About
Maizuru Shuzo is a sake brewery in Asamai, Hiraka-cho, Yokote City, Akita Prefecture, founded in 1918 (Taisho 7). The Asamai district lies at the tip of an alluvial fan terrace along the Minase River (皆瀬川), an area where abundant subterranean water wells up. The company name and the brand Asanomai are linked to the cranes that, at the time of the brewery's founding, flew in every morning to a marsh near the brewery. Today the brewery makes only Junmai sake, which it matures for about three to five years before shipping. A characteristic of its brewing is that the moromi (fermentation mash) is fermented thoroughly at a temperature higher than is typical in Akita Prefecture. The toji (master brewer) is Hanako Kudo, who brews Tabito (田从) and Gekkanomai, among others.
