Inside St. Louis’ Sake Boom with Darryl Vennard

If your idea of sake has anything to do with shots of warm, rocket-fuel tasting beverage at a hibachi restaurant or sake bombs at the frat house, Darryl Vennard has news for you. For 25 years, the longtime wine and spirits professional has been setting the scene for a sake boom in St. Louis that has really taken off since 2020. In this episode of Arch Eats, George and Cheryl get the inside scoop on this surprisingly healthy beverage that is showing up on drink menus beyond the area’s Japanese restaurants thanks to its food-friendly characteristics. They also dispel several myths, including the notion that sake must be served warm. Whether you’re a sake aficionado or a curious newcomer, you’ll walk away with a newfound appreciation for this multifaceted beverage. Listen and follow Arch Eats on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever podcasts are available. This episode is sponsored by St. Louis Symphony Orchestra. Don’t miss Playlist: Symphony Happy Hour, featuring a special spotlight on John Williams. Enjoy signature cocktails, conductor insights from Music Director Stéphane Denève and iconic music from Star Wars, E.T., and Close Encounters of the Third Kind. Happening on March 19 at Powell Hall, inside the Jack C. Taylor Music Center. Get tickets. New to podcasts? Follow these instructions to start listening to our shows, and hear what you’ve been missing! Want more? Check out all of St. Louis Magazine’s podcasts. Have an idea for a future Arch Eats episode? Send your thoughts or feedback by emailing podcasts@stlmag.com. Hungry for more? Subscribe to our Dining newsletters for the freshest coverage on the local restaurant and culinary scene. And follow George (@georgemahe) and SLM on Instagram (@stlouismag). Interested in being a podcast sponsor? Contact Lauren Leppert at lleppert@stlmag.com. Mentioned in this episode: The Country Club Bar & Grill: 288 Lamp & Lantern, Town & Country, 636-256-7201 Sweets by Sweet Waters: 10015 St. Charles Rock, St. Ann, 314-374-3307 Fukucho Moon on the Water (bottled sake) Vine Connections Sado: 5210 Shaw, The Hill, 314-390-2883 Kawatsuru Olive Junmai Ginjo (bottled sake) Bushido (canned sake) The Wine & Cheese Place: 195 Lamp & Lantern, Town & Country, 314-447-9463 Taberu STL (Heidi Hamamura) The Fountain on Locust: 3037 Locust, Midtown, 314-535-7800 Sasha’s Wine Bar: 706 DeMun, Clayton, 314-863-7274 Sake Events: Sake and Sakura, March 27 Japanese Festival at Missouri Botanical Garden, Septem