Supplying Sake to the World:
Gekkeikan Sake (USA), Inc. Celebrates its 20th Anniversary

Gekkeikan Sake (USA), Inc., Gekkeikan Sake Company, Ltd.’s American subsidiary, celebrates its 20th anniversary this year, having been founded in Folsom, California on July 26, 1989. Together with its parent company, Gekkeikan Sake (USA) has over the years supplied sake not only to the USA with its high demand, but also to Canada, Brazil, Europe and other markets throughout the world.

Development of Technology for Producing Bioethanol
from Nonfood Materials Using Super Koji

Gekkeikan Research Institute is making progress in the development of basic technology for the production of bioethanol from paddy straw, chaff, waste wood and other nonfood plant materials. One major achievement is the development of technology for the mass production of cellulolytic enzymes (enzymes capable of breaking down the plant cellulose that comprises the raw material) through the solid-state culture of koji mold, a microorganism used in sake brewing. The way that koji mold produces enzymes that liquefy starch and convert it to sugar while multiplying on steamed rice, a solid, served as a hint for development of the technology.

Bioethanol from Paddy Straw and Chaff
Gekkeikan Research Institute in Joint Development of Production Technology

Gekkeikan Research Institute has succeeded in adapting brewing technology to develop a means of producing bioethanol from nonfood plant materials such as paddy straw and chaff. The research was conducted jointly with researchers from Kobe University, Kyoto University and Tohoku University over the space of three years from 2004 as part of an Innovative Technology Development Research Project established by Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST).

Gekkeikan’s “Horin” Wins Grand Gold Medal
for Second Consecutive Year at Monde Selection

Gekkeikan’s top class sake, “Horin” brand junmai daiginjo (literally “pure rice ultra premium quality sake”), has been awarded a Grand Gold Medal in the Spirits & Liqueurs Division of the 2007 Monde Selection international food and beverage competition. This is the second consecutive year that Horin has been awarded the Grand Gold Medal.

Gekkeikan’s “Horin” Wins Grand Gold Medal at Monde Selection

Gekkeikan’s top class sake, “Horin” brand junmai daiginjo (literally “pure rice ultra premium quality sake”), has been awarded a Grand Gold Medal in the Spirits & Liqueurs Division of the 2006 Monde Selection international food and beverage competition.