In this episode of The Izakaya Happy Hour Podcast, host Samuel Boulton sits down with sake translator and educator Arline Lyons, and sake importer and educator Erika Haigh, to explore the world of sake and shochu courses.

Together, they share their must-do courses, what you can expect to learn, and their personal opinions on where to start if you’re considering formal education in sake or shochu. From beginner-friendly introductions to more advanced certifications, this conversation lays out the pathways available for anyone looking to deepen their knowledge.

This episode sets the stage for a follow-up where we’ll break down each course in detail, from content to pricing and beyond. So you can find the right fit for your journey.

Whether you’re a drinks professional, a brewer, or simply passionate about Japanese beverages, this discussion is packed with insights to help you navigate the world of sake and shochu learning.

Join the Conversation:

Have you taken a sake or shochu course? Which one helped you the most? Let us know on social @theizakayahappyhour or drop us a message!

In this tasty little episode of Cam & Sam Talks, Camilla gets her first spoonfuls of Gelato San, Sam’s brand new Japanese-inspired ice cream ! 🍨🇯🇵

Tune in as Cam blind-tastes a range of unique flavours, reacts in real-time, and the duo chats about:

• ​ What makes Gelato San different
• ​ Flavour inspiration from Japanese sweets and culture
• ​ The magic (and madness) of launching a new food brand

Short and sweet, this episode is a must-listen for foodies, Japan lovers, and anyone who’s curious about creative small-batch desserts.

Episode 1 - Cam & Sam Talks Holidays!

Welcome to the very first episode of Cam & Sam Talks a new mini-series from The Izakaya Happy Hour Podcast.

In these shorter, 20-ish minute episodes, your hosts Camilla Bonnannini and Samuel Boulton catch up on all things they love: Japanese food, drink, culture, travel, news… or just whatever’s on their minds.

This time? It’s all about Japan travel plans! Both Sam and Cam are heading to Japan later this year with their partners, who’ll be experiencing the country for the first time.

In this relaxed, personal chat, they discuss:

• The cities they’re planning to visit

• Sake breweries at the top of their lists

• What their partners are most excited about

• Bars spots they can’t wait to visit or try for the first time

• How it feels to return to Japan with fresh eyes, and new company

If you’re planning your first (or next!) Japan trip, love sake, or just enjoy travel talk with good vibes, this one’s for you.

In this episode of The Izakaya Happy Hour Podcast, hosts Samuel Boulton and Camilla Bonnannini are joined by special guest Adam Smith-Hopesdale, a devoted fan of Japanese sake, though not a professional in the industry.

Together, they dive into an insightful conversation about how Japanese sake is perceived, marketed, and ultimately sold outside Japan. With Sam and Camilla offering expertise from within the industry, and Adam providing a candid consumer perspective, this episode bridges both sides of the market to uncover what really works (and what doesn’t) when it comes to promoting sake globally.

Whether you’re in the drinks trade, a sake brewer, or just curious about the sake scene, this episode is packed with ideas, opinions, and practical takeaways.

Join the Conversation:

What’s your experience selling or discovering sake? Let us know on social @theizakayahappyhour or drop us a message!

The Izakaya Happy Hour Podcast – Episode 13: Fun & Novelty Packaging in the Sake Industry

Welcome back to The Izakaya Happy Hour Podcast! In this episode, hosts Samuel Boulton (@boultononbooze), Arline Lyons (@tastetranslation), and Sarah Stewart (@sakestudies) dive into the wild and wonderful world of fun and novelty packaging in the sake industry.

From anime collaborations to seasonal releases and zodiac-themed bottles, sake makers are constantly coming up with creative ways to capture our attention—and our taste buds!

What’s in this episode?

🍶 Attack on Titan sake?! – How anime collaborations are bringing new fans to the world of sake.

🍶 The “Fu Fighters” effect – When bands, brands, and brewers join forces for unique releases.

🍶 Seasonal and zodiac sake – Limited-edition designs for the Lunar New Year and beyond.

🍶 Sake for spectacle wearers – A quirky concept where only those with glasses can enjoy the drink.

