Brooklyn Kura: Where Japanese Tradition Meets American Craft
Brooklyn Kura: Where Japanese Tradition Meets American Craft
In the evolving world of sake, a new chapter is being written, not in Japan, but in Brooklyn. Brooklyn Kura is at the forefront of the American craft sake movement, blending centuries-old Japanese brewing tradition with a distinctly modern New York perspective. Founded in 2016 and officially opened in 2018, the brewery is redefining what sake can be while honoring the foundations that have shaped it for more than 1,000 years.
At Sushi Ii, we are proud to feature a curated selection of Brooklyn Kura’s expressions, each one showcasing the harmony between Japanese technique and American innovation.
A New Tradition Rooted in Heritage
Brooklyn Kura’s philosophy is grounded in respect for tradition while embracing experimentation. Every sake is brewed in New York City using high-quality ingredients and time-honored methods, including the cultivation of their own koji. A defining element of their craft is their long-term partnership with Hakkaisan Brewery, one of Japan’s most respected sake producers. This collaboration ensures technical precision while allowing Brooklyn Kura the creative freedom to explore new styles, ingredients, and expressions, resulting in sake that feels both familiar and entirely new.
Brooklyn Kura at Sushi Ii
Blue Door – Junmai Namazake
Blue Door offers a bold and expressive take on unpasteurized sake. As a namazake, it is not pasteurized, which preserves its natural liveliness, freshness, and vibrant texture. This also means the sake retains more of its original fermentation character, resulting in a slightly more dynamic and energetic profile that evolves in the glass. Brewed from a blend of Calrose and Yamada Nishiki rice and fermented at slightly warmer temperatures, it develops a full-bodied, earthy profile with a dry, umami-driven character. Subtle notes of ripe melon round out the palate, making it an excellent pairing for richer dishes such as toro, uni, or soy-marinated fish.
Number Fourteen – Junmai Ginjo Namazake
Crafted with a cold, slow fermentation, Number Fourteen highlights precision and freshness. Like Blue Door, it is a namazake, meaning it retains a bright, energetic quality and a sense of immediacy on the palate. Without pasteurization, its aromatics feel more lifted and expressive, giving the sake a crisp, almost just-brewed character. This sake is clean, light, and focused, with a distinctly dry finish that lingers delicately. Its bright profile makes it a natural companion for delicate sashimi, oysters, or lightly seasoned seafood, where its freshness enhances rather than overpowers.
Grand Prairie – Junmai Ginjo Namachozo
Made from 100 percent Yamada Nishiki rice milled to 60 percent, Grand Prairie is a study in restraint and balance. As a namachozo, it is pasteurized only once after storage rather than twice, a method that allows it to maintain a fresher, more lifted character while still offering stability and structure. This single pasteurization preserves subtle aromatics and a gentle vibrancy that sits between the liveliness of namazake and the polish of fully pasteurized sake. Brewed with a single modern yeast strain, it delivers a dry, light-bodied profile accented by a soft note of honeysuckle. Elegant and understated, it pairs beautifully with white fish and vegetable-forward dishes.
Catskills – Junmai Daiginjo
Precision defines Catskills, a Junmai Daiginjo brewed at low fermentation temperatures to preserve delicacy and aromatics. The result is a sake that is refined, soft, and luxurious, offering a clean and polished drinking experience. This is a sake meant to be savored alongside the most delicate cuts of fish or simply on its own.
Occidental – Dry-Hopped Junmai
Pushing the boundaries of tradition, Occidental is a truly unique expression. After fermentation, the sake is gently dry-hopped, introducing aromatic complexity more commonly associated with craft beer. The result is bright, aromatic, and dry, with layers of tropical fruit and floral hop character. Light-bodied yet expressive, Occidental pairs well with both sushi and more unexpected flavors, offering a fresh perspective on sake.
A New Expression of Sake at Sushi Ii
Brooklyn Kura represents the future of sake, one that respects its origins while embracing creativity and place. These expressions reflect a dialogue between cultures. Japanese craftsmanship meets New York’s spirit of innovation.
Brooklyn Kura redefines sake for a new generation while maintaining the integrity of the craft, offering a compelling introduction to what modern sake can be. At Sushi Ii, this philosophy aligns seamlessly with our own approach, honoring tradition while continually evolving.