Mifuku Brewery: a bridge between generations in the “sake kingdom” of Japan

Mifuku Brewery: a bridge between generations in the “sake kingdom” of Japan

Nestled in the charming city of Minakuchicho, in Shiga Prefecture, Mifuku Brewery has been crafting exceptional sake since 1917, harnessing the region’s renowned excellent water.

Describing Mifuku in a few words, I would say that this brewery is a “bridge between generations”. The reason is simple. By seamlessly blending traditional methods with modern brewing techniques, Mifuku is able to create flavours that resonate will all ages, connecting different generations of sake lovers through its deliciously soft drinks.

In recent years, Mifuku’s dedication to quality and taste has gained national acclaim, making it a beloved choice among many. Notably, their Sanrensei Junmai (Black) Ginfubuki has received a platinum medal and; their Junmai Ginjo (White) Yamadanishiki a gold medal!

The location:

Minakuchi, the hometown of Mifuku, is located in the centre of Koka city, better known to the world for being the birthplace of ninjas (alongside the city of Iga). Koka hosts a unique event that allows the visitors to explore the mysterious life of a ninja, complete with trick mansions and authentic training grounds- an unmissable experience for anyone who steps foot into the city!

The walk towards Mifuku Brewery is a journey through time. This path follows the ancient Tokaido road, that used to connect Kyoto and Tokyo, serving as a vital link between the two hearts of Japan, connecting the religious, political and economic centres. The road is still a major attraction for visitors that are looking to immerse themselves both in modern and ancient Japan, exploring enchanting post towns to discover their fascinating history. Minakuchi is a highlight along this path, offering a glimpse into Japan’s fascinating legacy. The traditional buildings along the way to the brewery are a sight you won’t want to miss!

The city, like all ancient post towns, is located within beautiful landscapes and is blessed with excellent spring water, that makes them ideal for the production of exquisite rice, and thus the making of high quality and delicious sakes. This water is the secret behind the extraordinary sake produced in this enchanting corner of Japan.

The name of the city itself, is a testament to the quality of the water that flows here. Literally translated, Minakuchi means water source. Knowing this, it comes as no surprise that 11 out of the 33 breweries that operate in the Shiga Prefecture are located in the area that surrounds Minakuchi and, 5 in the heart of this beautiful city!

The sake:

Mi-Fu-Ku’s sake-making is perfectly described in the name of the brewery.

Mi (美, “deliciousness”) embodies the pursuit of lusciousness through a meticulous selection of ingredients, that gives birth to the brewery’s delicate yet playful flavours. This respect for the ingredients, that translates into the desire to maintain their natural flavours is demonstrated throughout the sake-making process, where each product is treated with extreme care. This is what allows the brewery to create flavours that can win the hearts of different ages from around the world.

The respect for ingredients is demonstrate from the very first stage of the sake-making process: water, which is treated to enhance its natural notes and textures to produce superb sakes. Instead of using water directly as many breweries do, at Mifuku the exceptional water of Minakuchi undergoes a two-step filtering process to enhance its softness and natural flavour. 

Fu (富, “richness”) represents the carefully selected and excellent rice, a cornerstone of Mifuku’s distinctive flavours. Rice plays a crucial role, as it allows the brewery to tell a story, one that focuses on the importance of bridging the different generations around sake. This is why here sakes are made with different rice types to create exciting flavours and series tailored to the taste of different generations of sake lovers, making these products that can be enjoyed everywhere and by everyone. The Sanrensei series in particular, highlights the central role of rice. The brewery has created three sakes made with three different sake rice, each tailored to a generation of customers. Watarifunerokugo represents the elderly generation, Yamadanishiki the one in the middle and, ginfubuki the younger generation. The result? Sakes rich in umami and acidity, where each expresses the uniqueness of their respective rice grains.

An additional particularity of this brewery is that the rice is polished minimally. This comes from the head brewer’s desire to maintain as much of the original rice umami as possible, without altering the taste of the excellent rice grains used for the sake production. For this reason, only 45% of the rice grains are polished, allowing the original character of the grains to shine.

Ku (久”continuity”) summarises the philosophy of the brewery, a bridge between the different generations through excellent sake-making. This approach aims at valuing tradition, while embracing the desire to make something new and surprising, with the dream of making sake a popular drink both among older and younger generations.

At the heart of this philosophy are two distinct brewing methods: Yamahai and Ginjo, which represent respectively tradition and innovation in sake-making. Yamahai, characterised by a long brewing period, has been honoured at Mifuku since its beginning, becoming a symbol of this excellent brewery. This method produces rich and complex flavours that showcase the quality and versatility of the brewery’s sake, that allow them to be savoured at various temperatures. It is no surprise that Yamahai sakes at Mifuku have been able to win gold and highest gold award at the “National Warm Sake Contest”!

The Ginjo method, on the other hand, gives birth to easy-to-drink sakes with captivating fruity notes. Crafted with exquisite rice, Mifuku’s Ginjo has become a cherished favourite, earning gold medals at the “International Wine Challenge, the London SAKE Challenge, as well as being used in high class environments all over the world!

By blending these two methods to perfection, Mifuku creates sakes that resonate across generations and cultures, creating a bridge between people with different backgrounds and preferences.

The pairings:

Junmai Ginjo (White) Yamadanishiki: made with the famous Yamadanishiki rice, is a perfect accompaniment to Western food. A popular pairing is with cheese and cream. The notes of green apple, rice and strawberry blossom pair perfectly with the creaminess of cheese-based dishes. Especially recommended (by the master brewer himself!) is enjoying this sake with gratin. Try it out to enhance the flavours of both the sake and the dish!

Sanrensei Junmai (Black) Ginfubuki: made with Ginfubuki rice, this is an extremely easy-to-drink sake, with a spectacular concentration of rice umami. Its citrussy flavours, given by notes of kiwi and passionfruit pairs excellently with soy-sauce-based dishes. This makes an outstanding accompaniment to Asian dishes like sushi!

Sanrensei Junmai Daiginjo (Red) Watarifunerokugo: made with an older variety of rice (dating back to 100 years!) – Watarifunerokugo rice – this sake has a slightly bitter but fresh flavour. Its fruity notes make it an excellent pairing for roast beef and other grilled dishes.

Shippo Mifuku Sparkling: this sparkling sake is characterised by a fruity flavour, that includes notes like apple, pears and nectarines. This makes it a drink that can be easily enjoyed as a dessert or entrée’s sake. Best paired with sweet fruits like strawberries or indulgent treats like chocolate!

Shippo Mifuku Light: with a juice-like flavour and sweetness, this sake is an extremely easy-to-drink sake. Its fruitiness makes it a perfect for desserts, as well as to be enjoyed on its own as a refreshing drink! Try it out to discover its indulgent flavour!