Tsunan Sake Brewery Co., Ltd. (Headquartered in Tsunan, Niigata Prefecture, CEO: Kengo Suzuki), in collaboration with FERMENT8 Co., Ltd. (Headquartered in Nagaoka, Niigata Prefecture, CEO: Takashi Nagai), has launched a pioneering ‘Smart Brewing’ system within its brewery, integrating generative AI with brewing microbiology research. This initiative marks a significant leap in sustainable brewing practices.
Sustainable Brewing with Smart Technology
The Smart Brewing system embodies Tsunan Sake Brewery’s “Brew for Future” philosophy, merging traditional sake brewing techniques with advanced generative AI technology. This system analyzes data on microbial behavior and quality control, providing insights for more efficient and environmentally-friendly brewing. Tsunan Sake Brewery aims to improve the quality of sake while maintaining sustainability, a goal made achievable through this innovative approach. With the expertise and collaboration of FERMENT8, this system has been brought to practical use within the brewery, potentially contributing to the broader development of the sake brewing industry.
Art and Science in Sake Brewing
Sake brewing is an intricate blend of art and science, involving rice, koji, yeast, and the unique environmental factors of the brewery such as temperature, humidity, and airborne elements. This complex interaction offers limitless possibilities in flavor and quality. The development of the Smart Brewing system utilizing generative AI leverages this vast pool of wisdom, experience, and research results, aiming for a future of sustainable brewing practices.
Generative AI in the Face of Nature’s Challenges
Located in one of Japan’s heaviest snowfall areas, Tsunan Sake Brewery faces harsh natural conditions, with winter snow depths reaching 3-4 meters. These climate changes can have unpredictable effects on sake quality, which they have now begun to address with the introduction of generative AI. As an extension of this effort, breweries will be able to respond flexibly to environmental changes and ensure consistent sake brewing quality; the AI system will analyze and accumulate data on changes in the production process due to environmental changes and provide insights for more efficient and environmentally friendly sake production.
From ‘Sustainable’ to ‘Regenerative’ Brewing
Amid challenging natural conditions, Tsunan Sake Brewery is harnessing generative AI to achieve sustainable brewing. This innovative approach analyzes climate change and manufacturing process variations, balancing quality control with environmental considerations. Going beyond mere sustainability, this strategy aims to enhance the resilience and regenerative capabilities of the brewery, carving a new future for sake production by integrating tradition with cutting-edge technology.
Tsunan Sake Brewery Co., Ltd.
Address: 7141 Akinari, Tsunan, Nakauonuma District, Niigata Prefecture
CEO: Kengo Suzuki
Website: https://tsunan-sake.com