Sake Master Ayaka Ito: Bringing the Art of Sake to San Diego

Born in Nagoya, Japan, Ayaka Ito's global journey began at 16, taking her to Canada, Hawaii, and South Korea. It was during her volunteer work in Miyagi after The Great Eastern Japan Earthquake that Ayaka discovered her passion for sake, captivated by the rich traditions of her homeland. This led her to pursue certification as a Sake Master, a goal she achieved in 2014. Driven by curiosity, Ayaka visited numerous sake breweries across Japan, deepening her expertise. Now, as a leading sake authority in Southern California, Ayaka co-founded Beshock three years ago to share her deep appreciation for sake with San Diego, where she continues to tell the story of sake through each carefully selected pour.

Beshock's Commitment to Sake Excellence

Beshock is dedicated to offering an extraordinary sake experience, which is why we have invested in the advanced training of our staff. Several of our servers have completed the Certified Sake Professional program under the esteemed John Gauntner, ensuring they possess a deep understanding of sake's nuances. This expertise allows them to provide insightful recommendations and enhance your appreciation of our carefully curated sake selection. At Beshock, we aim to make each sip not just a taste but an exploration of the rich cultural history behind Japan’s national beverage.

Sake at Its Finest, Served at the Right Temperature

Many assume that only chilled or slightly warm sakes offer the best quality, but sake can be enjoyed across a spectrum of temperatures. Each temperature brings out different qualities in the sake, creating a unique experience. At Beshock, we ensure that our warm and hot sakes are served at their optimal temperatures to maximize flavor.

30℃ (86°F): Hinata-Kan – Sunbathing Temperature

35℃ (95°F): Hitohada-Kan – Body Temperature

40℃ (104°F): Nuru-Kan – Lukewarm Temperature

45℃ (113°F): Jo-Kan – Warmer Temperature

50℃ (122°F): Atsu-Kan – Hot Temperature, the standard in the USA

55-60℃ (131-140°F): Tobikiri-Kan – Exceptionally Hot Temperature

Crafting the Perfect Sake Experience

At Beshock, we take pride in offering a sake experience that is as thoughtful as it is delicious. Recognizing that the vessel can significantly influence the enjoyment of sake, we’ve selected specific glasses to complement each type. Instead of the common shot glass, which can encourage quick consumption, we invite our guests to savor the intricate flavors by using wine glasses for aromatic, mellow sakes. Champagne flutes are employed to accentuate the crispness and smoothness of certain varieties, while traditional sakes are served in Masu Boxes, allowing you to enjoy both the sake’s taste and the Hinoki wood’s gentle infusion, offering an authentic and immersive experience.

Celebrating Sake Beyond Beshock

Our passion for sake extends beyond our carefully curated selections. We are proud to be part of a vibrant sake culture in San Diego, which includes the annual San Diego Sake Festival. This event, organized by the San Diego Sake Club, offers a unique opportunity to explore over 100 varieties of sake from Japan and local American breweries. It's a celebration of Japanese tradition, bringing together sake enthusiasts, cultural performances, and delicious pairings. The festival highlights the broader appreciation of sake in our community, and we invite you to join in this celebration of Japan’s national drink. For more details, visit the San Diego Sake Club (https://sandiegosakeclub.com/).