One week from today is the annual Saké Fest PDX, returning for it’s sixth year. This year, the location has been updated to the Pavilion Ballroom at Hilton Portland & Executive Tower. It is taking place next week on Wednesday June 22 2016 from 6:30 PM to 9:00 PM. The event gives those who attend the ability to sample a large variety of Japanese and US sake brands while learning how to pair the traditional Japanese drink with a wide variety of food, including cheese, desserts, chocolate and a wide range of fusion, Asian and continental cuisines.

I found this latter part one of my favorite educational experiences – besides trying lots of different sakes, exploring different combinations of sake samples and food samples had surprising results. I’ve never gone out of my way to have sake and cheese, but now I know (though I shouldn’t be surprised) that cheese goes with everything, including making great pairings that bring out new flavors by contrasting and complimenting flavors in cheeses and sake, such as Floating World Sake’s mushroomy Soma no Tengu with some cheese by Steve Jones of Chizu and Cheese Bar.

And by extension, sake paired with the Davis Street Tavern mac and cheese is a winner too. One surprise pairing winner was a recommendation from Whole Foods of strawberry, creamy chevre cheese, and Kaika Tonbindori Shizuku Blossoming Scents “Supreme Droplets” Tochigi sake. By itself one sake that impressed me was Mutemaka with its smoky flavors and unusual color since it’s made from ceremonial red rice. All of this at face value from initial description may sound a little odd – but be bold and go ahead and try things that sound weird and you may discover and learn something new, don’t just dismiss it!

A ticket to Saké Fest PDX experience is full access to all food and all saké sampling stations – even rare & premium saké varieties, and includes a sake tasting glass. In addition, Early Admission Ticket holders get an additional hour before the regular admission guests by entering at 5:30 PM and is limited to only 100 people.

There will be 22 sake breweries and distributors offering multiple sakes at each station, which is a huge diverse variety to explore. I can’t think of another way to try so many sakes in one place.

Takara Sake USA Inc; Dreyfus Ashby & Co. featuring Ichishima Shuzo; Kuramoto US

My advice to remember what you enjoy is to take photos of the sake. Don’t worry about being an amateur- the names and locations and types are still a jumble of syllables for me too.

Barrel Aged (Taru Sake) in ceder barrels, from Kitsukura Brewery, Honjozo (premium); Sacred Mist (Honjozo Nigori, unfiltered premium) from Miyashita Brewery; Hakutsuru Sho-Une Junmai-Dai Ginjo

There are 20 participating restaurants and food providers who will be offering food sampling stations where you can have a bite between sakes and try to create your own interesting pairings. The list includes

• Ajinomoto Windsor
• MIHO Izakaya
• Bamboo Sushi
• Zilla Saké House
• Shurky Jurky
• JFC International Inc.
• Noraneko
  
• Saucebox
  
• Yama Sushi & Izakaya
  
• biwa
  
• Bamboo Grove Hawaiian Grille
• Batch PDX
  
• Yakuza Lounge
• Sticky Island Treats
  
• SmallWares, last year their bite offering was chilled miso soup, yuzu, pineapple serrano relish, basil, hijiki, sesame and scallion
  
• Uwajimaya
• The American Local
• Whole Foods Market Pearl
  
• Behind the Museum Café
• Xocolatl de David

Tickets for the event are $55 per person regular admission or $75 per person early admission tickets. Attendees must be 21 or older to attend. You can purchase tickets in advance here and there will be a limited number of tickets available at the door.

Scenes from Sake Fest PDX 2015 – Misc Sake photos

The Meadow presenting Steak and Eggs made on a Salt Block and finished with tarragon butter

The gorgeous treats from Yume Asian Confections which possibly equaled the sake in my excitement over the discovery of these traditional treats that you can order custom made and are so super Japanese!

Do you drink sake? What do you usually have when enjoying sake? Are you like me it’s pretty much stay in the box of having it with sushi?