Hitachino Nest is the world-renowned craft beer brand produced by Kiuchi Shuzo, a multi-generational brewery in Ibaraki that continues to brew premium sake–the beverage that it actually started with–along with other fine products like umeshu (plum wine) and, more recently, whisky. It’s restaurant in San Francisco, Hitachino Beer & Wagyu (featured in issue 15 of Sake Today), is hosting three days of special events in late April. Please see the summaries below for more information.
All-day Happy Sake Hour (April 23rd)
Kiuchi’s sake is refined and also not widely distributed, even in Japan, due to its small batch size. In America, this is probably one of the few places you’ll find it–it’s certainly the largest selection. On this day, between 4:30 and 11:30pm, guests can enjoy a tasting flight of four rare sake for $40. Walk-ins are of course welcome.
Sake + Soba + Conversation (with the CEO, Youichi Kiuchi; April 24th)
The 5th generation owner of Kiuchi Shuzo will be on hand to host an intimate dinner with eight guests. The region around the brewery is well known for its hand-made soba (buckwheat noodles), which will be the main course. Chef Noriyuki Sugie will also be serving several other dishes to be paired with a special selection of drinks. Youichi will be unveiling “Shinshu”, the company’s new releases of sake for 2019. A total of three “shinshu” brews you can only enjoy at the dinner, and two other sake, will be served. The elegant dinner will cost $150, and will be from 7pm to 9pm. Reservations are required, tip is not included, and a deposit will be charged to discourage sudden cancellations (commit yourself fully to the dinner, people! It will be worth it; we’ve experience one like this before. Please contact: info@hitachinosf.com)
Omakase Course (“Leave it to the Chef”; April 25th)
On this special night, both chef Sugie and Youichi Kiuchi will prepare your rustic, Ibaraki-themed, multi-course dinner. Will there be wagyu? Oh yes, there will be wagyu, though perhaps prepared like you’ve never seen it. Each dish will be paired with either sake or beer, as recommended by the two. The special course runs from 5pm to 9:30pm and costs $120 (tip not included; seating is limited; reservations required via resy.com or by e-mail: info@hitachinosf.com)
Hitachino Beer & Wagyu
639 Post St
San Francisco, CA 94109
(415) 624-3580
info@hitachinosf.com
