Premium Sake Manufacturer To Build Brewery In Hudson Valley

HYDE PARK, NY — The Culinary Institute of America has signed an agreement with Asahi Shuzo Co. to build its first U.S. brewery in Hyde Park, less than a mile from the CIA campus. Asahi Shuzo, maker of Dassai premium Junmai Daiginjo sake, will become the first Japanese sake producer to come to the East Coast.

Under the agreement, Asahi Shuzo will collaborate with the CIA to further the education and awareness of sake in the United States.

According to a spokesman, culinary institute will develop curriculum certification programs, workshops and special events and tastings.

“The Asahi Shuzo Company is a leader in its field, carefully combining both tradition and cutting-edge technology to craft its premium quality beverage,” says CIA President Dr. Tim Ryan. “We are honored that they chose to build their first U.S. operation in the CIA's backyard, and look forward to a long and fruitful relationship.”

Asahi Shuzo Chairman Hiroshi Sakurai said his company wanted to differentiate itself from other sake brewers when it was looking for a site for its first U.S. brewery.

“The proximity to the CIA, located in the heart of the Hudson Valley, is an ideal fit. We are excited to cultivate this new relationship,” he said.

The CIA and Asahi Shuzo will seek research and development opportunities to identify ways in which sake and the by-product from the sake-making process can be used to expand food flavors and culinary techniques, along with the potential for new lines of sake-based products.

The brewery will be located at the corner of Route 9 and St. Andrew’s Road. Construction will begin in the spring, with a scheduled opening in early 2019.

It will be 52,500 square feet, including a retail space, and will be open for public tours.

Several company employees will be relocated from Japan to the Hudson Valley, but the facility will create at least 32 new local jobs.

At full capacity, the brewery will produce 332,000 gallons of sake a year.

The company is investing more than $28 million dollars in the project.

Dutchess County Executive Marcus Molinaro said he was excited that Asahi Shuzo choose the county for the location of the new brewery.

“From fine food, to craft beer, wines and distilled spirits, Dutchess County has become a food and beverage destination,” he said.

“Now, CIA students and visitors alike will have firsthand access to a working sake brewery,” Molinaro said. “The economic impact through this project, with the addition of new jobs and increased tourism, will not only benefit Hyde Park, but all the surrounding communities.”

Photo caption: Dr. Tim Ryan (center), president of the Culinary Institute of America, shares a sake toast with Chairman Hiroshi Sakurai (right) and President Kazuhiro Sakurai of Asahi Shuzo to celebrate a new agreement between the CIA and the Japanese sake producer. Translator Mariko Kalister looks on. Photo credit: CIA/Phil Mansfield.