Singapore's 1st Sake Samurai - Adrian Goh

A "Sake Samurai" is a person who cherishes sake and promotes Japanese culture globally.

The Sake Samurai Association, formed by the Japan Sake Brewers Association in 2006, honours individuals for their exceptional contributions to promoting and preserving sake and Japanese culture globally. Each year, 3 to 5 individuals are awarded the title, committing to love sake and Japanese culture, deepen their understanding of sake, and share it worldwide with pride.

Adrian Goh is the first Southeast Asian to receive this honour among only 40 non-Japanese recipients out of 101 total Sake Samurai recognized.

Adrian's journey with sake began in 2013 when he took over Inter Rice Asia., a Japanese alcohol distributor in Singapore. Focusing exclusively on sake, he faced initial challenges but grew passionate about it, seeking knowledge through courses in Singapore and Japan. Over time, he visited more than 130 sake breweries worldwide and completed numerous sake-related certifications, including being the first Singaporean to pass the Japan Sommelier Association's Sake Diploma in 2022.

In 2018, Adrian co-founded Sake Matsuri Singapore, a festival dedicated to making sake accessible and enjoyable in a casual setting. The event has grown significantly, attracting thousands of visitors and offering over 350 sakes for tasting. Beyond the festival, Adrian also runs events under the Sake Matsuri umbrella, including Sake Social and the Singapore Sake Awards.

Adrian has been an active participant in international sake competitions, serving as a judge and contributing to the global sake community. In 2019, he became a sake consultant for The Japan Food Product Overseas Promotion Center (JFOODO), working on campaigns like "Seafood Loves Sake" and serving as a Japanese Alcoholic Beverage Export Coordinator for Japan's National Tax Agency.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Adrian quickly adapted by launching online sake sessions, connecting enthusiasts with breweries through virtual tours and masterclasses. His efforts earned him the WSET and IWSC Future 50 Award in 2019, recognizing his contributions to the global alcohol trade.

Looking ahead, Adrian aims to strengthen ties between Singapore and Japan's alcohol industry by establishing an association to facilitate greater access to Japanese breweries and distilleries.