A proper sake event doesn’t come around often — and this one’s loaded. On Monday, June 23rd, from 6-9pm, a handful of Japan’s most respected breweries are landing at the Fairmont Waterfront for Lightning Strike, a rare one-night-only tasting designed to give locals direct access to top-shelf producers who don’t typically export this far.

Each of the five participating breweries (see below) will be sharing a selection of bottles that reflect their distinct philosophy, technique, and regional expressions, with the makers on-hand to share context behind every pour. Expect sake, shōchū, and gin, including premium and limited releases that usually stay close to home.

Tickets are $68 each, including five tastings (one from each brewery) plus an ochoko cup to take home and five tastings. Want to go deeper? Additional tasting sets are available to purchase the day-of: five regular pours for $25; or five premium-level pours for $50. Apropos to its name, Lightning Strike isn’t the kind of event that repeats very often (if ever)! And capacity is limited. Don’t sleep – get your tickets here now.

Brewer Profiles from event organizers:

Fairmont Waterfront

Neighbourhood: Downtown

900 Canada Place Way

604-691-1991

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