Delicious Life of Belgium and Japan: Fermentation meets distillation

The BJA and Kaori Tea & Spices would like to invite you to a Nagano sake tasting experience at Filliers Distillery in Deinze, a recent participant to the Princely Economic Mission to Japan and one of the last family-owned Belgian jenever, gin and whisky brewer, dating back to 1880.

During this event you will have the unique opportunity to meet with Tōji (sake master brewer) of Hokko Masamune, Yuya Muramatsu and sake expert, Azumi Tamaoka, and taste a variety of Nagano sake under their professional guidance. Sake brewed in Nagano prefecture is uniquely diverse thanks to the bountiful gift of nature, the home-grown sake rice varieties, and the innovative development of yeast. The seasoned craft of Tōji from Nagano contributes in no small part to the creation of a wide range of premium sake of this region.

The tasting will be preceded by a tour of the Filliers Distillery, guided by Master Brewer and Production & Site Director Filip Waelkens.

Discover with us the delicious world where fermentation meets distillation.

Program

15:00	Registration
15:15	Welcome words by Koh Ichi Masaki, Head of European Affairs, JMA, and BJA Cultural Committee Chair,
	followed by introduction speech by Bart Cnudde, CEO, Filliers Distillery
15:30	Guided tour of 3 distilleries and 2 maturation warehouses by Filip Waelkens, Production & Site Director, Filliers Distillery
16:45	Sake tasting of 4 types of Nagano sake, accompanied by some finger foods, presented by
	Yuya Muramatsu, Toji of Hokko Masamune and translated by Azumi Tamaoka & Annabelle Maes of Kaori Tea & Spices
18:00	Event adjourns

Participants are welcome to purchase Nagano sake as well as Filliers Distillery products on the spot.

There is also an opportunity to have dinner at the Bachtecafe nearby after the event. If you would like to dine there, kindly arrange your own reservation.

Fees:

BJA Members: 45 €
Non members: 70 €

Please make your reservation latest by 23 May 2023.
Registrations are made automatically upon completion of the online form, on a first come, first served basis.
Do not hesitate to invite your colleagues and friends.
Cancellations are accepted until 11am on 26 May 2023. After this date, the fees will be charged.