Saké Pure + Simple : Facts, Tips, Lore, Libation

Rating:
Summary: Kampai! to the authors
Review: A wonderfully accessible pocket-sized primer aimed at Americans who want to enjoy sake in the USA. This fun, eminently readable, book briefly discusses the culture of sake and how sake is brewed, then goes on to list and rate the best sake bars, shops, and breweries in North America. The authors are nothing if not opinionated, holding that although sake traditionally has been served warm, the flavor profiles can easily be destroyed by heat and most premium sakes taste best when served slightly chilled.

There are suggestions of what foods to eat or serve with sake (no, not sushi!) and several recipes. I also learned a neat factoid: the standard Japanese toast, "Kampai!," is written with two kanji characters, "dry" + "cup," with the obvious meaning of "drink up!"

As Japanese Food Host at BellaOnline, I'm happy to find a resource whose focus is brands of sake that are available to American readers. My only quibble is that not all the brands mentioned toward the rear of the book (where there's a list of what the names mean) are otherwise described or rated. I'd like to have seen more!

Rating:
Summary: True connoisseur's guide to the Japanese alcoholic beverage
Review: Collaboratively researched and written by Griffith Frost and John Gautner, and now in a thoroughly updated and newly revised edition, Sake: Pure + Simple is a true connoisseur's guide to the Japanese alcoholic beverage of sake. Sharing how to taste the difference between varieties of this traditional beverage, locations of the best sake bars and shops in North America, how sake is made, how to properly store sake at home, and poetic "sake conversation" and "sake moments" and other elements of sake lore, Sake Pure + Simple is a unique and superbly presented reference for anyone seeking to expand their palate and their dining experience.

Rating:
Summary: clearing up the sake steam
Review: I went to a sake tasting at the Japan Society in NYC where this book was a gift. It's accurate, well written and small enough to carry to the store. This book also brings a lot of information on the new American sakes. (and yes, the best sakes are drunk cold)

Rating:
Summary: Pure+Simple, A potpourri of information
Review: I'll keep my review short, as many of the others here have already pretty much noted all the details.

Saké Pure+Simple covers just about all topics Saké, from history, lore, sake bar etiquette, science (types of saké, how it's made, etc.), flavor profiles, and anecdotes.

It's good, easy reading (REALLY great for those 2-hour plane flights). It's organized in such a way that you can either read it straight through, or as I prefer it, just "flip to a page" at random. Great book!

Rating:
Summary: Easy to read and thorough in details and useful information.
Review: Sake` Pure+Simple walks you through a history of Sake and how this tasty drink is made. Beyond learning about sake in general, the authors provide you with information that you can actually use when in the store (or restaurant). Having lived in Japan, and have drank my fair share of sake, I find this book (aka guide) a useful tool in understanding this 4000 year old beverage. The more I learned about rice wine, the more I realize it's just as complex and fun to drink as grape wine.

Since reading the book I have begun drinking some of the author's recommendations cold, instead of scalding hot, and the taste is so pleasant and goes down easily (perhaps to easily). In the three weeks since buying the book I now have served sake numerous times with friends, once the fear of the unknown subsides, everyone has had a great time tasting various flavors and brands.

The authors pit themselves against each other at times to defend their opinions and it is a refreshing way to learn more about sake. I am ready for a newsletter or a continuously updated sake` web site from these competent author's.

Rating:
Summary: a great resource
Review: This is an excellent book for anyone with an interest in sake. Mr. Frost and Mr. Gautner explain how sake is produced, and how it is best enjoyed. I adore japanese food and sake is the classic beverage one drinks with sashimi or sushi. However, as this book illustrates, sake is a good deal more versatile. I found the recipe and cocktail section to be intriguing.

Rating:
Summary: Pure and simple indeed
Review: This is an indispensible guide for those who wish to know more about sake. It's written well and is easy to carry around if you happen to be at the store searching for a particular type of sake. By no means is this a comprehensive guide, but it will give you a good idea of what to look for in a quality sake. A must-buy for sake enthusiasts and curious drinkers alike.

Rating:
Summary: Pure and simple indeed
Review: This is an indispensible guide for those who wish to know more about sake. It's written well and is easy to carry around if you happen to be at the store searching for a particular type of sake. By no means is this a comprehensive guide, but it will give you a good idea of what to look for in a quality sake. A must-buy for sake enthusiasts and curious drinkers alike.