Sake it to me, Sydney. The signature drink of Japanese hospitality has given rise to the third annual Sake Festival, which takes over Carriageworks for two delicious days at the end of September.
Sydney is packed with wine festivals year-round, but now we finally have two days dedicated entirely to Japanese sake.
The unique beverage, generally made from polishing short or medium grade rice to remove to bran, will be the star of its eponymous festival, of course. But there’s also a wide variety of Japanese food and cultural activities being planned for the occasion, bringing all types of delicious, interesting and engaging stallholders to the Eveligh institution.
More than 200 varieties—yes, you read that correctly—of sake will feature at the event, with many Japanese sake breweries flying in directly from Japan to showcase the drink’s surprising range.
Tradition sits at the core of Sake Festival, so you can expect Japanese drum performances with singers, DJs and dances to round out to entertainment while 100 stallholders come together to celebrate.
The elegant visuals of a traditional Japanese flower show (AKA a Hannaningen show)
Several free Sake 101 seminars will also feature, including masterclasses on how to expertly pair sake with food and panel talks from some of Australia’s foremost experts on the traditional drink.
There are a few more surprises being planned across the two days as well, including a “walk” show. Originating in Japan, these contests simply celebrate the art of walking as a powerful expression of humanity and movement. It’s an example of the cultrual dimension that’s being poured into the Sake festival, beyond just having the country’s largest concentration of sake all in the one spot.
Sake Festival
Where: Carriageworks; 245 Wilson St, Eveleigh
When: Saturday, September 28 – Sunday, September 29
Tickets: From $60
