Asahi Shuzo Co., renowned for its premium Dassai sake, has unveiled a pioneering plan to brew rice wine on the International Space Station (ISS) in 2025, marking the first step in its audacious vision of brewing on the moon. The Iwakuni-based sake producer, in collaboration with Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Ltd. and the Aichi Center for Industry and Science Technology, will launch rice, koji mold, and yeast to the ISS next year. This marks a groundbreaking experiment in both the world of brewing and space exploration, as reported by The Asahi Shimbun.

The company’s ambition doesn’t stop at the ISS. Asahi Shuzo's ultimate goal is to establish a sake brewery on the moon, using lunar water to create its signature Dassai sake. "Our ultimate goal is to brew Dassai on the moon using water found there," a spokesperson for the company said, underlining the long-term vision of lunar colonisation.

The project will use Japan's Kibo module on the ISS to initiate the fermentation process. Astronauts will mix the ingredients with water, setting the stage for a unique brewing experience in microgravity. The mixture will then undergo automated stirring and alcohol-level monitoring, before being frozen and returned to Earth. This moromi, or unrefined sake, will be used to create a single 100-millilitre bottle of "Dassai MOON–Space Brew."

This limited-edition bottle, which will carry a price tag of JPY100mn (about $653,000), is expected to capture the public’s imagination. All proceeds will go towards supporting domestic space development projects, reinforcing Japan’s commitment to advancing space technology. Asahi Shuzo believes that sake, due to the lighter weight and lower water content of rice compared to grapes, makes a more viable experiment than winemaking in space.

By venturing beyond Earth's atmosphere, Asahi Shuzo aims to explore new frontiers for brewing while also contributing to the development of space-related technologies. The ambitious project signals a bold future where space exploration and traditional craftsmanship converge, bringing sake brewing to the stars and potentially beyond.