Event Announcement: Sake Fest 2009

On April 7th, Sake Fest 2009 will open its doors again to a thirsty and enthusiastic crowd.  Sake Fest has been an annual event in Philadelphia since 2005 and has drawn in crowds of people eager to learn more about this increasingly popular drink.  The event features dozens of sake varieties and food from local restaurants, with the intent to educate people on the different types of sake, how it is made, and how to pair it with food. 

Sake Fest is organized in conjunction with the Japan America Society of Greater Philadelphia (JASGP) as a featured event in the annual Subaru Cherry Blossom Festival, said to be rivaled only by the festival in Washington D.C.  All net proceeds from Sake Fest benefit the JASGP.

As devoted fans of this beverage, we are looking forward to attending sake fest and we will post reviews of our experience and of the sake and food soon after the event. If you are planning to go, maybe we will see you there. If you can’t make it this year, maybe our reviews will provide a list of reasons to be there next year.

Details:
Sake Fest 2009
Presented by Event Navigators
Tuesday, April 7th
6:00 – 8:30pm
Loews Philadelphia Hotel
Click Here to purchase tickets.

Sake barrels at Meiji Shrine in Tokyo:

Rice at a sake brewery:

The fermentation process:

Sake in traditional cups, “kiki-joko.”

Newbold I.P.A.: Beer review

We bought a case of the variety pack from Philadelphia Brewing Company and I love the labels (and the beers). The Newbold I.P.A. is my kind of beer–the taste of the hops is strong but not overwhelming. The label is very diner/50s/Jones-y/South Philly (Newbold is a neighborhood in South Philly).

Philadelphia Brewing Company
Newbold IPA, 6.5% alcohol
Color: amber, clear
Carbonation: average
Smell: not strong, hoppy, a bit sour
Taste: hoppy, thin, bitter
Goes well with: smoky meats and strong cheeses

“Rekindle your passion for your favorite Philadelphia brewery by enjoying our substantial, aromatic India Pale Ale. Newbold is aggressively hopped, with a crimson hue and depth of flavor that will satisfy the most demanding devotee of this revived style.  Newbold I.P.A. tells it like it is.”

Sweet Potato: Asakusa

Down a pedestrian side-street in Asakusa is an amazing shop that sells variations of sweet potatoes, a famous winter food in Tokyo.  Walk down Nakamise-dori towards Sensoji Temple and turn left on Shin Nakamise-dori (click here to view an easy-to read map).

The pureed sweet potato baked in an apple is 525 yen and big enough to share between two people.  The potato is browned and crispy on top.  The apple is baked to perfection and is soft enough to eat with a plastic spoon.

Another option is a steamed sweet potato for 100 yen: