Hatsuage (first pressing of the season)

Hatsuage (初揚げ) refers to the first pressing of new sake in a given year. Pressing is known in Japanese as joso (上槽). The occasion marks an important milestone in sake brewing and holds special meaning for brewers. When hatsuage takes place, a celebration is held to mark the release of new sake as the result of the brewing work, and in many cases local people and others connected to the brewery gather for a celebratory event. This new sake reflects that year's climate, the quality of the rice and other conditions, giving it a distinctive character, and it is much loved by local people. Hatsuage can be considered an important event within Japanese sake culture.