Is Sake a Wine or a Beer?

Have you ever considered the nature of sake? Though rice-based liquors like this Japanese favorite are frequently identified as “rice wine”, there is a bit of ambiguity as to what category sake actually falls under. On one hand, sake is very much like a beer in that it is made out of fermented grains. It also doesn’t improve with age the way many conventional wines do, and is best enjoyed within a year of its bottling. On the other hand, it feels similar to a wine in that it is a non-carbonated drink with an average alcoholic content of 17%, well above the normal level for most beers.

Ultimately, it’s probably best to realize that the labels people put on drinks are far from hard and fast. Should you ever feel the need to explore the issue further, of course, you’re always welcome to come and grab a glass of Japan’s favorite liquor at Sushi Hana’s Japanese restaurant in Bothell.