The Sake Sommelier Association (SSA) is the oldest sake education provider outside of Japan. For over twenty years we have been fully committed to promoting global education and awareness of sake across the globe. The Sake Sommelier Association has three pillars: Education, Competition and Challenge.
The Sake Sommelier Academy represents the SSA’s Education pillar. Alongside our accredited partner schools, we have reached tens of thousands of students, guiding them along the SSA learning path. The Sake Sommelier Academy is the only independent international authority for Sake Sommelier® training. We teach our range of courses globally across six continents. We are proud to offer four accredited sake qualifications: Introductory Sake Professional, Certified Sake Sommelier, Advanced Sake Sommelier, and, the world’s highest Sake Sommelier® qualification, Master Sake Sommelier. We also offer the first intensive in-brewery course for aspiring sake brewers: Master of Sake.
The Sake Sommelier of the Year represents the SSA’s Competition pillar. The Sake Sommelier of the Year is an annual competition that aims to find the most skilful Sake Sommeliers bringing them to the attention of their customers and raising the profile of their establishments.
The Sake Challenge represents the SSA’s Challenge pillar. International Sake Challenges are dedicated to promoting sake and furthering its global standing. Sake breweries from around the world submit their sake to be judged on a global platform. Following a Sake Challenge, a Japan Life event takes place. This event is open to the public and aims to increase local awareness and popularity of sake.