RICE TO THE OCCASION – HOW BERLIN IS REIMAGINING THE SPIRIT OF JAPAN
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Issue 139
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March 2026
apart from their Japanese counterparts. Reigen is one of only a handful of sake breweries based in Europe. Run by Francesco Todescato, Katharina Koitz and Sebastian Mrohs, along with their Japanese brewmaster
PHOTOS: REIGEN.IMAGES
In 2024, reports showed that exports to Western Europe grew by 18% year-on-year, with Germany being a key driver in this trend, accounting for 5% of the global Sake Market. In Berlin alone, there are now several sake-specialist bars and restaurants, many of which have popped up over the past few years, including Shizuku, Bar Neiro and Our Sake Club, a specialist bar opened by international techno DJ Richie Hawtin. The city even
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Situated in a former bowling alley in Berlin’s Wedding district, outside from the city centre, the team at Reigen brewed their first sake back in 2024. The Germanised sakes are sparkling, cloudy, aged, and oxidised, which set them
Jun Santo, the sake brewery is riding a wave of growing sake interest in Europe.
TEXT: DAN COLE
Germany, a country primarily known for its love of beer and wine, is seeing some major changes in its drink industry. Beer consumption is down, but sake demand is rising. And, as the Japanese beverage takes more prominence in the market, the country saw its first sake brewery open in Berlin. Founded by three music lovers and their Japanese brewmaster, Reigen Fermentation uses European ingredients and modern brewing techniques, and applies them to traditional sake, bringing the drink to a younger, western market.