Today we’d like to introduce you to Jill Watanabe.
Jill, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
As a half-Japanese Salt Lake City local, I connected to my roots within my Japanese cuisine-based food and beverage career. I fell in love with sake after taking the Sake Advisor course through the Sake School of America in 2015.
My passion grew over the years and in 2019, I began researching American sake breweries, brewing techniques, and if it would be possible to open one in Utah of all places. The plan to homebrew, attend a sake brewing internship in Japan, and dive deep into the Utah liquor laws was the plan in 2020…but my plans were derailed by something called Covid-19.
So, instead, with all the newly found free time I had on my hands, I began cold calling people I believed would help start Utah’s First Sake Co, and Tsuki Sake was born! I have since had the honor and privilege of brewing an ultra-premium sake for the very first time I ever brewed sake! And additionally, became certified as a Sake Sommelier through the Sake School of America.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
I’m wondering if any startup can say they’ve had a “smooth road,” haha. I would say that in retrospect–starting a business during covid may not have been the best time…but here we are!
Supply chain issues, inflation, and jumping head first into the world of entrepreneurialism have not been “smooth,” but we have still managed to increase sales, troubleshoot our brewing and bottling techniques, and create a platform to build a community of sake lovers that are educated on why this beverage is amazing!
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Tsuki Sake?
Tsuki translates to the moon in Japanese, a feminine symbol. Our company is woman-owned, Japanese-American-owned, and LGBTQ+ owned. We are Utah’s first and only Premium, Craft, American Sake Co! Our products are created with a balance of traditional Japanese brewing techniques and modern American twists. We brew premium and ultra-premium sake using sustainable Japanese sake rice grown right here in America.
Our mission is to normalize the presence of sake on modern American menus, while still remaining inclusive of Japanese cuisine. Sake is gluten-free, sulfite-free, vegan, and kosher! Tsuki Sake is available at Utah liquor stores, available for out-of-state purchases on our website, tsukisake.com!
Visit our website for a list of bars and restaurants carrying our products, and follow us on Instagram for news @TsukiSakeSLC.
How do you define success?
Committing to and accomplishing small goals over and over again towards a larger goal.
In Tsuki Sake’s case: opening a local brick-and-mortar taproom and brewery, becoming a major player in the American sake industry, and building a bridge between Japan and the U.S. in order to further educate consumers and sake brewers.
Pricing:
- Tsuki Super Moon Junmai Daiginjo $29.99/750ML
- Tsuki Harvest Moon White Peach Nigori $23.99/750ML
- Tsuki Desert Moon Citrus Prickly Pear $25.99/750ML
- Tsuki Sparkling Super Moon on Draft!
Contact Info:
- Website: tsukisake.com
- Instagram: @tsukisakeSLC
- Facebook: Tsuki Sake
- TikTok: @TsukiSakeSLC
