Takashimizu Shinshu Hatsushibori Honjōzō

Takashimizu Shinshu Hatsushibori Honjōzō (高清水新酒初しぼり本醸造) has a young, fresh aroma reminiscent of green grass and a rich, deep flavour typical of Akita sake. It is made of rice grown in Akita Prefecture and AK 1 yeast. With an alcohol content of 19%, it ranges well above regular sake. Shinshu Hatsushibori can be enjoyed cold, on the rocks or with water. The brewery recommends pairing it with sashimi of yellowtail and Spanish mackerel, ankimo (liver), pufferfish with ponzu (Japanese citrus juice), and hot pot.

Akita Shurui Seizoh Brewery is located in Akita City and was founded in 1944 when twelve breweries were merged into one, as were most other small and medium-sized companies in the final period of the Second World War to overcome the war-time shortage of ingredients. In 1950, the main brewery resumed operations. Akita Shurui Seizoh has two production facilities in Akita and a rice polishing facility. The brewery has two labels, "Takashimizu" (高清水) for the Japanese market and "Shimizu-no-mai" for the U.S. market.

"Takashimizu" was chosen from 5,037 submissions and means "high spring water". In Akita City, "Takashimizu Hill" is famous for its spring water. According to legend, the sacred spring started gushing in the middle of the 7th​ century; the area is also known as the location of Akita Castle, one of the biggest citadels in the extreme north of Japan.

Awards:

Akita Shurui Seizoh Brewery has been awarded Gold medals at the Annual Japan New Sake Awards for fifteen years (as of 2014). Goshono Brewery received Gold medals for eleven years. The brewery was awarded Gold medals at the Tohoku Sake Awards for nineteen consecutive years. During these nineteen years, it won the Top Honour Award five times.