Whether you’re a sake enthusiast, a packaging design lover, or just here for the offbeat finds, this episode is packed with unique bottles, clever marketing, and unexpected collaborations.

Grab your favorite sake and join us for another round of Izakaya Happy Hour! Kanpai! 🥂

🎧 Listen now and follow us for more:

📢 Samuel Boulton – @boultononbooze

📢 Arline Lyons – @tastetranslations

📢 Sarah Stewart – @sakestudies

Meet The Team with Samuel Boulton 🎙️🍸

In this special episode of The Izakaya Happy Hour podcast, we switch things up as Erika Haigh takes the hosting spot to interview our regular host, Samuel Boulton! 🍶✨

Samuel Boulton is one of the leading drinks developers, bartenders, and consultants in the UK. Himself and his bars have received multiple accolades from prestigious organisations such as CLASS, Imbibe, Drinks Trust, Healthy Hospo, and the renowned Tales of the Cocktail. Currently, Sam works as a consultant specialising in Japanese drinks, collaborating with both local and global bars and brands.

As the founder of The Sake Events Company, the UK’s largest sake-focused event company, Sam’s putting sake on the map in the UK. In addition to his work in the drinks space, Sam is also an author. His first book, The Vermouth Ambassadors Guide to Modern Drinking (2021), explored the modern world of vermouth, and his latest release, The Art of Mixing Koji Cocktails (2023), brings new insight into the use of Sake & Shochu in cocktail creation.

In this episode, Erika delves into Sam’s journey, from bartender to drinks consultant and author. They discuss his love for Japanese beverages, the growing sake scene in the UK, and the creative process behind his thinking. Whether you’re a sake enthusiast or just curious about the world of cocktails, this episode is packed with inspiration and expert insights! 🍸✨

Books:

• The Vermouth Ambassadors Guide to Modern Drinking (2021)

• The Art of Mixing Koji Cocktails (2023)

Samuel’s Businesses:

• The Sake Events Company

• Kokushu Creative - www.kokushu.info

Social

Instagram: @Boultononbooze

🎙️ Breaking News Special!

Join host Samuel Boulton as he sits down with expert Arline Lyons for a momentous episode of The Izakaya Happy Hour. Today, December 5, we celebrate the Traditional Knowledge and Skills of Sake-Making with Koji Mold being officially inscribed on UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.

Together, Samuel and Arline explore what this means for sake and us as educators.

Whether you’re a sake connoisseur or curious about cultural heritage, tune in now and raise a glass to history in the making! 🍶✨

🎙️🍶 Sparkling Sake? With Martin Litt 🇯🇵✨

In this episode of The Izakaya Happy Hour Podcast, host Samuel Boulton is joined by co-hosts Erika Haigh, Sarah Stewart, and Camilla Bonnannini for an exciting deep dive into the world of sparkling sake! We’re thrilled to welcome special guest Martin Litt, a wine specialist who’s new to sake, as he shares his unique perspective on the vibrant flavors and versatility of sparkling sake. 🍾✨

Together, the panel discusses the expanding market for sparkling sake, its similarities and differences to traditional sparkling wines, and the ideal occasions for enjoying these effervescent beverages. Tune in to hear insider tips on pairing sparkling sake with food, creative cocktail ideas, and recommendations for both beginners and connoisseurs alike! 🥂🍶

Products Mentioned

• Bullet for My Valentine Mead

• Mio

• Akashi-Tai Sparkling

• Shichiken Sparkling

• John by Kaigetsu

• The Sparkling Sake Company

• Yonetsuru Rosé Sparkling

• Odayaka Sparkling

• Chikuha Binnai Koh Hakko Junmai

• Alain Ducasse Sparkling by Shichiken

• Mutsu Hassen Sparkling Sake

• Aramasa

💡 Links and Resources:

• ⁠The Sparkling Sake Company⁠

• ⁠Akashi-Tai⁠

• ⁠Yonetsuru⁠

• ⁠Shichiken⁠

Be sure to join us for this fun and informative episode, perfect for anyone curious about sake or looking to discover their next favorite sparkling drink! 🍾