October 10th is Doburoku Day. The image that "Doburoku is an old-fashioned sake, right?" is no longer in vogue. We explain the strange past of Doburoku and its current status as a craft sake. We also introduce Doburoku registered in Sake World NFT!

Doburoku is back in the spotlight after 100 years

Also called "muddled sake," doburoku is made from rice, koji, and water, and is made from the raw mash, as opposed to seishu, which is made by filtering the mash. You might recognize it as the white sake you see people drinking deliciously in izakaya scenes in period dramas.

According to one theory, doburoku was born along with rice cultivation. It was used in religious ceremonies and festivals, and was popular among the common people as an everyday alcoholic drink brewed by farmers.
However, with the gradual revision of the Liquor Tax Law during the Meiji period, home brewing (the act of making alcohol at home) was completely banned in 1899. This meant that doburoku, which had been popular as "the alcohol of the common people," became a distant memory.

The turning point came more than 100 years later, in 2002.
The "Structural Reform Special Zone Law" was promulgated as part of the administrative restructuring, and structural reform special zones were established from the perspective of regional development, with the Doburoku Special Zone system being one of them. This led to the creation of "Doburoku Special Zones" all over the country in 2003.
Now, about 20 years later, it has been rebranded and is now in the spotlight as a genre of craft sake. Doburoku is an "old yet new sake" that has become much more refined and delicious.

Why is Doburoku Day on October 10th?

The name Doburoku Day comes from the play on words, "10 (tou → do) 2 (bu) 6 (roku)." It was established by Takeshige Honke Brewery in Nagano Prefecture. The brewery, which produces the doburoku brand "Juuniroku," opens its brewery to the public on Doburoku Day.

In addition, the Doburoku Lovers community, a community of doburoku fans, will hold a festival for doburoku fans called the Doburoku Love Festa. Until now, the festival has been held in Tokyo, but in 2024 it will be held in Kyoto for the first time.
The first part, "Doburoku Offering Ceremony and Traditional Performing Arts," also looks interesting. I can just picture the enthusiasm of the doburoku lovers.
https://dobu-love.com/2024/08/21/2024

Doburoku available for purchase with Sake World NFT

Junmai Nama Doburoku "Asamitsu" (Fukumitsu Shuzo, Hiroshima Prefecture)

Fukumitsu Sake Brewery once closed down due to illness of the previous third-generation owner, but the young fourth-generation owner revived the brewery in 3, specializing in doburoku and wine. "Asamitsu," inspired by the nostalgic image of rural doburoku, is their signature product.
It has a slightly dry, crisp taste and can be enjoyed with meals.

Ingredients: rice, rice malt
Rice used: 100% Koimomiji rice from Hiroshima Prefecture
Flavor: Yogurt, Lychee
Alcohol content: 12%
Yeast: Kyokai No. 8 + Hiroshima Reiwa No. 1 yeast

Pure rice doburoku “Gold Asahi”

The gold type is a pure rice ginjo-style doburoku made from Koimomiji rice, a type of rice unique to Hiroshima that the brewery has revived in collaboration with local farmers, and polished to 60%. With a gorgeous aroma and a crisp, dry taste, it is perfect as an accompaniment to meals.

Ingredients: rice, rice malt
Rice used: 100% Koimomiji rice from Hiroshima Prefecture
Flavor: Yogurt, Lychee
Alcohol content: 12%
Yeast: Kyokai No. 8 + Hiroshima Reiwa No. 1 yeast

Click here for the sake brewery in this article

Fukumitsu Sake Brewery

Hiroshima

♯Hiroshima♯Sake brewery

Doburoku (Rice and Agave, Akita Prefecture)

The representative of the craft sake brewery is "Ina to Agave". It has been a staple product since the brewery was founded, and aims to be the best doburoku. This season, it has a slightly sweet finish, making it an all-purpose sake that is delicious both cold and warm.

Ingredients: Rice (produced in Akita Prefecture), rice malt (produced in Akita Prefecture)
Rice used: 100% Akita Prefecture rice
Alcohol content: 12%
Yeast: Not disclosed

Click here for the sake brewery in this article

Rice and Agave Co., Ltd.

Akita

♯Sake brewery

Try the latest doburoku!

Doburoku's cloudy liquid contains a protein called resistance protein, which is said to suppress the absorption of fat. It is also rich in essential amino acids, enzymes that regulate the intestinal environment, and dietary fiber, so it is not only delicious but is also attracting attention for its health benefits.

It would be a shame to continue with the outdated image of doburoku as an old-fashioned drink. Be sure to try the latest doburoku made by these spirited brewers!

Writer/Sake Master Eriko Fujita
Expand your world to a sake specialty store in Osaka and encounter a variety of sake and sake breweries. Favorite sakes are Akishika, Ohgi, and others.
Other than drinking, my hobbies include collecting minerals and raising swallowtail butterflies.