In Episode 17, hosts Samuel Boulton and Arline Lyons sit down to talk all things IWC Sake 2025. 🍶

We take a deep dive into this year’s results, sharing our thoughts on the standout winners and trends shaping the sake scene. Arline gives us a rare peek behind the curtain at how the International Wine Challenge (IWC) sake judging process really works, from the tasting tables to the final decisions.

Expect expert insights, honest opinions, and plenty of sake enthusiasm in this behind-the-scenes look at one of the world’s most respected Nihonshu competitions!

Join hosts Samuel Boulton and guest Sam Chatterji for the second half of our special Moutai series. Following Sam C's recent win at the UKBG Moutai Expedition Cocktail Competition, we travelled to Moutai Town, China, with Joyce Linn of Jazz Trading, and Kweichow Moutai.

In this episode, we go beyond the headlines and explore the fascinating world of sauce aroma baijiu, China’s most celebrated spirit. We break down what makes it unique, how it’s produced, and why it’s so important culturally and historically. Expect insights, stories from our trip, and plenty of flavourful conversation.
This trip was made possible with support from Jazz Trading UK (https://www.jazztradinglondonltd.com), UKBG, and Kweichow Moutai.

Disclaimer: We had a small issue with Samuel’s mic in this recording, so the audio is slightly lower quality than usual.

Episode 16: Samuel Boulton Chats with Brandon Doughan of Brooklyn Kura

In this episode of The Izakaya Happy Hour Podcast, host Samuel Boulton sits down with Brandon Doughan of Brooklyn Kura.

Brandon shares his journey into the art of sake brewing, from learning the craft to helping shape Brooklyn Kura into the vibrant brewery it is today. Sam and Brandon also dive into the future of sake in America, discussing trends, challenges, and the exciting potential of the growing market.

Whether you’re a sake enthusiast or just curious, this episode is packed with insight, stories, and inspiration from Brooklyn’s leading sake makers.

Disclaimer: Due to technical issues on our end, this episode was recorded with slightly lower audio quality than usual, but the conversation was too good not to share!

🎙️ Cam & Sam Talks — Episode 3 Grafting

In this episode of Cam & Sam Talks, things get a little real and a little ridiculous as Cam and Sam dive into the world of working in a Japanese sake brewery 🍶🏭

Camilla shares stories from her time living and working at a brewery, including an unforgettable (and slightly dramatic) medical emergency that happened mid-brew 👀

Meanwhile, Sam reflects on whether he’d ever take the plunge and work in a brewery himself and what holds him back.

A candid, funny, and thoughtful episode for anyone curious about the reality of working in Japan’s sake industry.

Join hosts Samuel Boulton and guest Sam Chatterji for a 2 part talk about something non-japanese! In this episode, we celebrate Sam’s recent win at the UKBG Moutai Expedition Cocktail Competition, where he secured 1st place. The cocktail and we discuss our recent travels to Moutai Town, China, to explore the home of sauce aroma baijiu. This trip was generally generously supported by Jazz Trading UK as well as UKBG and Kweichow Moutai.

Disclaimer: We had a small issue with our host Samuel’s mic in this episode, so please excuse the lower audio quality than usual.

In this episode of The Izakaya Happy Hour Podcast, host Samuel Boulton sits down with sake translator and educator Arline Lyons, and sake importer and educator Erika Haigh, to explore the world of sake and shochu courses.

Together, they share their must-do courses, what you can expect to learn, and their personal opinions on where to start if you’re considering formal education in sake or shochu. From beginner-friendly introductions to more advanced certifications, this conversation lays out the pathways available for anyone looking to deepen their knowledge.

This episode sets the stage for a follow-up where we’ll break down each course in detail, from content to pricing and beyond. So you can find the right fit for your journey.

Whether you’re a drinks professional, a brewer, or simply passionate about Japanese beverages, this discussion is packed with insights to help you navigate the world of sake and shochu learning.

Join the Conversation:

Have you taken a sake or shochu course? Which one helped you the most? Let us know on social @theizakayahappyhour or drop us a message!

In this tasty little episode of Cam & Sam Talks, Camilla gets her first spoonfuls of Gelato San, Sam’s brand new Japanese-inspired ice cream ! 🍨🇯🇵

Tune in as Cam blind-tastes a range of unique flavours, reacts in real-time, and the duo chats about:

• ​ What makes Gelato San different
• ​ Flavour inspiration from Japanese sweets and culture
• ​ The magic (and madness) of launching a new food brand

Short and sweet, this episode is a must-listen for foodies, Japan lovers, and anyone who’s curious about creative small-batch desserts.

Episode 1 - Cam & Sam Talks Holidays!

Welcome to the very first episode of Cam & Sam Talks a new mini-series from The Izakaya Happy Hour Podcast.

In these shorter, 20-ish minute episodes, your hosts Camilla Bonnannini and Samuel Boulton catch up on all things they love: Japanese food, drink, culture, travel, news… or just whatever’s on their minds.

This time? It’s all about Japan travel plans! Both Sam and Cam are heading to Japan later this year with their partners, who’ll be experiencing the country for the first time.

In this relaxed, personal chat, they discuss:

• The cities they’re planning to visit

• Sake breweries at the top of their lists

• What their partners are most excited about

• Bars spots they can’t wait to visit or try for the first time

• How it feels to return to Japan with fresh eyes, and new company

If you’re planning your first (or next!) Japan trip, love sake, or just enjoy travel talk with good vibes, this one’s for you.

In this episode of The Izakaya Happy Hour Podcast, hosts Samuel Boulton and Camilla Bonnannini are joined by special guest Adam Smith-Hopesdale, a devoted fan of Japanese sake, though not a professional in the industry.

Together, they dive into an insightful conversation about how Japanese sake is perceived, marketed, and ultimately sold outside Japan. With Sam and Camilla offering expertise from within the industry, and Adam providing a candid consumer perspective, this episode bridges both sides of the market to uncover what really works (and what doesn’t) when it comes to promoting sake globally.

Whether you’re in the drinks trade, a sake brewer, or just curious about the sake scene, this episode is packed with ideas, opinions, and practical takeaways.

Join the Conversation:

What’s your experience selling or discovering sake? Let us know on social @theizakayahappyhour or drop us a message!

The Izakaya Happy Hour Podcast – Episode 13: Fun & Novelty Packaging in the Sake Industry

Welcome back to The Izakaya Happy Hour Podcast! In this episode, hosts Samuel Boulton (@boultononbooze), Arline Lyons (@tastetranslation), and Sarah Stewart (@sakestudies) dive into the wild and wonderful world of fun and novelty packaging in the sake industry.

From anime collaborations to seasonal releases and zodiac-themed bottles, sake makers are constantly coming up with creative ways to capture our attention—and our taste buds!

What’s in this episode?

🍶 Attack on Titan sake?! – How anime collaborations are bringing new fans to the world of sake.

🍶 The “Fu Fighters” effect – When bands, brands, and brewers join forces for unique releases.

🍶 Seasonal and zodiac sake – Limited-edition designs for the Lunar New Year and beyond.

🍶 Sake for spectacle wearers – A quirky concept where only those with glasses can enjoy the drink.

Whether you’re a sake enthusiast, a packaging design lover, or just here for the offbeat finds, this episode is packed with unique bottles, clever marketing, and unexpected collaborations.

Grab your favorite sake and join us for another round of Izakaya Happy Hour! Kanpai! 🥂

🎧 Listen now and follow us for more:

📢 Samuel Boulton – @boultononbooze

📢 Arline Lyons – @tastetranslations

📢 Sarah Stewart – @sakestudies