Garyūbai Junmai Ginjō Spring Has Come

Garyūbai Junmai Ginjō Spring Has Come (臥龍梅 純米吟醸 Spring Has Come) is made of Honmarefuji rice grown in Shizuoka Prefecture and milled to 55%. It is a spring-only sake from the Garyūbai Ukiyoe series, freshly squeezed in early spring and released in February. "Spring Has Come" boasts intense sweetness, a mellow aroma, and fresh flavours unique to Garyūbai. It has an alcohol content in the 15% range and is bottled in a spring pink bottle.

The origins of Sanwa Shuzō and its Ōshukubai brewery trace back to the Jōkyō era (貞享, 1684-1687). The founder, Ichibei (市兵衛), sought divine guidance for quality water to craft sake and was led by a nightingale, an avatar of the Inari deity, to a pristine spring at Mount Asama's base. This event in 1686 marked the establishment of the brewery in Nishikubo, Shimizu Ward, Shizuoka. The Ōshukubai sake, cherished by locals for nearly three centuries, is a testament to the brewery's enduring legacy. In May 1971, the Suzuki family formed Sanwa Shuzo Cō., Ltd., introducing 'Shizu Gokoro,' a sake embodying the spirit of Shizuoka. The award-winning 'Hagoromo no Mai' (羽衣の舞) pure rice sake debuted in 1985, followed by 'Garyūbai' (臥龍梅) in 2002, a modern take on sake that maintains traditional brewing methods while offering a bold flavour and aroma. The company's products, now distributed nationwide, continue to garner acclaim.