# Canned Japanese Spirits Small Sake Simplifies the Traditional Alcoholic Beverage for Modern Times By Meghan Young | Published 2013-03-05 | Lifestyle Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/small-sake References: [coolhunting](http://www.coolhunting.com/food-drink/small-sake.php) & [smallsake](http://www.smallsake.com/our-sake/) With different cultural experiences at people's fingertips nowadays, it's not surprising that companies are looking to brand products in a way that stays true to their origins while being universally understood and recognized; [Small Sake](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/kimchi-pouches) is one of the products. When sushi took the Western world by storm, so did the [traditional Japanese spirit](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/sake-ono-junmai-daiginjo). Instead of struggling to remember one's favorite brand, Hong Kong-based Swede Pontus Karlsson decided to simplify matters with Small Sake. A quality drink that does away with ceremony, Small Sake is brewed in Nara Prefecture, Japan's Kansai area, from Hitomebore rice that has had 30% of the rice polished away. [Packaged in a cute can](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/akashi-tai-junmai-ginjo), Small Sake has a pale silver hue with notes of nuts and tropical frui ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 1.8/10 - Popularity: 18% | Activity: 28% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 70% men, 30% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America, Europe ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Lifestyle](https://www.trendhunter.com/lifestyle) > [Drinking](https://www.trendhunter.com/drinking) ## Key Themes ### Why This Trend Is Growing - **Canned Alcoholic Beverages:** Companies are simplifying traditional alcoholic beverages by packaging them in cans, offering convenience and portability while still retaining the quality of the original product. - **Simplifying Cultural Experiences:** Brands are simplifying and packaging cultural experiences to create a product that is universally recognized, creating a bridge between different cultures. - **Quality Drinks Without the Ceremony:** Small Sake and other brands are disrupting the traditional ceremonial approach to alcoholic beverages, instead focusing on providing high-quality drinks in a portable and convenient manner. ### Industries Being Reshaped - **Alcoholic Beverages:** The alcoholic beverage industry is shifting towards offering convenient and portable options without losing quality in the process. - **Packaging Industry:** Brands are looking for innovative packaging solutions to create products that are easy to transport and store, while still remaining visually appealing and reflecting their origins. - **Cultural Tourism Industry:** By packaging cultural experiences in an accessible and universally-recognized manner, brands are creating opportunities for tourists to more easily explore and learn about different cultures. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Canned Sake Drinks](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/sake-drinks.md) - [Bubbly Canned Sakes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/summerfall.md) - [On-the-Go Canned Sake](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/wesake.md) - [Sweet Sake Wines](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/sweet-sake-wine.md) - [Contemporary-Traditional Japanese Beverages](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/kay-sake.md) - [Canned Sparkling Sakes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/sparkling-sake.md) - [Sake-Based Beverages](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/oishii-sake-spritz.md) - [Canned Sake Cocktails](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/sakebomb.md) - [Sessionable Sake Beverages](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/snow-monkey-sake-remix.md)