Saké (pronounced sah-kay) is a clear alcoholic beverage made from fermented rice which contains about 16 percent alcohol. In English, saké is translated as "rice wine," however it is not actually wine since it is not made from grapes. Like beer it is made from grain and is brewed, however, it is not carbonated. Saké, like wine, has many different varieties and is evaluated by its quality and grade. There are more than 10,000 different brands of sake that can be distinguished by subtle differences in ingredients and the specific brewing process. There is one type of saké, called amazake which is non-alcoholic and is enjoyed by young and old alike.
    
The history of saké in Japan dates back to the fourth century and is steeped in religious and ceremonial tradition. There is an entire culture associated with the making, serving and drinking of saké which has been a part of Japanese life for hundreds of years as well as an important part of Japanese heritage.