Ohmine Brewing Company

Omine Sake Brewery, founded in 1822 (Bunsei 5), ceased production in 1955 (Showa 30), marking the end of its history. However, in 2009, Mr. Tsuyoshi Akiyama, who is from Mine City, Yamaguchi Prefecture, where the brewery is located, decided to restart sake production in his hometown (at that time, they were still renting space at another brewery and brewing sake), and in 2018. Shinkura was opened. The pure white concrete exterior of Mine City is surrounded by mountains, and the entire area is certified as a Japanese Geopark, making it a unique and modern setting that surprises visitors. There is a cafe and a shop inside, and the facility is designed so that you can see the sake brewing process through the window.
The sake made at Omine Sake Brewery is also unique. The newly launched “OHMINE” brand only has an illustration of a rice grain on the front. One grain represents Junmai Daiginjo, two grains represent Junmai Ginjo, and three grains represent Junmai Sake. If anything, they are based on sweetness, and there are various ways to present them, such as fruity ones and low-alcohol ones. Although it has only been released for a short time, it is already loved not only in Japan but also in restaurants around the world. I wouldn’t go so far as to call it unconventional, but it is a sake brewery that is attracting attention because of its attitude of respecting tradition and not being bound by stereotypes. (Tomomi Seki)