brewery:

"If an ingredient tastes better when turned into alcohol on its own, then it's better not to interfere. The real appeal of Craft Sake lies in moments when adding a secondary ingredient allows you to create something that goes beyond what either component could achieve alone."