In addition to tasting more than 100 varieties of sake and exploring the many food, cultural and lifestyle exhibitors, visitors to Brisbane Sake Festival 2026 can also enjoy a series of educational seminars included with festival admission.

Led by recognised sake professionals, these beginner-friendly sessions offer practical tips, tasting insights and a deeper understanding of Japanese sake culture.

Below is the Seminar Program:

🍶Enjoying Sake at Home Seminar with Simone Maynard

Join Sake Samurai Simone Maynard for a practical and approachable seminar packed with tips to help you enjoy sake at home.

Learn about sake basics, serving styles, storage, and easy food pairing ideas that you can try for yourself. Whether you’re completely new to sake or looking to build your confidence, this session will give you plenty of inspiration for your next sake experience.

Session times:

Friday 19 June: 7:10pm
Saturday 20 June: 12:00pm & 4:00pm
Sunday 21 June: 12:00pm & 4:00pm

🍷Sake vs Wine Seminar with Matt Froude

Winemaker and sake brewer Matt Froude (Municipal Wine & Sake) takes the stage for this engaging presentation and discussion.

Wine and sake need not compete — they complement each other, and both deserve a place at the table.

Join Matt for an insightful session where you’ll taste two distinct styles of sake, explore the processes behind making both wine and sake, discover ideal food pairings, and learn about the unique differences, as well as the surprising similarities, between these two remarkable beverages.

Session times:

Friday 19 June: 8:00pm
Saturday 20 June: 12:30pm & 5:00pm
Sunday 21 June: 1:00pm & 5:00pm

Free to attend for Brisbane Sake Festival ticket holders. Places are limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis.