Sake On Air

Most people outside Japan think of sake as that warm rice wine you get at sushi restaurants. Sake On Air exists to completely upend that notion. Hosted by a rotating group of industry professionals based in Japan, including Frank Walter, Chris Hughes, Sebastien Lemoine, and Cindy Bissig, this biweekly show treats sake with the same seriousness that wine podcasts give to Burgundy or Napa Valley. Across 190 episodes, the show covers everything from brewing techniques and regional rice varieties to the economics of running a small brewery in rural Japan. The hosts interview brewers, sommeliers, and industry figures, and because they are working professionals in the sake world themselves, the conversations go deep. You will learn about the difference between junmai and honjozo, how water source affects flavor profiles, and why certain prefectures have historically dominated sake production. Episodes typically run 40 to 70 minutes, with a conversational pace that makes complex topics accessible. The hosts are clearly passionate but not pretentious. They will geek out about polishing ratios in one breath and recommend a great everyday sake for under ten dollars in the next. With a 4.8-star rating from 28 reviews, it is a smaller show, but the audience is devoted. This is a podcast about Japanese culture through a very specific and fascinating lens. You do not need to be a sake expert to enjoy it, but you will probably become one if you listen long enough.