11th Annual Joy of Sake

By Aubrey Hawk

This year The Joy of Sake moves makai to an elegant seaside venue at the newly renovated Sheraton Waikiki. This signature event is the largest

sake tasting held outside of Japan, providing Hawaii with a rare opportunity to experience the world's finest sakes in peak condition, along with sake appetizers prepared by some of Honolulu's top chefs.

The Joy of Sake is the public tasting event that follows the U.S. National Sake Appraisal. This blind tasting is sponsored by the International Sake Association and conducted by a team of 10 judges from Japan and the U.S. Judges evaluate aroma, taste, balance and overall harmony in each entry. Sakes with the highest scores receive gold and silver awards, and all 326 entries will be available for tasting at this year's Joy of Sake.

Sake enthusiasts will also be able to sample a terrific array of sake appetizers prepared by 15 of Hawaii's top chefs. The interplay between exquisite sakes and delicious appetizers continues to draw guests each year and has established The Joy of Sake as one of Honolulu's most anticipated events.

This year the Joy of Sake will raise funds for brewery families devastated by the Great East Japan Earthquake. "I visited the Tohoku region last month and saw the destruction first hand," said Joy of Sake coordinator Chris Pearce. "Twelve breweries in Japan were destroyed by either the earthquake or the tsunami. We used a GPS to locate the site of the Suisen brewery in Iwate Prefecture. When we got there, not even a brick was left standing. We found one of the brewing vats a mile away at the back of the valley. Nonetheless, Suisen and the other breweries are determined to rebuild."

The Sheraton Waikiki is collaborating with The Joy of Sake in this fund-raising event. "We hope everyone will come to have a good time, and also to help out the Tohoku brewery relief effort," said Sheraton Waikiki general manager Kelly Sanders. For reservations please call the hotel's reservation department at 922-4422 or visit www.starwoodhotelshawaii.com/kamaaina.

With sake enthusiasts from Japan and the Mainland planning to attend, the event is expected to sell out, as it has for the last two years. Local sake fans are encouraged to buy their tickets early. Validated parking is provided with every ticket purchase.

The 11th Annual Joy of Sake
What:	The 11th Annual Joy of Sake, featuring 326 premium sakes with appetizers from top Honolulu restaurants
When:	Friday, September 9, 2011 from 7:00 to 9:30 p.m.
Where:	Sheraton Waikiki Hawai'i Ballroom (second floor)
Tickets:	$80 in advance, $90 at the door, available at www.joyofsake.com or call the Sake Hotline at 808-222-0195. Also available at The Sake Shop, Marukai Markets, Fujioka's Wine Times and The Wine Stop
Info:	www.joyofsake.com

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