Kobayashi Shuzo 小林酒造 栃木県
Hououbiden 鳳凰美田
Nestled at the foot of Nikko Mountain overlooking beautiful rice fields, Kobayashi Shuzo has been crafting sake for over 150 years in the town of Oyama in Tochigi. 5th generation Masaki Kobayashi and his wife Mayumi, who has experience at the National Research Institute of Brewing, lead this top brewery crafting the Hououbiden sakes. Hououbiden, which stands for “Phoenix of the beautiful rice fields” was introduced in 2000 and is a line of sakes that are of ginjo level milling or higher, focusing on showcasing regionality and terroir of sake rice grown locally in Tochigi but also from Hyogo, Okayama, and Yamagata. The brewery prides itself on selecting only the finest locally sourced rice, handpicked for its exceptional quality and polished to perfection to reveal its purest essence. These are then brewed with the pristine waters originating from Nikko Mountain, where slowly it gets filtered naturally by Mother Earth and runs underground to the rice fields and the wells. This dedication to using premium ingredients combined with the mastery of ancient brewing techniques allows Kobayashi Shuzo to create a portfolio of sakes that showcase a harmonious blend of tradition and innovation, appealing to sake enthusiasts seeking depth and character in each sip.
Moreover, Kobayashi Shuzo is deeply committed to the innovation and growth of the brewery through investments in multiple production facilities, crafting a line of ginjo sake-based fruit liqueurs, and production of spirits aged in locally sourced mizunara oak casks. By prioritizing these initiatives and supporting local communities and farmers, the brewery continues to uphold its legacy as a guardian of tradition but also creates a path forward so breweries can continue to thrive, as previously when Masaki took the reigns of the brewery in 1992, the brewery only had 2 workers and was on the brink of closure.
Hououbiden is a testament to Kobayashi Shuzo's unwavering dedication to excellence and evolution. Every bottle offers a captivating journey through the flavours and heritage of Tochigi.
