Brewing sake of Fukui
Keisuke Izumi is ”kuramoto toji” (owner also acting as chief brewer) of the traditional brewery which dates back to the mid Edo period. In 1998, he attained the highest score at a ”sake” tasting competition in Fukui with ”ginjo sake” he brewed for the first time as chief brewer. He also won gold at the Kanazawa Regional Taxation Bureau Liquor Awards and the National New Sake Awards, quickly rising to prominence. The motto of his sake brewing is ”straightforward taste with a mild aroma, that is not exaggerated or artificial”. Notable among his products is ”Fukuichi”, which uses yeast from Fukui.
Forming a society of ”kuramoto toji”
While there were others which used yeast from Fukui, ”Fukuichi” was the first of its kind to have won a prize of excellence at the Kanazawa Regional Taxation Bureau Liquor Awards. ”Fukuichi” is characterized by the slight scent of fruit and the sharp but soft flavor. It also has an outstanding aftertaste.
Izumi formed the ”Fukui Kuramoto Toji Society” in 2002. As the chairperson of the society, he remains dedicated to studying brewing techniques and guiding young brewers, leading the ”sake” brewing industry in Fukui.
