This week’s episode is especially timely, as Justin managed to

squeeze in an interview with Stephen

Lyaman to coincide with the launch of his brand new book, The

Complete Guide to Japanese Drinks, co-authored together with Chris

Bunting, author of Drinking Japan, which released

October 1st in the U.S. and is already largely available

internationally thanks to Tuttle

Publishing.

Those familiar with Stephen’s work may associate mostly with Japan’s

beloved indigenous spirit, shochu. Sake On Air’s shochu aficionado, Christopher

Pellegrini sat down for an extensive interview with Stephen back in Episode

14. Giving that show a listen first will be a great primer for this week’s

discussion.

This week’s show is a lot of fun because we delve into a great deal

more than just sake and shochu. A rarity for the show, Stephen’s new book gave

us a great opportunity to discuss Japanese wine, whiskey, beer, cocktails, and

how all of these things play into the greater landscape of ‘drinking in Japan.’

Stephen is currently on the road promoting his new book, so be sure to

listen in for upcoming tour dates, as well as follow him on Twitter and Instagram in order to

keep tabs on the Kyushu-based founder of Kampai.us

and East Coast instructor for the Sake

School of America Certified Shochu Advisor Course, and hopefully thank him

in-person for his great contribution with The

Complete Guide to Japanese Drinks.

We’d love your thoughts and feedback on this week’s episode. Let us

know what excites you about shochu at [email protected]

You can always follow us on Instagram, Twiiter, and Facebook, and if you’re so

inclined, our YouTube

channel is finally just about up-to-date as well, for those that prefer

plenty of video-distractions just one click away.

Also, reviews

are great. If you have a moment, please do share a few kind words. It helps

the show like you wouldn’t believe.

Thanks for listening, and kampai!

Sake On Air is made possible with the generous

support of the Japan Sake & Shochu Makers Association and is broadcast from the Japan Sake & Shochu Information Center in Tokyo. The show is a co-production between Export

Japan and Potts.K

Productions, with audio

production by Frank Walter.

Our theme, “Younger Today Than Tomorrow” is

composed by forSomethingNew for Sake On Air.