Tsunan Sake Brewery uses generative AI for rice-based sake development

Tsunan Sake Brewery presented its “Smart Brewing” initiative at the 78th Annual Meeting of the Japanese Society for Biotechnology. The company is utilizing customized generative AI to develop premium sake using Uonuma Koshihikari, a high-quality edible rice variety that is typically difficult to use for brewing due to its high starch and protein content.

The AI system operates as a domain-specific agent using Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG). It integrates academic research, company manufacturing logs, and local environmental data to assist brewers. This “Human-in-the-Loop” approach allows the AI to propose fermentation curves and temperature profiles, which master brewers then evaluate for scientific validity to prevent hallucinations.

This technology has already contributed to the development of the “GO GRANDCLASS Uonuma Koshihikari Edition,” which received awards at KURA MASTER 2024 and the Milano Sake Challenge 2025. The brewery is also exploring future applications, including brewing for lunar environments and utilizing sake lees for new materials.